August 10, 2005 – return of the phalaropes

Today the Red-necked Phalaropes returned to the North Marsh and Strawberry Lagoon. They seem to be here a couple of weeks earlier than last year. It's always a treat to watch them at work.


Also back on the scene is a group of White Pelicans that seems to grow larger every year. This morning there were about 40 (not all in this frame) cruising the North Marsh.

A cormorant takes advantage of the "herding" behavior of the pelicans, poaching from the school of fish the pelicans were pushing before them.

A small pod of pelicans horns in on the egrets' fishing spot, displacing them.