Snapshot of a bunch of pelicans cuddled on a protruding rock in Panama Bay, Panama. This place is near where the third phase of the Coastal Strip is being built. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

It was a beautiful sunny morning – almost too sunny for some pictures, but it felt good to be outside.

Pelicans April 26

Pelicans April 26

Pelicans April 26

Pelicans April 26

Pelicans April 26

Pelicans April 26

Pelicans April 26

Pelicans April 26

Pelicans April 26

Pelicans April 26

Pelicans April 26

Pelicans & Cormorant April 26

Pelicans April 26

Pelicans April 26

Pelicans April 26

Pelicans April 26

Pelicans April 26

Pelicans April 26

Pelicans April 26

Pelicans & Cormorant April 26

Pelicans & Cormorant April 26

I got more pictures of other birds – but those will wait until tomorrow. 

I’m heading back to Africam – see you there.

We are boarding a ship tomorrow and crossing the Sargasso Sea. The crossing will take nine days. The Sargasso Sea is the only ocean bounded entirely by powerful gyrating currents. The last time we crossed it, we saw no other ship for nine days. When crossing out of the Sargasso Sea towards Africa, and passing through this intense current, marine life is incredibly rich and abundant, especially whales. I hope to be able to photograph them for you!
I will be able to blog but still inconsistently once I am back on land. We will be traveling for quite awhile, so please know that if I am not reading your posts, or posting, it is because I cannot. I will try to whenever possible. Know that when I return, I will resume as normal and hopefully have much to share and learn from you!

I will miss reading your fascinating posts, but will catch up on them when I return. Until then , Cheers fron Ft. Lauderdale!

In between the constant swaying in the waves and the intense light from the moon bouncing off the clouds, water, and white boat there was very little sleep. Definitely worth the loss, I’m in San Ignacio right now, able to lazily catch up. Tomorrow I will maybe see some old human skeletons encased in calcite or tube through caves. Tikal is very close across the border in Guatemala and that is possibly on the horizon as well. Here’s a few photos from the sail and the landing in Dangriga.

The linger around the dock where the locals clean the fish. More like a pack of street dogs than pigeons.

Red River (and Geese) April 25

Red River April 25

Canada Geese April 25

Canada Geese April 25

Pelican April 25

You will hopefully be seeing more Pelican pictures in the next couple of days.  Lockport, here I come.

We are supposed to get temperatures in the double digits (finally) starting this weekend.  That should get rid of a lot of the remaining snow. 

Now that it is finally spring here, they are heading into winter in South Africa.  The rains have almost stopped and the water in the bush is drying up.  The critters will be coming to the waterholes more which means more activity for us to watch on Africam. 

I first began watching birds, in an informal way, when we lived in Illinois.  Our home was in a rural area that was surrounded more and more by development and highways.  I fell in love with the setting and so was willing to commute to school and/or work in other places for many years: Glen Ellyn, DeKalb, and Chicago.  When a nearby field was given a sidewalk, I rejoiced because it was getting harder and harder to cross the highway for my long walks.  But the day I saw the tractors getting ready to develop the field, I was heartbroken.

HOWEVER, the result was beautiful.  A park was built so children had a safe place to play.  A school was built.  The saving grace was that the field included a small wetland, which became like a lake with a gravel path around it, with benches.  Native prairie plants were added.  The red-winged blackbirds and the herons arrived.  Signs explained that preserving wetlands kept water out of basements.

One year, here in Wisconsin, we saw a pelican stand by Lake Michigan for a long time.  It was another gift.  Then the pelican flew away.

These beautiful pictures are in the Public Domain and are courtesy of wpclipart.com.

I view and read blogs by some serious bird-watchers and learn so much.  Please add your links to the Comments, if you wish.

Karl has served on the Board of the Wisconsin Great Lakes Coalition for many years.  The link to their site is: http://www.wisconsingreatlakescoalition.org.

Pacific

Majestic ocean, so sublime;
Pacific wonder, clear azure.
Ever constant, its billowing,
Unveiling God’s splendid grandeur.

