Diving pelican slams into swimmer's face in Gulf off Florida

by amyjudd | May 10, 2008 at 07:33 pm | 1247 views | 18 comments
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A woman is recovering after a diving pelican slammed into her face off the coast of Florida.
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.

Source: ap.google.com

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Add a comment Comments (18)

roosterwyt
roosterwyt

at 22:59 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.

amyjudd
  • super editor
amyjudd

at 23:03 on May 10th, 2008

It's a beautiful picture.

keithpk
keithpk

at 00:08 on May 11th, 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.

Cr3nk
Cr3nk

at 01:28 on May 11th, 2008

good stuff:

amyjudd, I like this story. It's good stuff.

quochuy
quochuy

at 04:28 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.

Anthony_B
Anthony_B

at 07:20 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.

klography
klography

at 08:38 on May 11th, 2008

This photo was taken at Civic Center Park in Broomfield, Colorado

klography has contributed a photo to this story.

David Moar
David Moar

at 09:39 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.

daisymaebear
daisymaebear

at 14:24 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.

kevinshaunpackham
kevinshaunpackham

at 17:03 on May 11th, 2008

this was taken on holiday in florida busch gardens

kevinshaunpackham has contributed a photo to this story.

coldethyl_55
coldethyl_55

at 20:30 on May 11th, 2008

Talk about luck. Poor bird.

coldethyl_55 has contributed a photo to this story.

pikchergirl
pikchergirl

at 08:35 on May 12th, 2008

These pelicans are common throughout Florida.

pikchergirl has contributed a photo to this story.

berryvantuijl
berryvantuijl

at 14:39 on May 12th, 2008

berryvantuijl has contributed a photo to this story.

aeminov
aeminov

at 15:48 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.

azzayindia
azzayindia

at 16:17 on May 13th, 2008

good stuff:

amyjudd, I like this story. It's good stuff.

jessica_ozer
jessica_ozer

at 18:47 on May 13th, 2008

This photo was taken @ the Vinoy docks in St. Petersburg, FL.

jessica_ozer has contributed a photo to this story.

Toby_or_not_Toby
Toby_or_not_Toby

at 07:46 on May 14th, 2008

Avifauna, Alphen aan de Rijn, Netherlands

Toby_or_not_Toby has contributed a photo to this story.

shahiremi
shahiremi

at 11:51 on June 1st, 2008

one of the huge pelicans in Kuala Lumpur Bird Park..

shahiremi has contributed a photo to this story.

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May 10, 2008 at 07:33 pm by amyjudd, 1247 views, 18 comments

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Cr3nk
First Flagged at 1:28 AM, May 11, 2008 by Cr3nk
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