Pelicans Photographed Playing With Grinning Dog Toy in Australia
Wildlife photographer Lea Scaddan captured a humorous scene of two Australian pelicans interacting with an abandoned dog ball on a beach in Western Australia.
Two Australian pelicans were observed engaging in playful behavior with an abandoned dog toy on a beach in Safety Bay, Western Australia. Wildlife photographer Lea Scaddan documented the amusing encounter, capturing images of the birds interacting with a ball that featured a distinctive teeth-motif.
One pelican was photographed with the ball in its open beak, creating the visual effect of the bird sporting a human-like smile due to the toy's design. The bird then passed the ball to its companion, which appeared to readily accept it.
Scaddan described the scene, noting that the pelicans "investigated" the dog toy. Instead of attempting to consume it, the birds seemed to be actively playing with the object. The tidal sandbank where the encounter occurred is accessible to people and their dogs at low tide but becomes isolated as the tide rises, suggesting the toy may have been left behind by visitors.
