Sunset on the waterfront, Amelia Island, Florida
After walking the broad Fernandina Beach and touring Fort Clinch, we longed for one last coastal sunset before heading back to Tennessee the following morning. Ah, yes. This will do: the waterfront at Amelia Island.
As we arrived, a man standing on a ramp was ending what he later told us was a nightly ritual: pitching fish into the water at sundown.
Feeding the fish at 5:30, Amelia Island, waterfront
The birds (mostly pelicans) loved it as they flew, swam, darted, and pushed — eager to get in there and get fish at any cost!
Seagulls, brown birds, pelicans, and more. Didn’t matter — all wanted a piece of the action. And here they came, flapping wings, splashing water, honking and screeching. We scrambled to focus our cameras to take it all in.
Perched on a post at Amelia Island waterfront
And just as we started taking pictures, one singular bird — a rather large, pensive pelican — perched atop a green post. And sat there. Watching. Waiting. Taking us in, or so we thought. He’s harmless, right? But with that stern look, we weren’t so sure.
He looked left and right. He stared forward and back. But he always seemed to have one eye squarely focused on us. And then, just like that, he was gone.
Taking flight.
By this time the feeding frenzy had ended, the man was walking back up the ramp, and birds began paddling around, content. We looked past the marina into the sunset once more as we heard the man, now behind us, say softly, It happens every night about 5:30. Come back tomorrow. It’s fun every time.
Looking into the distance at the Amelia Island waterfront
And we wished we could, of course.
Sunset, Amelia Island.
For more information:
Check out this post on Kate Harris’s blog: “Fifteen Things to Do on Amelia Island in 2015”
And also take a look at the site Welcome to Amelia Island full of suggestions for what to do and what to see on Amelia Island.
Here’s hoping you’ll have more time than we did to see this lovely coastal area!
For more on the Coasting series, click here.
Jill's Scene
I love the pelican photos. We don’t have them here. But I did see them near Fisherman’s Wharf in San Fran when we visited there – years ago now.
Oh, the Places We See
I’ll have to say my heart was racing just watching these birds so close to me! I loved taking their pictures, but I kept wondering if one would land on my head!!!! Thanks for commenting!
mmladyg
Was there a few years back. Thanks for the memories. 🙂 Beautiful place, rich history.
Oh, the Places We See
You are so right about the rich history. And beautiful scenery. We walked around the town and the beaches, but had so little time. This is definitely one place I would return. Thanks for commenting!
Pit
I really appreciate your articles. They’re ever so helpful since going back to Florida (and more of the southern east coast) is very high on my bucket list.
Have a good time,
Pit
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks so much for the compliment. We had not traveled much in Florida except Key West, so the coast was a welcome sight. For some reason, I thought it would be like Spring Break with all the teens, but it was so very different, at least on the quiet beaches where we were. I would love a return trip!
anotherday2paradise
Amazing pelican shots, and I especially love the sunset one. 🙂
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks! I loved the opportunity to stand still and take shot after shot of these huge birds. Would love to do this again . . . at sunset!
createarteveryday
Love it! He really did give you a stern look! Moments like that can be the real highlight of a trip! Thanks for sharing it.
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks for taking a look. And that’s what that pelican did. But I’m grateful to him/her. I never would have been that close or that still taking pictures if it were’t for the bird’s patience. And maybe a full tummy!