Pelican Scooping Fish in Glacial Stream

Cool mist hangs low over the glacial stream near Salvador, softening the edges of the water. A brown pelican leans forward from a low angle, its massive beak dipping into the rushing current to scoop a silver fish. Dappled sunlight falls through overhead leaves, creating shifting patches of bright white and deep green on the bird's wet feathers. The water churns with white foam around the bird's neck, against the smooth, grey stones lining the stream bed. Frost rests on the grass blades at the water's edge, marking the cool season. The bird's yellow throat pouch stretches taut as it lifts its head, droplets of water cascading from the beak tip onto the mossy bank below.