Flapping and Fun: October 16, Part 3

Dread Pirate Roberts had finished her bath and moved slightly closer to the dock to finish grooming.

American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) flaps its wings at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

It’s the Dread Pirate Roberts show! Starring Dread Pirate Roberts! Watch Pirate stand!

American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) flaps its wings at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

Watch Pirate flap!

American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) standing in water at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

Watch Pirate show off her Halloween costume as a plague doctor!

American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) grooming at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

Watch Pirate groom!

American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) swimming at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

Watch Pirate get sick of this shit and swim to the Shore Log!

As Pirate performed her repertoire, Lady Katherine completed a grooming session and capped it off by rising out of the water with a full-flap.

A female mute swan (Cygnus olor) flaps her wings at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

Lady Katherine doesn’t always flap after grooming, but she has done it enough that K used to watch her very carefully every time she groomed.

A female mute swan (Cygnus olor) flaps her wings at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

A female mute swan (Cygnus olor) flaps her wings at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

A female mute swan (Cygnus olor) flaps her wings at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

Thank you for fitting into the frame, Lady K!

A female mute swan (Cygnus olor) flaps her wings at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

When she descends with her wings held out like that, the flight feathers remind me of the fingers on the white gloves of mimes.

I went over to the Shore Log to continue watching Dread Pirate Roberts. She had hopped on near the end of the log and was grooming. The other pelicans on the log were just hanging out.

Two American white pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) loaf together on a log at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

A funny thing about allopreening among pelicans: almost every time I’ve seen it, the preener was preening a sleeping pelican. Often the pelican being preened would wake up and be pissed off that it was being touched.

American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) preens another pelican as they loaf on a log at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

Maybe pelicans are the creepers of the avian world.

American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) flaps its wings as it stands next to another pelican at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

Dread Pirate Roberts is pretending to be Olivia Newton John’s Grease character singing in the Shake Shack; the pelican involuntarily cast as John Travolta, however, does not think that she’s the one that he wants.

I went back to the dock.

American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) flapping wings while standing on a log at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

She looks like she was interrupted while plotting something and is now plotting against whoever interrupted her.

American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) bathing at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

I love the way the water looks as it surges up from the splashing pelican.

The log pelican began to groom. Pelicans look so silly and adorable when they rub their heads against their preen glands.

American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) rubbing oil on its feathers at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

Not all was peaceful in the land of the pelicans, however. From the distant waters came a challenger for the Queen of the Log position.

American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) flapping its wings at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) snaps at a rival pelican at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

No way! Fuck off!

Flapping really seems to be a response to aggressive/frightening situations, at least based upon what I’ve seen. Challengers will flap; winners of a challenge will flap; losers of a challenge will often flap. When a noise or something frightens the pelicans and they stiffen up and go into alert mode, some will begin to flap.

American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) beats its wings at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

Sometimes challengers will flap but then settle down after another pelican threatens to jab them. I really thought that the challenger was going to settle down and start preening after her vigorous flap. That wasn’t what happened.

American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) jumps onto an already occupied log at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

Oh, she went for it!

American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) jumps onto an already occupied log at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

I am amazed at how high pelicans can jump when they need to.

American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) jumps onto an already occupied log at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

At least the power transfer is peaceful.

American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) jumps onto an already occupied log at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

The challenger immediately went into a flapping frenzy, then began to preen.

American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) grooms itself after jumping onto a log at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

The loser, too, flapped vigorously.

American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) flaps its wings at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

The pelican Schmendrick: “Magic, do as you will!”

American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) flaps its wings at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

Now she poses as though she is a figurehead on the prow of a ship.

American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) flaps its wings at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

The new Queen of the Log pelican flapped again and roused her feathers, secure in the knowledge that no bird in Part 4 would challenge her position.

American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) flaps its wings at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) rouses while standing on a log at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

Flapping and Fun: October 16, Part 2

The Queen of the Log pelican decided that she was willing to share her log with another worthy bird. Unfortunately, that did not reflect well on the pelican snoozing nearby.

