Pelicans feeding in the Slave River...

Pelicans feeding in the Slave River...
Originally uploaded by The MediaMentor.

This is one of a marvelous Pelican Set, by Georges Lessard -- be sure to go see the rest.

I live in a building that was built in 1948, to provide low-cost, post-war housing.  There are two buildings, which face each other across a driveway/ courtyard -- six units in one building, four in the other.  In front of each unit is a small dirt triangle, with a birch tree and various other plantings.

One day a few years ago, I was tending to my triangle and looked up -- there above me, moving very slowly, was a large flock of pelicans -- so low that even near-sighted I could see the black tips of the wing feathers. In my memory, there is no sound, just the slow flight of these great white birds against the clear blue sky.

When I lived in Alaska, I expected to see amazing things nearly every day; here in Montana, such experiences are more surprising. People speak of  treasured memories -- usually large events, birthdays, weddings, graduations.  For me, large events fade with time, the edges tatter.  It is these small moments that arise, still clear and bright, white against a blue sky.

Comments

[Kate S.]

How gorgeous. I like pelicans. They are resourceful and comedic, like our crows and ravens.
I did not realize you used to live in Alaska! What part? How long? Do you miss it?
Next, I want to try the northwestern part of Nevada, where the Ponderosa Ranch was located in Bonanza (still is, a tourist trap, I hear.)
There are still mountains there, with beautiful big pine trees, meadows, some snow, some desert, but without all the bone-breaking cold and icy roads we now have to endure for a much too-long extended winter.
I am in love with the colors and spirits of New Mexico, but there is too much sun I fear, now that I have to stay in out of it. I'm getting gypsy feet again...

[Karen]

I think that we can find amazing things anywhere as long as our eyes are open to them... Pelicans are wonderful. I like cranes, too. Which I usually hear first! Ravens are fun to watch, but do create some unique problems here. Speaking of nuisance - Friday night, I had to come to a complete stop on the lane - two very big & fat raccoons were crossing to our silage pit. One of them just stood there looking at me, less than a foot from the car. So I told it, "Well, if you're not going, then I will." Then drove home. Good to know that we're keeping all the wildlife well fed.

[SB]

Kate, I lived in Juneau about eight years, and yes, I still miss it.

Karen, you are absolutely right, wonder is where we look. I think Alaska taught me to look. & I'm glad you are keeping all the wildlife fed!