January 12, 2022 - Do the swans have competition?

We all know and love Lakeland’s famous mascot: the swan. But what about the other flocks that inhabit local lakes and spots around town, like the white pelican?

Last month, Reader Tracy N. asked us where the white pelicans come from each winter. And, while the royal avians made their way here via the Queen, the pelicans have their own story.

White pelicans on Lake Morton | Photo via @silly_runner_girl

A migratory bird weighing in as one of the biggest birds in North America, these avians boast a nine-foot wingspan + come to Polk County every winter in flocks. Unlike their relative the brown pelican which inhabits the Sunshine State year-round, the white birds are typically found along the coast or inland along lakes and rivers.

And, that’s just about all they do. While in Florida, the birds don’t nest or breed — that’s reserved for their home in Canada, and live off of minnows, panfish, sluggish bottom feeders, salamanders, tadpoles, and crayfish.

Unfortunately for our permanent waterfowl like swans, ducks, and geese, the pelicans’ size allows them to easily steal food from other birds, and they tend to squawk out low grunts to assert their dominance.

More pelicans along Lake Morton | Photo via @mrs_landscape

Now, in the heart of “winter” here in Florida, it’s a great time to check out the birds in person, before they migrate back to our neighbors of the north in March.

To watch the white pelicans, bird enthusiasts say the best spots to see them in action in Lakeland are Circle B Bar Reserve, Lake Morton, Lake Mirror, and Lake Hollingsworth.

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EVENTS

Today

General Trivia with Swan Brewing | Wed., Jan. 12 | 6:30-9 p.m. | Swan Brewing | Free | Gather up to six of your trivia teammates + feast on food from Cuban B’s Bugers and Bakes.

Thursday

Comedy Charcuterie & Cocktails | Thurs., Jan. 13 | 6-8:30 p.m. | Cypresswood Country Club, 842 Eagle Pond Dr. | $25+ | Laugh along with the improv troupe Out of the Box, snack on charcuterie, and sip BOGO beer, wine + cocktails. 🍸

Friday

The Room Special Screening | Fri., Jan. 14 | 7 p.m. | Polk Theatre | $20 | Watch cult classic “The Room” followed by a Q+A and meet and greet with the film’s star, Greg Sestero.

Saturday

Cigar Life 5th Anniversary | Sat., Jan. 15 | 12-4 p.m. | Cigar Life, 5724 S. Florida Ave. | $125 | Celebrate Cigar Life’s birthday with cigar specials, live music, boneless rib-eye + free gifts. 🥩

Sunday

Open Mic Sessions | Sun., Jan. 16 | 6:30 p.m. | Just Dance, 310 E. Lemon St. | Free | Poets, musicians, and singers can showcase their talent at open mic night.

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

PLAN YOUR WEEK HERE

NEWS NOTES

Weather

74º | Partly cloudy | 10% chance of rain

Edu

Florida Southern College is welcoming University of Florida Law Professor Mary Adkins for a lecture. Mary will be discussing her book, “Chesterfield Smith, America’s Lawyer,” followed by a book signing. The lecture will be Thurs., Jan. 13 at 7 p.m. in Branscomb Auditorium and is free to attend. ⚖️ (The Ledger)

Biz

Ready to enjoy your cruffins within the walls of Born & Bread again? The biz announced that it will officially be reopening its doors for dine-in soon, with new hours. A tentative grand opening is scheduled for Feb. 2.

Opening

Rita’s Lakeland (3115 US Hwy 98 N., in the Market Square Shopping Center) is hosting two grand opening events this weekend, on Sat., Jan. 15 through Jan. 16. Visitors can expect deals on gelati, balloon artists from 1-5 p.m., a chance to win free treats and a raffle. 🍨

Cause

This month is National Blood Donor Month. Currently, blood donations are all-time low, nationwide. If you’d like to contribute and donate blood, you can find a blood donation center in Lakeland here.
In honor of National Poverty Awareness Month, the Junior League of Greater Lakeland is collecting canned and non-perishable goods in January to stock the Lakeland Free Fridge. Check here to see what food items are accepted, as well as various drop-off dates and times. 🥫

Shop

Rafa Natural released its Valentine’s Day scent, Chocolate Amber. The scent is available to order online and in store. Pro tip: the shop will be open late for next month’s First Friday, so you can get your holiday shopping done early.

Eat

Now for ax-citing news — Ax-Caliber is teaming up with Sweet Cups Chef to bring cookies to the hatchet-throwing venue. For now, the spot has teased that the treats will be coming soon and encourages cookie-lovers to keep up via Instagram for future details. 🍪
Did you know that over one million members trust Thrive Market to make healthy living easy? Shop for the highest quality products, sort by diet + lifestyle preferences, and get it all delivered to your front door. Bonus: Our readers get 40% off and a free gift. 🍴*

Deal

Walt Disney World released a new ticket deal for Florida residents: The Disney Weekday Magic ticket. The pass, valid for use on weekdays, started yesterday and lasts through April 7. Read more about the deal, here. (Bay News 9)

Finance

Super high-paying cash back cards have hit the market. Read: Cardholders can pocket an easy $200 bonus when they use these cards. Plus, they can enjoy additional perks like high ongoing cash back rates, no annual fee, or 0% interest until 2023. Start racking up those cash back rewards. 💵*

*This paid content, brought to you by our advertising partners, helps make this newsletter free.

POST OF THE DAY

$1000 from Lakeside Village, just because

📸 @LALtoday

Giveaway alert. 🚨 We’re partnering with Lakeside Village to give away four $250 gift cards to DayDreams Day Spa & Medical Esthetics, Francesca’s, Paint Nail Bar + Versona ($1000 total). How you spend it (presents for your loved ones when they least expect it, going for the ultimate shopping spree with your bestie, etc.) is totally up to you.

Enter to win on our website — we’ll randomly select and announce a winner on Mon., Jan. 24. Good luck, Lakeland. 🛍️

#DYK that your photos and quotes could be featured in our newsletter?

Just use #LALtoday on social media.

REWARDS

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THE WRAP

Editor’s pick: As a Lakelander, we can think of a handful of unspoken rules that we abide by that are unique to our city. Example: never speed around Lake Morton to keep our royal avians safe. Have your own set of unspoken rules? Share them with us — the more local, the better.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? We talked all about the new parklet project coming to Kentucky Avenue, here.