American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) and American coot (Fulica americana) stand together on a log at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

Meet Rebecca and Svetlana, the stars of TV’s newest blockbuster comedy about a very strange couple that just moved into the neighborhood: Pelican and Coot.

American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) and American coot (Fulica americana) stand together on a log at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

Further out in the bay, two geese had just finished taking turns dipping their heads in the water for foreplay and were ready to get down to business.

Geese attempt to mate at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

Hey, what are you doing? I’m supposed to be the one biting you!

Geese attempt to mate at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

Wait, now I’m confused. I thought I was supposed to bite you; you’re not supposed to bite me!

Geese attempt to mate at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

OW! Goddammit, forget this. I’m outta here.

Geese attempt to mate at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

Okay, I’m trying to be outta here.

Geese attempt to mate at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

The male was happy to terminate the mating attempt when he realized he could get a free ride around the bay by letting the female drag him.

The Queen of the Log got bored with her position and decided to move on.

American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) steps off a log to swim at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) steps off a log to swim at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) steps off a log to swim at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

I abdicate my position in order to be with my one true love . . . FISHIE!

Two pelicans had been swimming together around the bay, occasionally plunging their heads underwater to hunt for fish. They came across a piece of trash and squabbled over who got to play with it.

Two American white pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) try to pick up a piece of trash to play with it at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

Two American white pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) try to pick up a piece of trash to play with it at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

The pelican who was unable to get to the trash slowly moved on, and her partner abandoned the trash in order to keep up.

Two American white pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) plunge their heads underwater as they hunt for fish at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

Then the pelican who had tried playing with the trash discovered an even better toy.

American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) plays with a stick at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

Oooh! Look what I found!

A brief note about play: Justice Stewart’s aphorism about pornography also works when trying to describe what appears to be object-oriented play among the pelicans. Some instances of play are very obvious, but some are not. Repetition is a good indicator that the pelican is playing, but what about when there is only one incident? In this case, the pelican appeared as though she were purposefully engaging with a useless object, and she had done the same thing with the orange piece of trash just a few minutes before finding the stick. I’ve seen some pelicans, when they are in a playful mood, pick up object after object after object to drop and toss around.

American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) plays with a stick at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

I am Donatello of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Pellies! Check out the awesome moves I can do with my bo!

American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) plays with a stick at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

I WILL SAVE YOU, APRIL O’NEIL!

American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) plays with a stick at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

What, Michelangelo? You think you should be the one to rescue April O’Neil? Fuck you! I will fucking beat you with my bo!

American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) plays with a stick at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

Yeah, you’re scared. That’s right. I know you’re scared.

American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) plays with a stick at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

“Oh no, it’s Donatello from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Pellies! I’ve heard she can take out five Foot Soldiers with one swing!”

American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) plays with a stick at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

Hmmm. This is much more difficult to swing than I thought it would be.

American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) plays with a stick at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

So, Shredder. We meet at last.

American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) plays with a stick at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

Take THAT, fucker! Oh yeah! You’re scared; I know it!

She swam over to where the stick had landed. I thought she was going to look for it, but when her companion started swimming toward her, she abandoned what might have been her search and decided to crown herself Queen of the Log.

American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) jumps onto a log at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

Weeeeeeee!

American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) stands on a log at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

Perhaps inspired by the Queen of the Log’s play behavior, a different pelican picked up a stick, although she didn’t seem very interested in it. That is not atypical for play behavior: nearby pelicans watching the play can get interested enough that they try to pick up nearby objects and manipulate them. Most of the time, like with this bird, they lose interest quickly. But not always.

American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) picks up a stick at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

I went to the shore to see what was going on over there. Several pelicans were trying to figure out a way onto the prime loafing areas without encountering too much resistance.

American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) jumps onto a log at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

Three American white pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) on a log at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

Four American white pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

Room for two more? Okay, fine; fuck that other pelican. Room for one more?

