One quiet Saturday afternoon, I was walking along the beach when I spotted one of my favourite locals—Blue Bill, the pelican with the gray feathers, black-tipped wings, a sunshine-yellow head, and of course, that unmistakable blue bill. He was gliding effortlessly over the water, skimming the surface as if he owned the Gulf. I snapped a photo just as he swooped by, and later that day, I turned it into his portrait. True to form, Blue Bill landed beside me afterward, gave me a knowing look, and reminded me to send him a copy when it was finished. So I did.