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Pictured here, a hungry group of Dalmatian pelicans had a "close encounter" with a camera. They are gathered on Lake Kerkini in Greece, ready to enjoy a sumptuous fish feast. As seen in the photos, when local fishermen haul their nets ashore, these massive, famished birds open their beaks wide, waiting to satisfy their appetites.
Lake Kerkini is a small lake located about 100 kilometers from Thessaloniki, Greece. It is considered one of the most important wetlands in Europe and is also a premier bird-watching destination in Europe.
42-year-old Professor Sbraglia said: "This place has recently become increasingly popular among bird-watching enthusiasts. Wildlife photographers and several local fishermen have started working as guides, leading wildlife lovers who want to observe the pelicans at close range."
"This area is home to many small villages where most people are fishermen, living a simple and comfortable life. For hundreds of years, a special bond has been built between these fishermen and the pelicans, which is why the number of pelicans has been increasing."
In winter, the fishermen provide food for the pelicans so they do not need to migrate south for the winter.
"A large number of pelicans help maintain a healthy ecosystem, so fishermen proactively provide food for them. If the pelicans were to disappear, the population of cormorants would become excessive, depleting the resources in the lake and endangering the ecosystem upon which the fishermen rely for their livelihood."
"The pelicans have gradually become accustomed to the presence of humans and are no longer afraid of them. In spring and summer, they are completely self-sufficient and rarely approach the fishermen. However, in winter, they rely on the fish provided by local fishermen to meet their daily needs."
"Most of my photos were taken on a local fisherman's boat. I didn't go into the water to avoid scaring the birds away, but I put my camera in a cheap waterproof housing and took many photos from the water. I would also ask the fishermen to throw fish to the side of the boat, and then snap some pictures when the pelicans came to eat."
"These pelicans are not very aggressive and, in general, are not very afraid of humans. But when they come to eat fish, they can be quite reckless, scrambling to occupy the best positions. So, it is inevitable that they might bite you, leaving deep marks and wounds on your body."