American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) jumps onto a log at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

Three American white pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) stand on a log at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

All right, there, partner: you can stay this time. But next time . . .

I went back to the dock, where a pelican was splashing up a storm as she bathed.

American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) bathes in the water at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) bathes in the water at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) bathes in the water at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) bathes in the water at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

A pelican played with the same bit of trash that a different pelican had found a couple of days earlier.

American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) plays with trash at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) plays with trash at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) plays with trash at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

Another pelican made a mighty leap onto a high-up section of log, got attacked, panicked, and jumped forward off the log into the water. They would have been lovely pictures except I had the exposure set way too dark. Oh well.

American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) swims away after jumping off a log at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

But now that exposure level works okay, doesn’t it, pelicansrulegullsdrool?

A pelican that had been swimming suddenly stopped, stood up, and flapped mightily.

American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) flapping at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

After a stirring performance Tamara was awarded first prize in the “air hula-hoop” contest.

American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) flapping at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

Perhaps she was flapping to psych herself up for a confrontation, because after she sank back into the water she steamed toward the Queen of the Log log.

American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) swims at White Rock lake in Dallas, TX

Out past the Queen of the Log log, Dread Pirate Roberts was bathing vigorously.

American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) bathes in the water at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) bathes in the water at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

Sure enough, the swimming pelican reached the Queen of the Log log, paused, and launched herself into the air.

Two American white pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) fight for access to a log at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

Holy shit! She just drop-kicked that pelican!

The pelican who was kicked managed to stay on the log.

Two American white pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) fight for access to a log at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

You drop-kicked the mighty Donatello, then you stepped on her foot? YOU SHALL PAY.

When both of the birds were balanced together on the log, I thought they might settle down and share. I underestimated the original pelican’s dedication to keep the log to herself.

Two American white pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) fight for access to a log at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

WATCH THIS, APRIL O’NEIL!

Two American white pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) fight for access to a log at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

Two American white pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) fight for access to a log at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

I may no longer have my bo, but I am a mighty warrior with the BEAK!

Two American white pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) fight for access to a log at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

Watching them fight was like watching an arm wrestler slowly but steadily force an opponent’s arm down.

Two American white pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) fight for access to a log at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

I’m losing? This isn’t right!

Two American white pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) fight for access to a log at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

The pelican who lost looks like a cranky infant who was just put down into her crib when she still wants to be out playing.

The pelican who lost suddenly decided that she was going to fly somewhere far, far away. Then the pelicans of White Rock Lake would be sorry.

American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) takes off from the water at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) takes off from the water at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) takes off from the water at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

Part 3 will include more flapping, another fight, and much more Dread Pirate Roberts action.

A Fish Fight and a Much More Vicious Fight: October 15

When I first went out to watch the pelicans, they were pretty chill. Several pelicans were sitting and standing on the Shore Log. Some were grooming; some were trying to sleep. None of them looked like they wanted to start a fight or go exploring.

(Pelecanus erythrorhynchos)

Four American white pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) loaf on a log at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

Can someone order out for sushi?

I went to the dock to see if there was any action there.

Two American white pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) loaf on a log at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

What is this “action” of which you speak?

A juvenile was out in the water playing with a feather. She bounced it in her pouch before dropping it and picking it up a few times.

An American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) plays with a feather at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

No pelicans were loitering around the Queen of the Log log, and the Queen who was there was busy grooming.

An American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) grooms at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

I watched a pelican swimming by, hoping that she might try to jump on a log or do something interesting. She didn’t.

An American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) swims at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

At least the pigeon that landed on the dock was pretty.

A pigeon perches on a dock at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

I noticed a commotion out past the Queen of the Log log. Four pelicans had suddenly drawn together. At first I thought they were playing—a few of them seemed to duck down as though they were trying to pick something up out of the water—but they didn’t seem to be moving in such a way that I associate with object play. Then I saw a flash of green. A fish!

Four American white pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) hunting for fish at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

FISHIE IS MINE!

