Take-away Diner @Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Everyone is invited to the 5 Star diner at the boat ramp.
All you can eat @Iluka, Northern New South Wales, Australia
The temptation is hard to resist as the fish is fresh and too often plentiful.
Locals @Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Hungry guests don’t have to travel far, most are locals.
All day @Iluka, Northern New South Wales, Australia
The opening hours for the ‘all you can eat buffet’ varies from day to day. Weekends are usually busier.
Waiting game @Iluka, Northern New South Wales, Australia
There is a fishing routine revolved around the boat ramp and hungry birds know it.
Scratch @Iluka, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Most fishermen take to the waters early mornings on their quest for dinner.
Cleaning coalition @Golden Beach, Caloundra, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
There is not much point to cramp the ramp before boaties return with their haul.
Sea of stars @Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Customers don’t need to rush to get to the fishy cleaning tables.
Neck to neck @Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
There is ample time to finish morning toiletries.
Stretching @Golden Beach, Caloundra, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
Nothing like a good stretch.
Now what? @Golden Beach, Caloundra, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
And wait.
The catch @Iluka, Northern New South Wales, Australia
However, there is a catch.
The One @Iluka, Northern New South Wales, Australia
There is always ‘the one’. The one innocent ramp-tramp.
Waiting @Iluka, Northern New South Wales, Australia
The one, who just sits there quietly and waits.
Perimeter @Golden Beach, Caloundra, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
He who stalks the perimeter, just in case. A fisherman could pull up at any time.
Bucket-list @Iluka, Northern New South Wales, Australia
How about this one? Has he got fish? Can I see a bucket?
Give it to Me! @Iluka, Northern New South Wales, Australia
There’s a bucket. Give it to me!
Meeeee! @Iluka, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Give it to mmhhheeee!
Theres a bucket! @Iluka, Northern New South Wales, Australia
This news isn’t new for long. Oi, he can sea bucket.
Pelicanotion @Iluka, Northern New South Wales, Australia
It sets off a commotion of the feathered kind, faster than the eye can blink.
Incoming @Golden Beach, Caloundra, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
An areal stampede flocks in.
Not Fair @Iluka, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Pelicanos aerialos is my latin translation for a rather classy motion.
Ole! @Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Here they come, it’s showtime.
Out of the way @Iluka, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Houston! I have a problem!
Ghostly @Golden Beach, Caloundra, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
Pelicans emerge from all directions. Almost eerie.
Here comes Jonny @Iluka, Northern New South Wales, Australia
The landing procedure is always amusing to observe.
Graceful @Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
The feathered brakes are tilted as the landing gear prepares for touch-down.
Double Trouble @Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Superbly executed on mirror waters.
Golden Spot @Golden Beach, Caloundra, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
Other opportunists arrived earlier and secured a favourable spot.
Watchful eyes @Iluka, Northern New South Wales, Australia
It appears to be a strong hierarchy within the pelican society.
Newcomers @Nambucca, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Newcomers stay back and wait for their turn.
Stylish @Iluka, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Unless, one is on top of the pecking order and gracefully push through. Pulp fiction style.
Ay Captain @Iluka, Northern New South Wales, Australia
This pelican enjoys commander status.
In line @Iluka, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Attention to be en-guard.
Dominance @Iluka, Northern New South Wales, Australia
The best feeding rock is prime territory and not for the faint-hearted.
Chaos @Harrington, New South Wales Mid-Coast, Australia
Challengers enclose the ramp perimeter as more and more fishermen are returning on their tinnies.
Beak Reaction @Iluka, Northern New South Wales, Australia
This pelican holds the throne until he got what he came for.
Body posture @Iluka, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Angle and distance are calculated for the right body posture.
Gotcha! @Iluka, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Nicely executed.
Style @Iluka, Northern New South Wales, Australia
And goes for seconds.
Seconds @Iluka, Northern New South Wales, Australia
His neck hasn’t even swallowed the previous catch.
Fish-Nazi @Iluka, Northern New South Wales, Australia
No fish for YOU!
Getaway @Iluka, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Most pelicans preferred to swallow their big catch first and paddle along with oddly shaped necks.
Unnoticed @Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Maybe no one else noticed the swollen glance.
Second row @Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
There’s no need to complain for the second row along the water’s edge.
Optional @Iluka, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Plenty of fish had been caught, there’s food for everyone. In a realistic but sad way.
Squabbles @Iluka, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Scraps often land in the water which causes havoc.
Fishfinger @Golden Beach, Caloundra, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
No effort is small enough for a fish finger.
Head-start @Iluka, Northern New South Wales, Australia
One just needs a good head start.
Jump around @Iluka, Northern New South Wales, Australia
A few more jumps.
Pelican Airways @Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Gone with it.
Size matters @Iluka, Northern New South Wales, Australia
What seagulls lack in size, they make up for with cheekiness.
Confusion @Iluka, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Aerial acrobatics seem to confuse the pelicans.
Cunning @Golden Beach, Caloundra, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
No other bird is as cunning as the grey heron though.
Frankly @Golden Beach, Caloundra, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
He has become a crowd favourite in-between sharp knives. Quite frankly.
Great White Heron @Iluka, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Now and then, his pale cousin shows up. He’s not as adventurous as the White-faced Heron.
Desperate or not? @Iluka, Northern New South Wales, Australia
As for the pelicans, they need to weigh up their options between hunger and desperation, before making their move.
Watchful @Iluka, Northern New South Wales, Australia
This will not go unnoticed. Each pelican watches out for any movements within this gathering.
Intruder alert @Iluka, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Intruders are seldom welcome.
Beak-Off! @Iluka, Northern New South Wales, Australia
It doesn’t take long before all feathers break loose again.
Sheltered @Iluka, Northern New South Wales, Australia
A few small coalitions were established within the dirty dozens.
Dirty tricks @Iluka, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Dirty tricks they play.
Back-Up @Iluka, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Each pelican needs to watch his and another’s back.
Beak-Theft @Iluka, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Beak-theft is surprisingly common.
Double Hook-Up @Iluka, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Even though the fish is hooked, it is still anybody’s serve.
All for one @Iluka, Northern New South Wales, Australia
As long that there is the slightest chance to snatch the catch, it’s all for one. Fish.
Runway @Iluka, Northern New South Wales, Australia
The safest strategy is to make a run for it.
Neckroll @Iluka, Northern New South Wales, Australia
The neck roll is a blow below the beak and ferocious.
A notch @Iluka, Northern New South Wales, Australia
I wonder if he got the message? But wait! Help isn’t far.
Hold-Up @ Iluka, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Bad luck, he’s the bully’s friend.
Unfair @Iluka, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Two on one don’t seem fair.
Mhhh? @Golden Beach, Caloundra, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
Things that make you go ‘Hhhmmm’?
Ouch @Iluka, Northern New South Wales, Australia
I couldn’t help to feel sorry for the bullied pelicans. It’s a tough existence within the flock as nature’s law prevails.
Beak-a-boo @Iluka, Northern New South Wales, Australia
I haven’t witnessed such vicious behaviour before. I certainly didn’t capture it with my camera.
Desperate measures @Iluka, Northern New South Wales, Australia
This adds difficulty to understand what exactly is going on. In these photographs, I didn’t aim for anything in particular.
Push the button @Iluka, Northern New South Wales, Australia
I just zoomed into the engaged mob and pushed the button.
Homeward bound @Iluka, Northern New South Wales, Australia
No doubt, that similar scenes will be repeated tomorrow.
Re-Open @Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
When first guests arrive at the star diner.
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