The Cheeky Pelican

Last weekend Penny and I went to Blijdorp Zoo here in Rotterdam.  I have been a few times before, but it really is one of those places you could visit again and again.  It was hotter than hell so I actually got over the whole fat arms thing and wore a tank top in public.  I was paranoid and self-conscious the entire time, but I did it.  That’s what counts, right?  Baby steps.

Anyway, I took over 6 gigs worth of photos which I still need to sort through, but I thought I’d share this little story first.

Not long after we entered the zoo we were walking through an area where a lot of the birds hang out.  There’s a wooden walk way through a pond where they keep their nests.  I was taking a photo of some ducklings when Penny told me to turn around slowly.  I wasn’t sure what I was in for, but then I saw this.

There was a pelican trying to eat this dude’s leg!  He also pulled the laces from his shoes and the guy even put his hand inside his mouth.   I took a lot of photos but they came out really blurry because we were all laughing so much.

Clearly he was not afraid of humans at all, and the guy said it didn’t hurt.  I wasn’t convinced.

Penny was though, so she went in for some kisses.  Awwww, so sweet!!

She really loved this bird, lemme tell ya!  It was totally gentle with her too so I thought maybe the guy might be telling the truth.  Penny put her arm in it’s mouth and petted it and everything, so it couldn’t be so bad, right?   If they could do it, I could… I mean it’s just a bird.

Just a bird my ass! Oh HELL to the NO.

Maybe I stood there and hesitated too long.  I mean I’m not usually one to be afraid of any kind of animal but this bird freaked me the hell out!

Apparently pelicans can sense weakness.  Seriously, I barely made it out with my life.

I called for the park rangers to come with the tranquilizing darts, but they just left me there to die.

That felt really friggin’ weird.  It didn’t hurt but still it freaked me out.  I couldn’t stop squealing, which probably didn’t work in my favor when it came to trying to stop the bird from trying to eat me.

I did relax after a little while… a little bit.  It was actually kind of fun!

Hey bird, you want something to bite?!

Oh that cheeky little devil!!!

He totally called my bluff.

More photos from the zoo to come, it’s going to take me a while.  It was my first time there with my DSLR so I put it to good use!  Prepare yourselves for lot of whining if I don’t get at least one truly stellar photo.