Four American while pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) hunt for fish at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

Uhhh, pelican, you’re supposed to swallow the fish head first.

I wasn’t sure whether the pelican who initially had the fish managed to retain it or if another pelican snatched it away.

Four American while pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) hunt for fish at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

Four American while pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) hunt for fish at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

The chase is finished . . . or has it just begun?

I did not get the next pic in focus, but I wanted to post it to show the outline of the fish inside the pelican’s pouch.

American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) with a fish in her pouch at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

Slosh, slosh, slosh your fish, gently in your pouch . . .

Just as I had seen when a pelican ate a dead fish, the bird swam off on her own, away from where the other groups of pelicans were congregating, and tilted her head back as she drifted away.

American white pelican swims with a fish in its pouch at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

She looks like she has a horrible tumor growing in her pouch.

American white pelican swims with a fish in its pouch at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

American white pelican swims with a fish in its pouch at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

That’s not an angle you often see on a pelican!

Closer to the dock, a group of coots were milling about. One cute little coot was hanging around with her wing held out jauntily.

American coot (Fulica americana) holding another coot underwater at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

Don’t mind me!

Except that cute little coot with the jaunty wing was a red-hot killing machine. She was in that posture for a purpose: TO DROWN ANOTHER COOT.

American coot (Fulica americana) holding another coot underwater at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

Goddammit, why are we coots so fucking buoyant?

I starting noticing aggressive behavior among coots starting a few weeks before this incident. Some coots would swim with their necks held out stiffly and as close to the water as possible, as though they were pissed-off geese, and as they swam they would hold their hindquarters and wings slightly elevated so one could easily see the white feathers on their rumps. Occasionally the aggressive coots would charge toward another coot, who would quickly swim away, and a few times I briefly saw an aggressive coot fighting an opponent by kicking at them. Attempted drowning was new for me.

American coot (Fulica americana) tries to drown another coot at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

Doo da doo . . .

American coot (Fulica americana) tries to drown another coot at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

Why does my maniacal laugh sound so much like a cute little chirp?

American coot (Fulica americana) tries to drown another coot at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

Hey guys, what are you doing? OH SHIT OH SHIT OH SHIT PLEASE DON’T LOOK AT ME PLEASE DON’T FOLLOW ME.

An American coot (Fulica americana) tries to drown another coot at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

Jesus, coots are hardcore!

An American coot (Fulica americana) tries to drown another coot at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

Swim for it, little one!

An American coot (Fulica americana) tries to drown another coot at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

Next, on “Coots Who Kill,” hear serial killer Anna the Coot describe how her last victim almost escaped from her evil clutches.

The aggressive coot easily subdued the fleeing coot and held her underwater. Again the coot escaped and was recaptured and forced back underwater. Finally the victimized coot was able to get free and stay free.

The pelicans were still very chill.

American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) stands on a log at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

Back at the Shore Log, the birds were still grooming.

Two American white pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) preen while standing on a log at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

Dread Pirate Roberts and another pelican preen together. Perhaps the pelican on the left closed her eye to make Pirate feel more welcome.

Then I saw a familiar pelican: the bird with the hurt foot from October 11. I last saw her on November 8th, and although she is still limping quite a bit, she seems to be getting around much better than she did at this time. I can’t believe both she and Copper Woman have been here for a month.

I have decided to name the bird with the hurt foot Philoctetes.

American white pelican grooming on a log at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

Before I left, I went out on the dock one last time. A juvenile jumped up on an oddly shaped log and was having a great deal of difficulty keeping her balance.

American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) flaps her wings as she tries to keep her balance at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

I can do it!

American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) sinks into water after losing her balance at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

No, I can’t!

American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) sinks into water after losing her balance at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

Fuck this log!

A dozing pelican briefly opened her eyes, then closed them again. Much more action would occur in the next few days, and perhaps she knew she would need her energy.

