Arizona is a birding hot spot for a number of reasons, none the least due its central location along the path of many migratory birds that enjoy the long days of this continent's northern summers and its southern latitudes' warm winters.
One example of these many wide-traveling birds is the American white pelican, spending its summer breeding on isolated fresh water lakes on the northern plains while wintering mostly near the Gulf of Mexico's coastline and in southern California's waterways.
Arizona is a flyover state between some of these habitats, so periodic sightings are not unusual. Less common is when the bird decides to winter here, so far inland from its coastal preferences. But apparently a pair are doing just that, as I discovered on a recent visit to the riparian preserve at the city of Gilbert's Water Ranch. (Click here to see details on the preserve.)
Their white plumage shines brightly against the greenery around the collecting ponds, labeling these unique winter visitors as snowbirds in more ways than one.
One example of these many wide-traveling birds is the American white pelican, spending its summer breeding on isolated fresh water lakes on the northern plains while wintering mostly near the Gulf of Mexico's coastline and in southern California's waterways.
Arizona is a flyover state between some of these habitats, so periodic sightings are not unusual. Less common is when the bird decides to winter here, so far inland from its coastal preferences. But apparently a pair are doing just that, as I discovered on a recent visit to the riparian preserve at the city of Gilbert's Water Ranch. (Click here to see details on the preserve.)
Their white plumage shines brightly against the greenery around the collecting ponds, labeling these unique winter visitors as snowbirds in more ways than one.
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