In the Journal - a Quiet retreat - with Pelicans

“I want a brighter word than bright”  - John Keats

 

Pelicans - rainbows on the water.

That's the kind of day it was ... and the Pelicans were there
... Zen in the water.

From 2014  ... a gem from one of our day trip excursions...

First glance, from a distance,


they looked

like buoys,

such a foreign and
unexpected sight.

Then one moved!

Pelicans!

Driving alongside the water Andy found a tree that cloaked us, we hoped. Taking pictures from the car didn't quite capture the details. I needed a closer angle and a place to idle.

I stepped out and stood among the tree branches and it worked for awhile. Then the seagulls ratted me out and the Pelicans shifted their energy from serene to alert.

Slowly, they took their leave, steady and deliberate, the gentle alteration of their course, downstream and effortlessly away.

I felt the one at the point position had sensed our presence and observed us with a wary eye. He knew I was there and he tolerated my non-threatening action but had given me as much time as he could.
Our time was up.

Mission accomplished, I retreated to the car.
Jack and Gracie had been quite patient.

We lingered a bit, watching a few moments
more as the big, beautiful birds
faded from sight.

Lots of winged activity at the dam,
including two more Pelicans. 

Further down the road, we saw a Bald Eagle (huge) but he was too far for me to even think about getting a pic.

We have found a groove for our excursions at this point. We start out in the car with a specific direction in mind. Gracie and Jack are great travel dogs. The trip usually involves the plan of a hike or an extended walk somewhere.

Keeping the destination optional, we often find new views and trails we hadn't considered that are sometimes better than those we know.

The day unfolds, we enjoy our time and our company on the unexpected journey. Happening upon Pelicans soaking up the sun was a bonus.


John Redmond Reservoir

Wikipedia - The Neosho Valley flooded over 45 times in the 30 years leading up to 1950 when Congress would authorized the project for what was to be "Strawn Dam." Ironically, it was authorized and awaiting construction during the Great Flood of 1951, which inundated downtown Burlington and Strawn where some locations had floodwater 30 feet (9.1 m) deep.

New Strawn, KS
1/2 mile South and 1 mile West of New Strawn, KS
or 2 1/2 miles North of Burlington on US-75
Corps of Engineers