And They Come

   One thing about most wildlife is that they are always searching for food.  It is a matter of survival where nigh on every waking moment is spent feeding the belly.  For humans, it is a "cute" effort to lure a wild critter near enough to be fed.  Sometimes, that works well.  Sometimes, it is deadly.  Putting seeds in a birdfeeder is not a bad idea.  Feeding large predators can be a bad idea.  In fact...that is never a good idea.  Other times, feeding critters can make them become a nuisance as they become accustomed to handouts and have no idea when to stop coming and continue hunting.  

  Yesterday, Mark caught a bucketful of mullet.  He cleaned the fish to give to some elderly neighbors and close friends but then had an excess of leftover scraps.  Usually, these are put in the crab traps but with the overload of fish came an overload of scraps.  I started just tossing these scraps into the water as crabs, fish, birds and otters are always eager to grab lunch.  As I was doing this, two pelicans came to get their bellies full.  Soon, another came.  This was ok as there was plenty to go around.  The pelicans ate well and the scraps were all disposed.

  This morning, more fish were caught and cleaned.  The pelicans had obviously told their neighbors because now five came!  There were more pelicans but fewer fish. Still, there was no squabbling and each bird managed to get breakfast.  Pelicans are some of those birds that have no fear.  They literally will come within a few inches of you while begging for a handout. 

  With the number of pelicans increasing, I ponder what tomorrow's cleaning will be like.  Will there be more pelicans?  Mark sure better catch a lot of fish with that many mouths to feed!  Seems as if we started something!