The beach at Indented Heads can be one of the busiest places on the Peninsula during summer. Turning into a tent city, there's plenty of activity in the form of swimming, kayaking, frisbees and sun-bathing to keep everyone occupied. The photo of this noble pelican however, was taken in the off season, when the clouds were still low and the water quiet.
This bird was getting ready to take a dip close to the wreck of the Ozone Paddle Steamer which can still be seen offshore. Flocks of pelicans create a beautiful spectacle in the skies over Geelong and over the Princes Highway on the way there from Melbourne. Often they can be seen circling near the Werribee Wetlands or over the Brisbane Ranges.
Pelicans are unique, not only for their curious pouch-style beaks but also for their lightweight skeletal systems. They are a massive bird, with some boasting an almost 3.5 metre wingspan, yet are still able to float and fly because of their not-so-heavy bones.
