In a previous post I mentioned the rare white pelican that was recently spotted in the area. Reports of sightings came from Golden Lake and Lake Dore, but it was on Wilber Lake in North Algona Township near Eganville Ontario that we actually caught up with this guy.

This photo was taken by Diane Molz. Diane is an avid naturalist and a very talented wildlife photographer. She and her husband Fred are from Pennsylvania and often spend their summer vacation in the lovely Ottawa Valley of Renfrew County. Diane and Fred were able to get quite close to the pelican by rowing their boat in to the bay on the west shore of Wilber Lake, where this picture was taken.

The last time I spoke to Diane she told me that she had taken some pictures of a newly fledged Eagle. I’m off to see her pictures later today. Diane is certainly keeping me busy this summer. And I must admit to being a tad jealous! I love to photograph wildlife and the flora and fauna in this area, but I can’t seem to get the critters to pose for me the way Diane does! At least our local creatures are very accommodating to our American friends!

I love to drive the rugged back roads of Renfrew County. We have more than our fair share of bush-lots, brush, undergrowth, swamps, forests, lakes, streams and rivers, all of which are exceptionally beautiful in their own way. We also have an abundance of wildlife – always a joy to discover on an early morning or late afternoon outing.

On a recent trip along what starts out as Mill Street in Eganville and ends up at Highway 60 just east of Kelly’s Corners on the road to Douglas, I came across this magnificent Heron. He let me get quite close to him and was quite pleased when I told him I would post his picture on the Internet. Herons can be quite vain, you know!

Now I’m off to see if I can capture a picture of a pelican. A white pelican was sighted on one of our local waterways this past week. He is quite a handsome fellow and seems to be content and well-fed in his newly discovered domain.

Chris Michener of Golden Lake, and Mike MacDonald of the Pembroke Area Field Naturalists Club were on hand to verify the sighting this morning. Their verdict: It’s a pelican, for sure! I found this quite reassuring as I was wondering if perhaps I might be seeing things. Getting to that age, you know!

Check back soon to see if I can sneak up on this wayward lad to get a good picture of him!