On My Walk
A sunny day in St James’ Park, not many people but lots of pelicans. I only saw five this time but there should be six. The have names – Isla, Tiffany, Gargi, Sun, Moon and Star. One of them has had a damaged wing for several years, there’s half of it missing, but it seems to function perfectly well without it. Perhaps it has to paddle when the others fly. It can certainly dive without any trouble.
There have been pelicans in St James Park since 1664 – a gift from the Russian Ambassador to King Charles II. Although they don’t generally stray far from the park they have been known to pop along to their cousins in the Zoo – and steal their fish!