The Pelican

The Pelican above, photographed on my family vacation in Mexico has changed my outlook on life in the most simple interaction. I’d never thought much of the species before, until I found myself gazing at its beauty questioning its actions.

The bird had stared at me in the eyes without a shred of fear, almost annoyed by my very presence. It gazed at me calculatingly ever so often tilting its head at the noises around. I pulled out my phone and captured the moment in time as a woman approached me about the creature.

“That bird there?” She spoke in a loving way. “It waits there in the morning for the fisherman until they go out to sea and fish for the day.” She explained. I looked at her puzzled in disbelief, “There's a lot to learn from the animals.” She grinned before walking away without giving me any more information I craved.

She left me bewildered, finding myself questioning the bird even further, as it continued to stare at me. The next moment it’s eyes were trained downwards on the crystal clear blue ocean and what lay beneath it. It’s eyes gleamed at the fish trailing from underneath the boat, but it never dove down, staying planted in place, like a statue. The bird's eyes snapped up at every noise looking to the dock, awaiting something. Many people behind me shuffled past entranced with their own lives, without giving this incredible creature a sparing glance.

Large boots clanged onto the boat gaining a joyful squak from the Pelican, it’s wings flapped in anticipation. A chuckle drew my attention finding the infamous fisherman I’d heard about from the kind woman before.

“Ready to go?” The fisherman laughed at it, getting the boat ready to depart. The bird ignored him looking out into the sea of awaiting fish. The patience this bird exuded was fascinating, even with the big temptatious fish just below, one swoop away. It stayed planted on the railing awaiting the larger picture. I backed away from the dock but watched as the boat sailed away, saddened by the bird's lack of presence.

This bird struck me in a way I’d never thought possible, it portrayed things I had only wished to do. The friendship between it and the fisherman was magnificent, blossomed from the adaptation of survival. The bird takes help from others to further it’s life, and thrive, something I struggle to attempt in everyday life. The patience that was ingrained inside the pelican was inspiring, the self control evident. Letting itself stare at its prey, yet waiting to gain the larger sea of fish only moments away. Only if it waited.

My entire life I struggled with all the things that seemed to come naturally to this remarkable creature. I looked off into the ocean where the boat had disappeared glad I had gotten a photograph of the inspiring Pelican. I wondered how many had passed the bird without a thought, without looking deeper into its behavior. And how many were touched, just as me.

Now nature around me seems different, everything has a story to watch out for. Wherever I go in the world I always look out for unsuspecting teachers hiding in plain sight for anyone to see. I’ve taken these traits I’ve learned from the Pelican and applied them to my daily life, becoming more patient, caring, and open to others. All things as an introvert I had a hard time acomplishing, but in a strange way I want to thank the bird for pulling that out of me. Without the interaction I don't know if I would be as emotionally evolved as I am today.