Gallimaufry#108

We were having lunch in a taverna when Petros, the pelican, waddled past our table and headed straight into the kitchen. I was expecting the kitchen staff to shoo him off, but I was surprised to see that no one batted an eye. It seemed like his presence in the kitchen was a regular occurrence, a part of the taverna's daily routine. Then, as if on cue, the taverna owner took out a fish from the fridge and fed it to Petros, treating him like an honored guest.

In 1958, a local fisherman discovered an injured pelican and tended to its wounds, nursing it back to health. Embraced by the people of Mykonos, the pelican was affectionately dubbed Petros (Peter), a playful reference to the Greek word "petro" which translates to "rock" or "stone," often used metaphorically to signify someone old and grumpy. However, after a year, Petros met a tragic end, with conflicting accounts suggesting either a fatal encounter with a drunk tourist or being struck by a car.

Despite the loss, the islanders sought to uphold Petros's legacy by introducing a successor bearing the same name. Later, Jackie Kennedy contributed another pelican named Irene to the island. The exact count of Petros's successors remains uncertain, yet pelicans have become an enduring part of Mykonos's local customs and traditions.

Today, the legacy lives on as not one, but three pelicans take up residence and freely roam the streets of Mykonos town

With an air of regal nonchalance, Petros strolls all over the town, commanding attention with every step he takes. He has mastered the art of posing for photos, apparently aware of the admiring gazes and clicking cameras that follow his every move. Tourists flock around the feathered celebrity, eager to pet and capture a selfie with him.

Petros seems to revel in the attention and enjoys being petted. And he willingly obliges when tourists approach him for selfies.

Here's another pelican who stole my heart—Willie from St. James Park, London.

FUN FACT

Pelicans do have a curious and sometimes playful nature, which can lead to moments where they might appear to pose for photographers. They often exhibit interesting behaviors like tilting their heads, spreading their wings, or staying still for extended periods, which can make it seem as though they're striking a pose. It's more about their natural behavior than a conscious effort to pose for photographers.