As an animal lover I can’t tell you what it meant to see a group of people come together yesterday to save a pelican entangled in fishing line –

My experience is my perspective and what it looked like from the Navarre Fishing Pier.

I’m thankful for good people still in this world.

I was pretty far off so pics aren’t great. The first few you can see the lines and how he is about to fly through them – then others he has the lines in his wings –

Friday night I witnessed one of the most heartbreaking yet beautiful things –

This pelican flew through a fisherman’s line at the pier.

The fisherman ended up cutting the line but the pelican was entangled. Every time he tried to fly he would crash back into the water face first but not intentional.

He was going to drown.

I called the fishing pier line and was told if he is in the water they can’t do anything. The pelican kept trying to fly – and getting closer to people but kept crashing.

A couple of us from the pier started shouting at people in the water – once they realized what was happening they moved into action. These guys are heroes. I’m so thankful I got to witness this beautiful moment where strangers came together to save the pelican. I wish the pictures were clearer but they were soooo far away I am lucky I got these –

(some of the captions cover the images – click on the image to see the full picture.)

  • He was not going to let this guy touch him.
  • He was so entangled in the fishing line they had to get a knife to detangle him.
  • The other pelicans were very worried about their friend and flew over and in circles through the entire ordeal.
  • Lots of line to untangle.
  • Both the man and woman are pulling the line as the other two men work to unravel it.
  • They continue to fly . . .
  • And then the most beautiful sight – after the line was untangled and the pelican was free – he stayed out for several minutes. It was like he was saying thank you. It was beautiful.
  • And after a few minutes he flapped his wings –
  • The smile on this guys face brings tears to my eyes.
  • He stayed close to the shoreline and on the sand for quite a while – resting. It was obvious the experience took a lot out of him.

I am so thankful I got to experience this beautiful moment. A moment that challenges me and encourages me to be a life line for other women – for women who are struggling or who have lost their voice – to encourage them – speak up for them when they feel like they are drowning in the sorrows all around them – to speak the gospel truth over them – and to pray for them.

Make a difference in someone’s life today – you may just be the lifeline they need to point them to Jesus.