I spent a magical hour watching these beautiful birds wake up and eventually get going. Even now I can go back to the stillness of it in my mind. I tried to go to the beach every day with the camera, using whatever lense I had left on at the time. Sand and tide are endlessly variable, so there was always something new to see.

It was around 8.30…. early for me! I had my 80/200 telephoto lense. The tide was right in.

Three pelicans and a cormorant were all sleeping on someone’s old tinnie, moored just offshore. Tinnie is the local word for small boat. They all look like this within two years!

I tried to move slowly and quietly, not that they seemed bothered by me. I watched them stretch, yawn and preen. No one rocked the boat, it was all done gracefully.

After a time one flopped into the water and paddled off toward the reef – it’s a good fishing spot. Five minutes later another flew off, skimming the water, to the reef.

The two swam together in a neat formation. Maybe it’s a fishing routine, but it said ‘harmony’ to me. I think they mate for life. I tried not to disturb this pas de deux.

After a time, the third flew off, landing well away from my loving couple.

I left the cormorant to her morning, still resting on the battered boat.