American White Pelican at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee Wisconsin on October 29, 2014

I was just heading out the door this morning when I got a text message from a friend Bruce that he had located an American White Pelican at McKinley Beach. The bird was viewed previously by other birders at least a week ago, if this is the same bird. If it is, it some good hiding places. An American White Pelican is a common bird, but it is a special sighting on the lakefront in Milwaukee. I have preciously viewed them up in Sheboygan on the lakefront there. When I arrived at the location it was present. This location was on the lake side of the large rocks just east of the beach. I notified Jym M of the bird after receiving the text from Bruce as I knew Jym had been on the hunt for this bird for his Milwaukee Co. list. Jym arrived in a few minutes later, and he was all smiles, congrats Jym! The bird did some extensive preening while we were present. After preening it took to the water and then took off to the south. A fun birding moment for all of us and thanks to Bruce for the early text message this morning! Also present close by were about 12 Snow Buntings, 20 Female Surf Scoters out a ways, a couple of Horned Grebes and the Glaucous Gull. Images were taken on October 29, 2014.