Photo: Hardy Inlet, Blackwood River, three pelicans in the shallows.
“Many pelicans fish by swimming in cooperative groups …” National Geographic
Pelicans Align
Just a grey October day where
the river reflects its sky so well,
a flash of white dazzles on the
far eastern shoreline
a painter’s bold smudge,
the air murmurs but doesn’t move,
gulls and terns circle and pass,
suddenly the daub of paint moves
and catches my eye,
five birds take to the sky
thermal surfers wheeling and circling,
soon five more, and another,
till forty pelicans align in a
grace that belies their size
and somehow the world seems
to be a better place.
©Paul Vincent Cannon
Paul, pvcann.com
parallax 
Beautiful description of a natural moment!
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It was certainly beautiful, thank you Heather.
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My pleasure.
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Love Pelicans! If you ever watch them dive notice that they are facing the opposite direction when they come up… Crazy!
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Lovely!
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Thank you Susan 🙂
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I ditto the comment above: Lovely!
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Many thanks Janet.
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Pelicans are lovely to watch.
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They sure are 🙂
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Love Pelicans too, even if i had seen them only once. Best wishes, Michael
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So glad you enjoyed it.
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ah love those magic moments where nature unveils her beauty 🙂
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Yes, pure delight. 🙂
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Nice photo and of course, those words…🌸
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Thank you Cheryl 🙂
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A beautiful photo that goes with the poem, Paul. I love it.
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Thank you so much Winnie 🙂
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That would be something to see. Pelicans wheeling and circling en masse is something not soon forgotten, I’m sure.
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Yes, they are impressive, and they float so lightly.
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Beautiful! Enjoyed this splendid piece resolving around my Father’s creations ❤
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Thank you very much Tammy 🙂
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You’re most welcome!
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I love the hope this poem brings. we need more of these in the world today
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Thank you, we sure do need more Megha.
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I’ve seen the pelicans, in particular the American whites, organize and circle – quite spectacular. Well described.
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Yes, so graceful, peaceful.
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Beautiful poem portraying a beautiful reality for us
>
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Yes, it was that day when I drew attention to it, amazing.
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I love how the poem moves through description to end in transcendence.
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I sat with that for a while as it really came as the pelicans lifted off. Thank you for sharing your insights Liz.
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You’re welcome, Paul! It’s one of the pleasures of reading poetry online.
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I’d agree wholeheartedly Liz, it’s so wonderful to have so much access.
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