Serene sunset, glory ablaze;
Radiating beams, pure allure.
Spectacular hint of Your Light;
Reminiscent warmth to reassure.

Carlsbad, CA

Soaring scavengers, shrill seagulls;
Pelicans chasing down waves to glide.
Mirroring glimpses of our freedom,
Mounted with wings into the sky.

Shrill scavengers

Glancing heavenward, towering high,
Palms of stately, weather worn rings.
Waving branches, a sort once used
As welcome mats fit for a King.

Vast horizon, vanishing far;
Plunging fathoms, stretching so wide.
Ocean blue portrays Your greatness,
Resonates of Your loving tide.

California shoreline across the street from our hotel

“O LORD, how manifold are Thy works! In wisdom hast Thou made them all: the earth is full of Thy riches. So is this great and wide sea.”
Psalm 104:24, 25

I grew up in Florida along the gray Atlantic. Even though I still love the beaches in Florida, there is nothing like the shimmering blue of the Pacific. Both the poem and photos are memories of a wonderful trip my husband and I took to California this past week.

Hope you enjoy!
Sue

Post a quick surf, we had packed some fishing gear in the trailer, so we walked from the ocean side, through the mangroves to the river side where it was calm and children were playing with families grouped together enjoying the time out.

It was beautiful as we sat and waited for a bite and watched the sun slowly disappear. We had a pelican who just hung around, waiting for a potentially easy fish supper, but unfortunately the only thing biting at our fresh prawn was the little fish, next time they’ll be the bait and hopefully we’ll catch our supper. I had my camera with me luckily, just my Lumix, but I managed to get some lovely shots of the Pelican and the sunset.

Sunday we visited the local kayak club and went for a paddle on the river, something we haven’t done for 10 years or so since we have been living in West Wales, UK. The club is just down the hill from us, the people were warm, friendly and welcoming. We borrowed club boats, they were rather wobbly, well we were, apparently 10 years is a long time and you do loose the knack slightly. We’re now looking for some second hand kayaks so we can go whenever, it was great.

Later that afternoon we suddenly realised we were super hungry so we went for an early supper at Moolooloba THE local fishing port and seller of locally caught fish. We had the fish markets special, beer battered reef fish and chips** with tartare sauce as the sun was slowly sinking behind us.

All in all it was a water based weekend just chilling and enjoying stuff which totally made up for my Steve working the previous weekend.

**not as great as UK cod or Hadddock, fish and chips, just doesn’t compare.

Pelicans soaring on thermals near Le Claire, Iowa.

Sunrise in Port Aransas

With gas prices high and summer right around the corner you might be looking for an affordable place to take the family for a fun vacation.  Maybe you should consider a short road trip.  When I say short road trip, I mean approximately 4 hours from Austin, San Antonio or Houston, Texas.  That’s right! For less than two tanks of gas you can take your family for a fun filled holiday to Port Aransas, Texas (Port A).  Port Aransas is located on Mustang Island and is about 30 miles east of Corpus Christi.  It is connected by a 6 mile long causeway bridge.  Coming from the east, it is about 20 miles south of Rockport and accessible by a short free ferry ride.  For those of you who live too far away to drive, consider flying into the Corpus Christi International Airport (CRP) only 35 minutes away?

Short Ferry Boat Ride – check out the dolphins!

Port Aransas is a very small beach community of about 3,900 residents and covers about 12 square miles, 3.3 square miles of that covered by water.  Years ago it was highly rated as the best place for Tarpon fishing.  In fact, the town used to be called Tarpon, Texas.  In 1937, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt  traveled here to see if he could catch one for himself.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idMSHeZWEAs

Roosevelt was successful trip and his catch is documented by an autographed Tarpon scale currently on display in the lobby of The Tarpon Inn.  The Tarpon industry dried up some time in the 1950”s; however, fishing in general continues to be a favorite sport on the island.  Anglers are known to call Port A the “Fishing Capital of Texas.”  So if fishing is on your list of things to do this summer, whether it be surf fishing, deep sea fishing or fishing from one of four public, lighted piers, this is the place for you.

Wait for it …

What a catch! Now that’s what I call fishing!

