These were from last year in ALton...the date on the shots says 3/4/06...we always go to Alton several times during February and March...just to see all the birds..I missed the swans last year though :(
These aren't my best work, cause I'd had treatment before I went out there..

http://www.siloutdoors.com/imagehosting/44746f50d916ec1e.jpg

http://www.siloutdoors.com/imagehosting/44746f50d91af71c.jpg

http://www.siloutdoors.com/imagehosting/44746f50d90b883c.jpg

http://www.siloutdoors.com/imagehosting/44746f50d9106869.jpg

http://www.siloutdoors.com/imagehosting/44746f50d9135263.jpg

I really like the third one g, but they do look a little hazy? why is that? Ya' ll whole area looked hazy to me the other day?

It's always hazy around here..the humidty and the dust in the atmosphere - and here around the house..it's hazy lots of times when the coal piles are burning. One of the stockpiles across the road has been burning for about 6 weeks...early in the AM and at night you can really smell the sulphur...just like it used to be when everyone heated with coal!

Yup , we avoid the power plant road when possible......lol....you know how all that coal is.....

Here are a few from Carlyle a few days ago, does any one know what the difference is with the bump on them and with out? are they diff type? I looked a bit but didn't find anything on it, just wandering they look the same other than the knob on the beak.
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w12/fiat67/IMG_0004-1.jpg
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w12/fiat67/IMG_0030.jpg
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w12/fiat67/IMG_0002.jpg

NIce, what bump are you talking about?

Out toward the end of the top beak in the Alton pics they have a bump, or knob looking thing, and the other do not seem to have this? If ya look close you can see them, I thought they were the same and maybe just a seasonal thing I don't know but you can see it in the 2 different pics.

Ok heres what I found....it's only present during breeding season.....
http://sdakotabirds.com/species/american_white_pelican_info.htm

Gretch, The Alton impoundment areas are wintering grounds for many waterfowl. I too take many trips over there, the Tundra Swan are an exceptional sight in flight. When the migration is on there are all types of waterfowl including the eagles in December and January. For those who have never been there, it is across the river from Alton off of Rt. 367 in Missouri. You go across the river and make the first left hand turn you can make past the bridge and follow the road, you eventually end up at the lock/dam.

If you make it over there take the extra ten mile trip up the river road and go to Grafton, the Fin-Inn. It has very good fish platters and the restaurant has giant aquariums located throughtout. You can sit next to the glass and see snapping turtles, carp, gar, crappie.... well you get the message.

We went there once and spent a lot longer in line to get in than we did at our table. Their aquariums are worth it though.

I like the dumpy fish bar across the street from the fin inn...turtle soup... MMM

We'll have to check that out. I won't tell Mrs. Life that it's turtle though. She'll eat creepy crawlies from the bottom of the ocean, but she won't eat turtle. Go figure.