18th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
A Patient Australian Pelican

I was walking along the trail at Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary and encountered this Australian Pelican standing almost like a statue at the edge of a small pond. I was struck by the bird's size (about a meter tall) and its huge beak. I focused in on its steady glare as it was quietly watching the world around it.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 10.2019
Date Uploaded: 11.2020
Photo Location: Healesville, Australia
Camera: ILCE-6000
Copyright: © Peter Aikens