Just another day at the beach

If you’re not into fishing, that’s okay.  Port Aransas has an abundance of other activities available for all ages.  Bird enthusiasts can catch a free guided birding tour every Wednesday 9:00 AM at the LeonabelleTurnbullBirdingCenter.  If the kids want to learn to surf, Quiksilver & Roxy offers weekly and daily summer surf camps, June – August.  If you’re into water sports or parasailing, head to the marina and visit Jet Ski Rental or Port A Parasail, and enjoy one or both of these two fun filled family activities.

Are you one of those vacationers that believe a vacation is not a vacation without a round of golf?  Well, you’re in luck.  Port Aransas is home of Newport Dunes Golf Club, an Arnold Palmer signature golf course which was ranked #2 in best high-end golf courses in the state of Texas and #2 in the United States by the National Golf Foundation in 2012.  So grab your golf clubs and hit the greens.  But if relaxing is the only thing on your “TO DO LIST” spend the day soaking up the sun or bike riding on one of the largest beaches on the Gulf Coast.

Consider ending your day with a Sunset Cruise – Dolphin Watch.  It is always a crowd pleaser and a nice way to wind down.  The whole family can enjoy this trip.  And don’t forget to bring your camera because Port Aransas dolphin’s love to show off.

Accommodations in this little town are plentiful.  You can find whatever type, size, or style lodging you prefer from camping in a tent on the beach or in an RV, to renting a condominium, hotel, motel, or single family home.  The choice is yours.  The same goes for dining and whatever your budget allows, from casual to upscale.  Breakfast, lunch or dinner – there is plenty to choose from.

Coffee Waves located on Hwy 361 in Port A’s answer to Starbuck’s.  The barista’s know their coffee and can whip up a “mean” café latte!  The atmosphere is relating and Wi-Fi is available.

For lunch, if you are interested in something besides the newly built Whataburger or Subway, check out a local favorite, Liberty Hall – Inferno, located on the corner of E. Cotter and N. Alister.  It is owned and operated by Chef Guy Carnathan.  His menu offers a wide variety of delicious burgers and sandwiches from Mississippi pulled pork to sushi grade tuna burgers.  Keep in mind when planning your visit – they are open Tues-Sun 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM.

If you enjoyed a delicious lunch at Inferno, then you don’t want to miss a fine dining experience at Guy’s dinner restaurant, The Pelican Club, which is located on the harbor.  It operates a full bar and fine wines are available.  The dinner menu offers a variety of choices including steak, specialty meats, seafood and sushi.  In addition, there is a menu change daily, depending on the available fresh catch of the day.  So if you’re in the mood to treat the family, The Pelican Club is an excellent choice.

Other local dinner options include Café Phoenix which serves Mediterranean food, prefers reservations (bring your own wine) or Venetian Hot Plate which serves delicious Italian cuisine.  Both are located on Beach  Ave.  Or you might visit Lisabella’s Bistro, located in Cinnamon Shore off 361.  They are open for dinner Tuesday-Saturday 5:00 PM.

To satisfy your shopping needs be sure and stop in at Gratitude located at  316 N Station St.  where you’ll find “Accessories with Attitude”  and be sure and tell Sally I said hello.

So that’s a wrap.  If you consider making Port Aransas a potential summer vacation spot or plan to travel there any other time of year, I promise you won’t be disappointed.  But don’t wait too long.  The secrets out!

http://www.portaransas.org/

Hope you enjoy the first post. It was initiated as a result of a recent ESPN article about Michael Jordan’s infamous “Flu Game” in the 1997 NBA Finals – http://espn.go.com/chicago/nba/story/_/id/9183990/michael-jordan-flu-game-was-really-food-poisoning-trainer-says

A: You know, looking back on all of the games that I have watched in my lifetime. And even reading or seeing highlights from older games, I still don’t think there is a performance that is better than the “Flu Game”. That might just be me, but given the circumstances can you name any individual performance that is better? LeBron’s Game 6 against Boston last year was unreal and that doesn’t even scratch the surface of the flu game. Great individual performance, but looked like a normal game compared to Jordan. Thoughts?

