May 22 - More Birds

While the kookaburra has a distinctive call, the pelican has the distinction of being the largest bird in Australia with the ability to fly.  While ungainly looking on the ground, the pelican in flight is graceful, and is able to soar long distances with very little wing movement. The emu is actually the largest bird in Australia but it cannot fly.

Today, Lyle and I drove to a beach area just north of where we are staying.  At this spot, The Entrance, pelicans are treated to a daily feeding of fish.  This daily show started in 1979 when a fellow from the local fish and chip shop began throwing leftover scraps to the pelicans. Now, on each of the 365 days in the year, the pelicans gather for this treat.

Below, you are two pictures of pelicans.  The first shows a single pelican in the water.  The second shows part of the flock as they gathered to wait for the daily fish treat.

Pelican

Flock of Pelicans