OK, I’m in Antrim County, but this little pelican is in Key West where a person can find sunshine, warm breezes, excellent sunsets and thousands of migrating Canadians and Michiganians who, like the pelican, are in no hurry to fly back north. No indeed.
On the other hand, Climate Chaos being what it is, a penguin somehow found its way to Eastport. I’m pretty sure it’s a penguin. M-88 is a mysterious corridor where creatures have been known to shapeshift in winter.
Strangest sighting of the day was this phoenix in Blue Heaven. It saw its shadow, which may or may not mean anything. Mull it over.
Posted in: Babs Young photos, Everything else on Torch Lake Views
Torch Lake Views 
shoreacres
February 4, 2014
A pelican’s sweet penguin friend
once observed, of the new phoenix trend,
“If it’s skinny and red
that now turns people’s heads,
I do fear what the future portends!”
Gerry
February 4, 2014
Now that is pure art.
I must get Erin to take a snapshot of me in my bright red down coat. I look like an envious penguin. Or an embarrassed penguin. Either way Miss Sadie says I fall short of sweet – and that it is time for a real walk. Back later.
P.j. grath
February 4, 2014
Like your birds, Gerry. And here’s my bird question of the week (I could look it up myself but would rather wonder and pose the question for a while): Do ducks migrate? My evidence against duck migration is (1) seeing ducks here in the winter and (2) observing how darned hard they have to flap their wings to get and stay up in the air. How would they ever find the energy to get to the Gulf of Mexico?
Gerry
February 4, 2014
According to my beloved Stan Tekiela ducks migrate, some to the Gulf and Central America and some just to the southern states. There is, however, this exception. apparently some mallards don’t migrate. Huh. I suppose that makes them odd ducks. I can relate.
Dawn
February 4, 2014
Love the poem Shoreacres! Love the shadow too…but am sad at what it means.
Gerry
February 4, 2014
Maybe a phoenix is not afraid of its shadow. This one looks to me as if it is admiring its skinny self.
shoreacres
February 4, 2014
Thanks, Dawn! Sometimes I just can’t help myself, especially when I’ve got such good material to work with.
Martha
February 4, 2014
I say the Phoenix is startled for whatever reason. Maybe it didn’t realize it had lost so much weight this winter. Donuts!
Gerry
February 5, 2014
I had never thought of the self-image problem.
tootlepedal
February 4, 2014
I look forward to the red coat snapshot.
Gerry
February 5, 2014
I must make an effort.
WOL
February 4, 2014
What delightful snow and yard sculptures. We have had what the Orkney Islanders refer to as “a skutch of snaa” which is to say just a light dusting. Hardly worth the effort, actually as the concrete and asphalt had melted off by midmorning. Good thing too. Snow here means it’s “demolition derby day.” Locals here don’t know how to drive in rain, let alone snow. I exercised due caution and stayed home with a nice warm pot of tea.
Gerry
February 5, 2014
Even here, where people have had a lot of experience with driving on snow and ice, we have been having an awful lot of accidents. There’s no accounting for our lack of humility.
Karma
February 5, 2014
What a great collection of photos. I’d love to be with that pelican in Key West right now!
Gerry
February 5, 2014
And if any of the airlines were flying out of where we are right now we’d probably get on a plane and go, wouldn’t we! Hmmm. Maybe I could get one of the snowplow guys to give me a lift all the way down I-75 until we run out of snow. That kind of cab service would probably cost less than my propane bills for this winter.
Sybil
February 6, 2014
Would that your Phoenix would burst into its glorious flame that portends its re-birth, and the heat of that flame melt all this damn snow Gerry.
Gerry
February 6, 2014
I believe I hear a loud Amen Chorus from the peanut gallery.