B: Best individual performance, perhaps in sports, ever. Period. To me, no debate. There have been many remarkable achievements in sports from a statistical perspective (and that wasn’t even MJ’s finest statistical performance, not even close), but from pure perseverance, domination and effort, nothing compares. You can’t quantify what he did in terms of numbers. The guy could barely walk, let alone run and exert energy and he performed like that!? Come on!

A: 1000% agree! The man was a walking legend, what he did in that game makes every other individual performance look like garbage. Food poisoning or flu, it doesn’t matter. To go out and drop 38 points in game 5 of a 2-2 NBA Championship series, on the road, sick as a dog, puking on the bench, and whatever else was going on, just makes you sit there and shake your head. He went out there and said, ‘you know, I might be sick, but this is the most important thing to me.’ And he proved it. Only thing that might come close to competing with it, is playing 90 holes with a torn ACL and a broken leg to win the US Open.

B: Ohhh yeah! I actually forgot about Tiger… that’s actually pretty impressive… maybe even more impressive… But I think I give MJ the edge, because the fact that he played a sport that required greater physical exertion… but then again, if Tiger had a broken leg and torn ACL and played basketball, he would have been unable to play, so the comparison is tough because the two “injuries” are just not comparable

But no argument, MJ’s performance greatest individual basketball achievement. Tiger’s performance was remarkable on so many levels as well. Great debate. Two of the finest athletes ever doing what they do best.

To a further point, I have a greater appreciation for MJ’s career and success now that he is retired. I rooted against him when he played. I think part of it is just reflecting on other great careers like Kobe’s and Lebron’s and realizing how precious and rare those types of players are.

A: Again, I agree. We don’t agree often but in this situation we do.

Anyways, The Pelicans officially exist! I actually like the logo. They made it look good considering it’s a pretty lame bird. What do you think?

B: Wow, actually a pretty sick logo! Good on them! Such a lame team name though… maybe it will grow on us…

Btw, MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES WHITEST TEAM IN BASKETBALL!!! Oh man its whiter than a Euro League team!!! Seriously, they have a guy names Chase, Luke and GREG STEIMSMA!

11 Jose Barea
10 Chase Budinger
33 Dante Cunningham
15 Mickael Gelabale
20 Chris Johnson
47 Andrei Kirilenko
8 Malcolm Lee
42 Kevin Love
14 Nikola Pekovic
13 Luke Ridnour
3 Brandon Roy
9 Ricky Rubio
1 Alexey Shved
34 Greg Stiemsma
7 Derrick Williams

A: I’m pretty sure they have a total of 3 black guys, and most of them are mocha. How does this even happen?? As for the Pelicans, the name will never grow on us, it’s beyond lame! But at least they can make it look cool!

>

B: I think Birdman should be the face of their franchise! Come on New Orleans make that signing happen!!!

A: I LOVE BIRDMAN!!!! Quickly becoming my 5th favourite player after Wade, LeBron, Bosh, Battier.

B: I’m assuming your somewhat kidding about your top 5 Miami Heat players… After Bosh, I’d say Ray Allen has to be in everyone’s top list. And what about Mr. Miami Heat himself, Udonis Haslem? Or Mike Miller? And how about Chalmers?? Not that I want you to list all your favourite Heat players…

Couple further thoughts on that list. I have a lot of respect for Haslem. He’s been through it all in Miami. I really don’t think he’s half the player he used to be, but makes up for it by looking mean as sh*t all the time and acting like he will kill anyone in his way. I’m going to pay the NBA to have a Kendrick Perkins vs. Udonis Haslem UFC style fight at half time of Game 1 of the 2013 NBA Finals… it would have an unbelievable effect on viewership, I’m positive of it.

Mike Miller… only thing to say about him is that he should be the co-captain of the Minnesota Timberwhitepeoples along with Greg Steimsma…

Mario Chalmers… heard an interesting debate about Chalmers’ impending free agent and his potential to leave the Heat for “greener” pastures by being somewhat of a go-to guy on a bad team. Does he take 6-7 million as a mid-level exception to be one of the best players on say the Pistons, or Pelicans or Suns? I think he might. He’s young, he’s got mad confidence, I actually think he believes he’s never has taken a bad shot and yet he probably feels abused by Wade and Lebron. But they have molded him into a half-decent NBA player, maybe capable of being a star on his own. If the Heat win the title, I think he leaves. 2 Championships and then a shot at lots of money and lots of personal career success is pretty inviting to most young players.

