Pelecanus occidentalis

Brown Pelican at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve
Fort Myers, Florida USA

When I arrived at the island at the preserve, it was immediately evident that
this pelican was in distress with fishing line around its bill and wrapped around one
of its wings. I made an effort to see if the bird would allow me to grab its bill so I could
remove the hook, but it was reluctant in allowing me to do that as it snapped at me
a few times. After I dropped my cigarette lighter in the water and twenty minutes later
allowing it to dry enough to light, I was able to burn the line allowing the bird free
from the mangrove it had been wrapped up in. Although the bird took flight at that time,
I was surprised to see it had returned to the same spot several hours later.