As the evening sun was setting, we tested the shyness of this pelican by gradually approaching his rocky Pt George post at Indented Head. As this series of photos shows – he was quite relaxed.

Pelican returns to Indented Head for summer

Peican is cool about our approach
As a child, holidaying on the Bellarine peninsula, these graceful birds were a rare sight. However in recent years, it is quite common to see them gliding overhead or paddling in the shallows. Despite their growing numbers, they are still a majestic and pleasant sight. I can’t help remembering the popular limerick -
A wonderful bird is the pelican,
His beak can hold more than his belican.
He can take in his beak,
Enough food for a week –
I’m blowed if I know how the helican.

Pelican still calm
This pelican was the first to return to our shores for the approaching summer. Perhaps it’s not surprising that he’s not that shy – he’s well used to getting close to humans. Over the summer he will position himself on the shore and in the shallows as he seeks to maximise his bounty – the heads and entrails from the fishermen’s catches.