Again, not Hood River, but I learned several things researching this image. The birds are indeed pelicans (American White Pelican to be precise). Their range did include Great Falls, Montana, where I suspect the image was taken. And those boats are a special craft designed for duck hunting.
Photo courtesy the Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Oregon.
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My husband says, "definitely duck hunting boats".
L.E. on 7th February 2017 @ 10:34am
Is that a gas engine on the boat? Can only guess how loud and dirty it was. Hard to believe it didn't scare away every duck for miles.
Arthur on 7th February 2017 @ 10:50am
Those boats would probably seen a lot of uses besides duck hunting. Fishing, other forms of hunting, ferrying people and goods across the river, etc. The larger one must have an engine was well as I don't see oar locks or thole pins.
Longshot on 7th February 2017 @ 11:48am
This is what I am told....They are called a "layout boat". Hunters lie down in them and cover up with grass and reeds. They want to have as low a profile in the water as possible.
The larger boat with the higher sides, is also a layout boat, but would be used out in deeper water hunting for diving ducks. The higher sides help prevent the waves from splashing in.
L.E. on 8th February 2017 @ 12:14am
The White Pelicans are making their way back down the Columbia over the last 10 years. You will see them in some places along the river, mostly East of Hood River.
Gorgecat on 24th February 2017 @ 11:42pm