Pelicans at Play

There hasn't been much sunshine lately so some of these pictures aren't too clear,
especially since the pelicans seemed to prefer to play in the shade.

I noticed this pelican trying his hardest to pick something up.

He was determined to not let whatever it was get away.

He was soon joined by either a buddy or a nosy neighbor!

 I thought, for sure, that it must be something tasty

because what else could be worth fighting over?

A leaf?

A fish?

No, a plastic bottle someone had tossed into the lake!

For over an hour I watched various pelicans take control of the bottle,

other ones join in the fun for a little while,

and then tire of the game.

Then it would start all over.

"Give it here...it's my turn to toss it!"

Even when the sun came out and preening for most of the birds started,

this juvenile wasn't ready for the fun to end.

"SO not fair that when I get the bottle nobody wants to play!"

"Quit your whining!"

Here we go again.

"Catch me if you can!"

"Just let it go.  We're tired."

"Then I'll just play by myself!"

And though I can't swear it's the same pelican OR bottle,

when we went back that evening I noticed this pelican seeming to be

guarding what looked like a plastic bottle so it wouldn't float away or sink!

(Follow his eyes and you can see the very tip of it sticking out of the water.)

And so it was...pelicans at play in Sunset Bay at White Rock Lake.