American white pelican standing at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

 

The Beginnings of Pelican Mayhem: October 14

The title isn’t entirely true; the mayhem started the day before, on October 13, when pelicans began to fight each other for access to colonize the nearby loafing areas. It was windy outside and the water was choppy, which made the pelicans’ abilities to encroach upon and defend new areas more difficult than usual.

On the fourteenth, the pelicans were still quite feisty. A large group kept circling the bay, hunting. Small groups splintered off to hunt on their own and later rejoined the main group. Other birds bathed and loafed, and birds who finished bathing or who wanted a break from hunting tried to steal log space away from loafing pelicans.

Because there are so many pictures in this post, there will be a cut near the beginning of the narrative.

American white pelican ((Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) preens her feathers at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

Such a peaceful beginning.

Some of the swimming birds found trash to bounce around in their pouches in play.

Two American white peliacns (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos), one of which is catching a tossed piece of trash in its beak while swimming at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

A few days later a different pelican would find the same bit of trash and toss it around as well.

The Queen of the Log log was an important location in the day’s events (and in general in the lives of the pelicans at White Rock Lake). It is a small log that is maybe fifty feet away from the edge of the dock. Two pelicans can share it if they both cooperate. IF.

Two American white pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

Oh, please. Do you really think I’m budging for the likes of you?

The juvenile was easily intimidated and moseyed away, but an adult thought she would try her luck.

fight1

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Cold, Sleepy Pelicans and a Loner on a Stump: October 11

Last week was fairly warm. One day the temp was even in the high 90s, but the rest of the days peaked in the low 90s. Yesterday, the 10th, the high was 91.

Twenty-four hours later, the temperature had fallen over 30 degrees.

Q and I had been busy this afternoon visiting houses on the yearly White Rock Lake Artists’ Tour and didn’t get out to White Rock Lake until late afternoon. I was wearing a sweater and a light jacket, and I was still freezing. I like hot weather and don’t deal well with the cold, especially when the temperature has changed dramatically within a short period of time.

Over the past few days I’d noticed a sudden resurgence in the number of scissor-tailed flycatchers I’d seen at the lake. After Q and I got out of the car, we noticed several of them swooping around and perching in trees and on wires.

Scissor-tailed flycatcher (Tyrannus forficatus) perched in a tree at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX.

When we got down to the dock, we saw that almost all of the pelicans on the nearby log were asleep. Alas!

Sleeping pelicans (american white pelicans; Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) on logs at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

Then I looked to one side and saw that there was a lone pelican standing on the Stump. Q and I decided to go walk down to the shore to get a better look at her.

A pelican (american white pelican; Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) raises her wings while standing on a stump at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

A pelican (american white pelican; Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) preens under her wing as she stands on a stump at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

Something was wrong with the bird. Not just that she was by herself, but her left foot seemed to be injured.

Typically pelicans stand with their feet flat against a surface. This bird kept holding her left foot slightly up in a curved position. When she raised her wings for more than a few seconds, she had a great deal of difficulty keeping her balance. When she tried to sit, she lurched down and to the side and then straightened up again. For the majority of the time that we watched her preen, she was standing with her left foot stretched much further out than her right foot, as though she weren’t holding much weight on it. I couldn’t see anything wrong with her leg or foot, so I hope that whatever is bothering her will resolve soon. I once saw a pelican who had lost a foot, and although the injury looked as though it had healed well, it severely impacted how the pelican dealt with loafing. It was sad to see.

K arrived and said that she had seen the Stump Pelican (now named Philoctetes) earlier that afternoon. She said the bird had left the others, swam up to the stump, and hopped on. At the time K hadn’t noticed anything wrong with her. When I pointed out the bird’s strange posture and the way she lurched when she tried to change positions, K agreed that something wasn’t right.

Another local birder and prominent blogger, Ben, showed up. He told us that the influx of scissor-tailed flycatchers was due to northern birds migrating south. An anomaly explained!

By then my toes were starting to get numb, so Q and I left. Tomorrow the temperature is supposed to get back up into the low 80s. Thank god. That’s the kind of weather I like the best!