[rhood]

Has anyone seen the group of white pelicans in the Summerhill pond on Woodridge? There is a group of maybe 35 or 40 of them swimming around the pond huddled up very close together. Interesting to watch as they all dip their bills into the water in unison to feed, almost like they are dancing or courting. We have been here 7 yrs and have never seen pelicans in this pond. They have been there for the past few days.

[BobnBev]

Hope they're not alligator food.

[cquick]

YES!! we saw them yesterday! We lived in the Amelia Villas there last winter, and I don't remember seeing them then.

We saw them all dip into the water at the same time, like sychronized swimming.....so funny!

[cathyw]

They come every year to the Summerhill pond and stay for 2-3 days. Then they continue their migration. I was there yesterday and saw the huge flock. Many more than the past few years. White pelicans are absolutely gorgeous. There was a woman there taking pictures with a very good camera, She said she would email me a few of her pictures. If she does, I'll post them here. She was visiting family here and was very impressed with the pelicans.

[buggyone]

The white pelicans are migrating through right now. It happens a couple of times during the year. I saw them in the Spring and posted about it. White pelicans are not native to this area as are the brown pelicans that are common on the Gulf coast and Atlantic coast.

The white pelicans are actually herding fish into a tight area and then dipping into the water to catch the fish. It is amazing that birds have evolved to work as a team to get their food.

[Xavier]

Originally Posted by rhood

Has anyone seen the group of white pelicans in the Summerhill pond on Woodridge? There is a group of maybe 35 or 40 of them swimming around the pond huddled up very close together. Interesting to watch as they all dip their bills into the water in unison to feed, almost like they are dancing or courting. We have been here 7 yrs and have never seen pelicans in this pond. They have been there for the past few days.

We saw them yesterday off the Recreation Trail behind the Lopez Country Club. I very knowingly told my wife that there was a bird convention going on. They certainly do stand out in a crowd.

Xavier

[Barefoot]

We also have them in a pond in Belvedere Village. They all huddle together on a tiny island. They are beautiful and I'll be sorry to see them leave.

[Bonny]

Hubby just called. There are several in the pond at El Diablo in Santiago.

[terrieb]

This morning hubby and I took our camera to the Summerhill pond and took some digital pictures. We got a few good pics of them. What a delight to watch.

[jebartle]

Thank you!

Originally Posted by terrieb

This morning hubby and I took our camera to the Summerhill pond and took some digital pictures. We got a few good pics of them. What a delight to watch.

[graciegirl]

Wow. I wish I could take a class on all of the birds and creatures who live here or visit here.

Astonishing.

Thank you developers for putting the ponds on the courses and the trees too. What a beautiful place this is.

[cathyw]

Originally Posted by terrieb

This morning hubby and I took our camera to the Summerhill pond and took some digital pictures. We got a few good pics of them. What a delight to watch.

Can you please post a few of your pictures here ?
Thanks.

[Irish Rover]

The white pelicans were at the Lake of the Ozarks in early November. They stayed a while and then were suddenly gone. Last year they were here for over a month. Unfortunately one of the younger ones was left behind but we can't find him/her now. They are fun to watch.

[villager]

Saw a few of them today at the Nancy Lopez pond by the driving range. They were absolutely beautiful!

[Villages Kahuna]

On several occasions I've observed a huge flock of the white pelicans on a small island several miles off Cedar Key. I was visiting with a local naturalist-guide, who explained the following...

• The white pelican is the largest bird indigenous to the U.S.
• They migrate from warmer climes each year to 'summer' in the upper midwest and Canada.
• They don't like close access to people. You will seldom find them staying close to humans for very long.
• Occasionally, a few white pelicans don't join the migration north. They almost always have a bump on their beaks, indicating they are juveniles. Our guide explained that they have not matured sufficiently to get the urge to migrate and mate.