GC1FN7T Their beak can hold more than their belly can... (Traditional Cache) in New South Wales, Australia created by djcache

This cache has been archived.

Ngaambul: As there's been either no response from the cache owner, no cache to find or log to sign, or it's been a number of months since the last owner note. I'm archiving it to keep it from continually showing up in search lists, and to prevent it from blocking other cache placements. If you wish to repair/replace/make available the cache sometime in the near future (next 30 days), just contact us (by email), and assuming it meets the current guidelines, we'll be happy to unarchive it. Should you replace the cache after 30 days has passed please create a new cache listing so it can be reviewed as a new cache.

GC1FN7T ▼

A cache by djcache Message this owner

Hidden : 8/26/2008

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:

An easy cache when the area is quiet. If muggles are plentiful please respect the cache & leave it for another time. Thanks.

The Australian Pelican is djcache's favourite bird. Whether soaring on thermals or slope lift, or fishing quietly in a backwater or on the lake, or chatting with other fisherman perched on jetty pylons, it is in djcache's favourite elements - sea or lake fishing, or gliding.

The pelican is an amazing creature, with a beak unlike many others. The lower jaw is made of two bones which are flexibly joined and spanned by a membrane of skin capable of amazing stretch. A fully grown pelican can hold up to 13 litres in it's bill - so as the children's rhyme suggest "Its beak can hold more than it's belly can..."

They have also been known to eat ducklings, turtles & even seagulls at times, holding them underwater until they drown & swallowing them head first. Pelicans are often fed by humans whether it be fish inards or take away food. This practice should be discouraged as it can lead to problems both in their health & their behaviour. One bird djcache knows of, having been used to being fed by humans, ate a wallet from the edge of a picnic table.

The skeletal structure of the pelican makes up 10% or less of it's total mass - a surprisingly low 4.0 - 6.8kg. This aids their thermalling & soaring ability through maintaining a low wing loading for birds of this size & their wing span is an impressive 2.3 - 2.6 metres fully grown. They are regularly seen thermalling and have been recorded regularly at 1000m altitude (~3000 feet) and occassionally have been seen at as high as 3000m (~9000 feet).

The skeletal structure of the pelicans at the site of this cache make up significantly more as you will see when you get here. Over recent years as Merimbula has developed a significant amount of work has been done around town involving public art.

As you explore you will find seals, pelicans and even a sea eagle in the same fashion. They are magnificent and this cache site offers a nice spot to sit & ponder the artwork. At night the lights of town reflect off the lake and paint a different picture.

Sunsets through the now disused slip way are fairly spectacular at times also.

But for all the other things to look at, my favourite are the real characters of the town, the pelicans. Whether it be just sitting on a jetty post, feeding on the scraps from the fisherman or fishing for themselves they are magnificent. (Keep your eyes peeled for the stingray that lives in the shallows here also.)

Enjoy, please be discreet, this area will be swarming with muggles at times as reflected by the degree of difficulty, but at others you will have it all to your self. I'd prefer you DNF the cache and come back another time than risk it being muggled. Your respect & care will ensure it's longetivity.

Thanks,