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Diving pelican slams into swimmer's face in Gulf off Florida
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by Amy Judd | May 10, 2008 at 03:33 pm
1536 views | 4 Recommendations | 18 comments
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I'm sad the bird died though.
Debbie Shoemaker of Toledo, Ohio, was in the water Thursday near St. Petersburg when the pelican's beak opened a gash in her face. She needed 20 stitches. The bird died.
The chief of the St. Petersburg Fire Department says he never heard of a diving pelican colliding with anyone.
An expert surmises the bird was diving for fish and hit Shoemaker by accident.
The 50-year-old woman returned home Friday.
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (18)
at 18:59 on May 10th, 2008
This photo was taken at Reddington Beach in Reddington Florida. The Pelican had no interest in flying away and I have 3 photos showing this particuylar bird keeping an eye on my every move.
They are very unique birds
roosterwyt has contributed a photo to this story.
at 19:03 on May 10th, 2008
It's a beautiful picture.
at 20:08 on May 10th, 2008
This photo was taken in La Jolla, CA at a protected rock where many different types of birds hang out.
keithpk has contributed a photo to this story.
at 21:28 on May 10th, 2008
amyjudd, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 00:28 on May 11th, 2008
What a sad accident. It's also I heard of an accident by a pelican. Hope she will recover well.
quochuy has contributed a photo to this story.
at 03:20 on May 11th, 2008
Hi Amy,
This photo was taken on the Broadwater at Southport, which is on the Gold Coast in Australia. He sat on this post for ages.
cheers
Anthony_B has contributed a photo to this story.
at 04:38 on May 11th, 2008
This photo was taken at Civic Center Park in Broomfield, Colorado
klography has contributed a photo to this story.
at 05:39 on May 11th, 2008
hey Amy Judd wow what a story....talk about unlucky....i have some more shots from that day and would be glad to pass them on and can get more shots of more than just one bird ....regards David Moar
David Moar has contributed a photo to this story.
at 10:24 on May 11th, 2008
I woud like to receive the publication after it is published. Is there any compensation for this use of my photos. There is also a more artistic photo of two Pelicans sitting on a boat...
daisymaebear has contributed a photo to this story.
at 13:03 on May 11th, 2008
this was taken on holiday in florida busch gardens
kevinshaunpackham has contributed a photo to this story.
at 16:30 on May 11th, 2008
Talk about luck. Poor bird.
coldethyl_55 has contributed a photo to this story.
at 04:35 on May 12th, 2008
These pelicans are common throughout Florida.
pikchergirl has contributed a photo to this story.
at 10:39 on May 12th, 2008
berryvantuijl has contributed a photo to this story.
at 11:48 on May 13th, 2008
No diving pelican he. This pelican was having a peaceful snooze among pink flamingos in Henry Vilas Zoo in Madison, Wisconsin.
aeminov has contributed a photo to this story.
at 12:17 on May 13th, 2008
amyjudd, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 14:47 on May 13th, 2008
This photo was taken @ the Vinoy docks in St. Petersburg, FL.
jessica_ozer has contributed a photo to this story.
at 03:46 on May 14th, 2008
Avifauna, Alphen aan de Rijn, Netherlands
Toby_or_not_Toby has contributed a photo to this story.
at 07:51 on June 1st, 2008
one of the huge pelicans in Kuala Lumpur Bird Park..
shahiremi has contributed a photo to this story.