What a funny old bird is the Pelican?

"What a funny old bird is the Pelican?

Its beak can hold more than its belly can." (trad)

This bird certainly meets that description. (Sorry about the tiny image, folks - click on the photo for a larger view.)

The Pelican was attempting to swallow a large portion of a deep sea fish, caught by a (successful) fisherman, and cleaned in the Wagonga Inlet at Narooma. Unfortunately for this Pelican (Pelicanus conspicillatus), the portion of fish was too large for its throat to allow it to swallow. But it was not for a want of trying! Nor for a want of "urging" by its fellows, either.

I managed to wet a line today, but all I achieved was to feed my bait to some tiny little "small fry". My neighbouring fishermen, on the rock wall, at the inlet, did manage to catch several ridiculously small fishettes. Then one of them landed a plate-sized fish - a small Trevalley. As this was their only real "catch", between the two of them, they decided to liberate it. Before doing so, they asked me if I wanted to keep the fish. Very generous of them, I thought. Anyway, I also decided to give the fish its freedom. Splash, flip, flip.... gone!

My reward for that noble gesture came just a few minutes later, when a Seal swam past us, relaxing in the warm waters of the Wagonga Inlet. I was so excited by that unexpected sight that I took a few too many moments to reach my camera, and the seal had dived, only to re-surface way up stream, about one minute later. Still, it was great to see such a creature at quite close quarters, and so close to people.

I just hope that my recently "liberated" fish saw the Seal coming. Its a tough world, out there folks!