Darwin may disagree, but we saw one of the coolest things happen today. As we arrived at the beach entrance, folks were talking about a wounded pelican at the river end and calling animal control or SeaWorld to come and pick it up. They thought one of its wings was broken. As we walking along the shore, getting closer to where the bird was most likely sitting, we tried to call animal control ourselves. We’d read recently that it often takes a long time for authorities to be alerted of an accident because everyone assumes everyone else called it in.
Anyway, the number we though was animal control wasn’t working. We were discussing our frustration when we see this guy pick up the pelican and wrestle with it. It’s wings are wagging around, he picks it up, does something and then puts it down. I’m aghast wondering what in heck this guy is doing to the poor bird? Is he trying to put it out of it’s misery? Is he a vet or something and trying to set its wing?
Then we see him throw a huge fish in the water and set the pelican in the sea. Holy crap! The pelican is swimming/floating across the channel to the jetty, spreading its wings a couple of times. Believe it or not, the pelican has swallowed a fish that was too big to fit down the bird’s throat. And he couldn’t get it out. The bird was suffocating. If that man hadn’t taken the time to get close, see what’s up and act quickly, that pelican would have been a goner. The man said it was laying on its back when he walked up to it.
The pelican reached and sat on the jetty, and was still there when we left. I’m sure it’s trying to gain it’s strength back. Hopefully he’ll be on his merry way soon enough. I know the bird might not make it, or it could do something stupid like that again, but it really warms my heart to see someone act quickly and selfishly to save another creature. Cheers to that fine sir!
Now, on with today’s pics…
[The lucky pelican rests after a crazy morning.]
[Some of the regular gang hang around the beach entrance. Barb is wearing her festive Santa hat!]
[Flo, a Cairn Terrier visiting from Seattle.]
[A couple of Labs and a Puggle enjoy chasing a ball in the waves.]
Wow, that sky is amazing! A carrion Terrier? You’re right, we DO learn a new breed every day, never heard of that one either!Lucky greedy bird, and kind person who helped him! My hubby will probably find himself in the same predicament tomorrow with the Christmas turkey, he quite often gets so full he has to stand up in order to breathe, it’s quite disgusting! Well, it’s either eat it or give it to the Beagles….clearly he doesn’t love them as much as I do!!Have a lovely day tomorrow, hope Santa’s good to you!xx
Eyes bigger than his belly, as they say!Could that carrion terrier have been a Cairn terrier? There’s a good Scottish breed for you. Did the owners have a funny accent?Hope you all have a great Christmas!
you’re so right, gennasus! i looked it up. it appears there may be carrion terrier, but flo is definitely a cairn terrier! her owners weren’t scottish, though.