A: I am somewhat kidding about Birdman. I love the guy, don’t get me wrong, the excitement and fun he brings to the team is great. I got the pleasure of seeing him play in person in and I was up in the clouds watching, and the answer is yes, Birdman is terrifying in person. I think that’s why I like him, because I wouldn’t want to piss him off. Honestly, here is my list of current Miami Heat guys: Wade, Lebron, Bosh, Battier (Duke connection), Chalmers, Allen, Haslem, Birdman, the others are just kind of there. I feel for Miller, because they guy was great when he was younger, but I’m pretty sure he suffers from Greg Odenitis. He is ALWAYS hurt. Even when healthy he is hurt. Whether it’s a cough, or a cold, or a hangnail, something is always wrong with this guy. Which could be why he is perfect to be co-captain of Minnesota as him and Brandon Roy can swap injury stories! Too soon?

As much as I like Haslem, I think Perkins would ruin him. Perkins is a beast! He looks like his father was a truck and him mom was brick wall. Haslem is angry and probably fights dirty, but Perkins would knock him out with his pinky.

The thing about Chalmers is, in my opinion, he is underrated. Guy was drafted in the second round after he won the NCAA Tournament himself over Rose. Hit the big three to tie the game and clutch free throws to seal the victory. Don’t forget he had that great game in the Finals last year. He could be a start somewhere else, but what makes him good, is defenders worrying about Wade, Bosh, Lebron, Allen, Battier, Miller (when he plays) and all the other guys. Chalmers is streaky as hell. Love the guy for sure, and would miss him if he leaves, but he won’t have the same career on another team. Only averaging 8.4 ppg for his career, He’s like a Calderon but without the passing ability. He is an interesting fellow for sure, and I think Norris Cole could fill in nicely for him if he did leave. Unfortunately, for him I see his career not being as solid elsewhere. I hope he proves me wrong if he does go.

B: Well, that’s it for this post, folks. Good start to the blog. There will be many debates to be had in the future and we look forward to increasing the fan base and get some other people’s ideas about topics to discuss. Until next time, peace!

“Pelicans” Cubbie Station 2013. photo copyright: Russell Shakespeare

Right Click to take them away, edit them a little more, just don’t delete my name from the corner please! 

If you want to use them for something other than facebook ask first. 

These are all sized perfectly for use on facebook. To use these, first save them to your computer, then open up facebook.  

Go to your “wall” (that’s done by clicking on your photograph, you should only see stuff you have posted or other people shared directly with you there.) Hover over the big image on the top, that’s the cover image. You should see a little thing pop up that says “change cover image”.  Click that.then you locate the image on your computer and upload it. No resizing neccessary.

These will also be available at http://www.facebook.com/jamiedrakephoto in a few hours after this post.

Thanks for making me feel so loved!

I will try to add some more later in the week, so check back!

Brown Pelican Diving For Fish In The Gulf of California — Images by kenne

“It is not enough to understand the natural world; the point is to defend and
preserve it.” –Edward Abbey

Brown pelicans are the only pelican species that strictly inhabits marine habitats;
they are never found more than 20 miles out to sea or inland on fresh water.
They prefer shallow inshore waters such as estuaries and bays.

Related articles

• Seabird diets provide early warning of sardine fishery declines in the Gulf of California (scicombinator.com)
• Brown pelicans (retrieverman.net)

Hastings River, Port Macquarie.
Nice day to cruise around the wharf looking for breakfast/lunch/dinner.
I wonder if pelicans take pride in the size of their beaks or whether they’re mocked by other bird species at social gatherings…
“Hey pelican! Yeah, you. Your name wouldn’t happen to be ‘Bill’ would it?”
(laughter erupts around the party, led by the Kookaburras)

Photo Credits