I anchored in Poquoson and went below to get a break from the sun and wind and check emai after a 48 nm day. I'd just gotten the computer running when I heard a strange kind of fluttering crash on deck. My first thought was that the headstay had parted and the roller jib had come down on deck.
I rushed to the companionway, stuck my head out, and turned around. Wow. My back still hurts from the spasm caused by the surprise of finding this eight inches from my face:
I ducked quickly back down below and crept slowly back out into the cockpit with my camera. I needn't have worried about the creeping, this bird was utterly unconcerned about sudden appearance. It was as calm as a professional model as I took picture after picture. Then, I sat down and we had some inter-species communication.
Scientists have been learning in recent years that birds are capable of intelligence that goes far beyond our simple, "Brain size equals smarts" models. Pelicans are my favorite birds and the soulful eyes of this creature reminded me of my collie. The way it was completely aware of my presence and movement reminded me of her as well.
After a long, long time for such an encounter, the bird looked me straight in the eye and then took off. If I ever decide to write a fictional account of meeting and alien sitting calmly outside her flying saucer and just sitting like this and assessing each other, this will certainly be the model for the story.
I got some video as well:
http://www.cruisingonstrider.us/videos/Pelican.wmv
I rushed to the companionway, stuck my head out, and turned around. Wow. My back still hurts from the spasm caused by the surprise of finding this eight inches from my face:
I ducked quickly back down below and crept slowly back out into the cockpit with my camera. I needn't have worried about the creeping, this bird was utterly unconcerned about sudden appearance. It was as calm as a professional model as I took picture after picture. Then, I sat down and we had some inter-species communication.
Scientists have been learning in recent years that birds are capable of intelligence that goes far beyond our simple, "Brain size equals smarts" models. Pelicans are my favorite birds and the soulful eyes of this creature reminded me of my collie. The way it was completely aware of my presence and movement reminded me of her as well.
After a long, long time for such an encounter, the bird looked me straight in the eye and then took off. If I ever decide to write a fictional account of meeting and alien sitting calmly outside her flying saucer and just sitting like this and assessing each other, this will certainly be the model for the story.
I got some video as well:
http://www.cruisingonstrider.us/videos/Pelican.wmv