Some hands put the catch quickly into pail or creel.
Like slow-motion surf among rocks, tourists amble to the edges of the pier, watch the fisher folk, then retreat, coveting a touch of feathers. Slowly, slowly, the pelican sidles over to the boy's shoulder. Slowly, slowly, the boy eases his left hand over and down below the log and, slowly, slowly brings back up a six-inch smelt. Slowly the pelican stretches and takes the fish down the gullet, then settles a step closer to the boy. Onshore breeze murmurs harbor cooling.