When I was a schoolgirl living in London, I often walked through Saint James’ Park. I liked the waterbirds on the lake, and sometimes fed them. In the far corner of the lake was a small island. And on this island were pelicans.. Such an exotic sight! But they made sure we saw little of them, and kept themselves strictly to themselves.
More than half a century on, something has happened. The descendants of ‘my’ pelicans have become bold, and saunter round the park , making their presence felt. As you see. Before long, they’ll be sitting on those benches.
For Jude’s Bench Challenge.
From Pyrenees to Pennines 
Oh, they definitely have become bolder! Wouldn’t surprise me at all to find them sitting on the benches!
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For a quick ‘comfort break’, no doubt, which I woud be sure to find myself sitting on 😏
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OMG, I can‘t believe I‘m seeing this. And I fear for the little boy. But such a great pic though.
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Worry not. He lives to tell the tale.
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No wonder. They are as big as humans now
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They have quite a presence, don’t they?
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They look more like street thugs actually
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A bit harsh!
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An amazing picture and a great, entertaining story behind it. Love it!
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Oh thanks! It was strange seeing my old stamping ground in such a different context.
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😊 For sure…I was wondering as I see similar ‘bolder’ behavior in other species. Maybe this is the way of our animal friends to request some of their natural habitat back. At least here in Asia were lots of it is lost to ambitious construction projects.
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Oh yes. Urban animal life must find it a bit tricky in those mega-cities which parts of Asia seem so good at. It’s incredible what adaptations some of them make.
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Isn’t that the same for many birds, particularly those in urban environments?
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Indeed. But I find it a bit strange that they kept theselves so much to themselves when I was young.
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Don’t take it personally Margaret
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I’ll try ….
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They are huge! That little kid is quite bold.
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That’s one fine fellow! My grandson a few years ago.
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👍🏽😊
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Always say hello to the pelicans when I’m in today area.
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I never got the chance when I was younger. They kept out of harm’s way.
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a wonderful photograph.. your grandson looks intrigued, did he try to engage or pet, or simply gaze? I assume those birds are creatures of habit and have been trained that food is to be had…
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He knows that wild birds, especially big ones, can be upredictable, and wisely kept his distance. Lucky to see them so close though!
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Your grandson (?) doesn’t look the least perturbed to see those giant birds so close to him. And isn’t there one actually already sitting on that second bench? A great photo Margaret – is this the second prize winner?
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You could be right. And no, this isn’t The Photo. I’ll post that tomorrow – by popular request!
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My favourite London park! I can’t say as I’ve ever seen the pelicans quite that close to people however.
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I’ve been told it’s not infrequent these days.
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I don’t think I’d like to be quite so close to those large beaks! Great picture though.
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I think both sides wished to maintain a respectful distance.
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Brave child that one! Those pelicans look bigger than he.
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But he hadn’t got any food to give them. He tends not to carry round raw fish 😉
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Give it a few years and they’ll be running for President.
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That would be a better option.
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Isn’t ‘bold’ the subject of Lens-Artists this week? Incidentally, I met Patti today.
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You met Patti??? Wonderful! I hope you had fun together. And bold? Maybe you’re right.
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There’s a saga, but I’m not sure it’ll be published.
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A child and pelicans–simply wonderful Margaret! I love this image.
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Thanks Anne.
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They are much prettier than the black and white Pelicans here
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Ooh, I’ve not seen one of those. Must look them up, though I guess you’ve posted one or two.
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I have posted lots of pelicans
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Thanks for these. I know you have. I just couldn’t remember where. I’ll pop back later and look them up.
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Boldness comes from protection I’m sure, in Australia recently I was amazed at how close the wildlife exists near humans when we are forbidden from approaching them.
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I guess people wandering tound a civilised urban park aren’t too threatening.
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So they have been getting fed, I would say. I love pelicans, one of my favourite birds, but they are big and they can be nasty. Very different to the pelicans here.
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I wouldn’t choose to get near a pelican. Their looks betray a dinosaur past which could have been bellicose,
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Urban emboldened!
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I think you’re right!
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Oh this is one of my memories too. I use it in my novel too- meetings with the pelicans! And also a poem mixing hearing Spanish there and seeing the pelicans! A great post Margaret and stirring up lots of pelican issues!
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Pelican memeories are good memories!
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