#PelicanYoga began with Lois’ dear friend Pelican Bill. One day, Lois and Bill were watching a family fish at the marina. Bill, not one to follow rules, would sometimes ignore the pelican safety guidelines.

While the mother was practicing her casting with baitfish, Bill swooped in and grabbed the fish. The hook embedded in his beak. The family did not know what to do, so they cut the line. This was the worst thing they could have done.

The narrator was at the Seafood Shack on a photo shoot for the Pelican Beakon. Ironically, he was counting the number of Florida Fish and Wildlife's "Reel. Remove. Release." stickers in use at marinas.

Lucky for Bill that he was able to land by the Seafood Shack’s front door. The narrator called bird rescue, and held onto Bill until the ambulance arrived. The narrator accompanied Bill to the bird rescue. Lois followed overhead.

When the ambulance arrived and took him into the hospital, Lois heard the narrator mumble, "This place is nasty and the people look and sound unscrupulous, just like the rehab center my mother is located!"

Lois had not seen his mother in a few days. She was always cleaning fish for others at the cleaning station. She was an old school fishmonger who always treated the pelicans to a fish snack. So she was in a rehab center.

Lois researched the Pelican Beakon's articles on both rehab centers. Both were a disaster. The common theme developing when she read one headline, "You went in and don't come out!" Lois was beside herself.

Lois followed the narrator to see his mom. Overhead, she saw a decrepit place. She overheard the narrator and his mom talking about her broken hip. Her son found yoga on the old television. The good television he had bought here had been stolen one day after he hung it on the wall. He had heard staff had left the window unlocked and thieves helped themselves.

Lois heard the narrator talk about how his mom had once been a yoga instructor and maybe she should give it a try. The narrator told his mother, you could do exercises in bed.

This is how Lois discovered yoga! She stopped everyday to watch and learn. Then she would visit Bill and show him what she had learned.

This helped Bill's recovery. He was healing much faster than expected. Now the evil rehab owners took notice and sped up their plans to sell Bill to an unscrupulous bird sanctuary. Birds inside had overhead this and didn't tell Bill for fear he would panic and give up. Or be injured while trying to escape. Instead they sneaked a message to Lois.

So Lois and friends plotted to rescue Bill. After springing Bill, all the pelicans wanted to learn yoga. Now, Lois had a mission to teach #PelicanYoga to pelicans and improve their health.

The food critiques just enjoyed the experience. Pichelin Guides gave the Seafood Shack three stars!

By encouraging visitors to post on social media and spread the delicious seafood word of mouth, this snowballed nationally and internationally. The Seafood Shack went viral!

The Seafood Shack had moved from being just another restaurant to a tourism destination.

Lois had a staff at the World Headquarters to train instructors, provide seminars and excursions and tours. The Bird Unity Yoga Movement, a non-profit, was started to improve the love of all birds through yoga. #PelicanYoga moved beyond just offering courses to pelicans. This was expanded to include all birds.

Then one day, the marina's Chicago Investors and new Caribbean Management Company abruptly decided to kick out the Seafood Shack and the owner. The out-of-state owners and new Caribbean Management Company thought this was an old eyesore and didn't appreciate Old Florida's charm. The thought of closing the "Old Florida" shack blindsided everyone. But trouble looms for Lois when she is forced to battle Chicago Investors who want to close the old Florida seafood shack.

Lois had a positive impact on the lives of birds. Both had put the marina on the map. But the Seafood Shack wasn't upscale enough for the uppity owners and new billionaire's toy management company. The devastating news rocked the world.

The local St. Petersburg community had embraced the Seafood Shack and worked hard to save it. While they gathered over 25,000 signatures,

Fishmonger Demonstrations

Attend live demonstrations.

You will learn about the history of the fishmongers. You will also hear from the fishmongers who have watched the demise of the old Florida seafood shacks. This is their story.

Hear how they are battling back against the big chains, who falsely promise fresh fish, and big businesses who are closing them.

The talk also looks at why the fishing industry is in decline.

Weather Seminars

Weather seminars are conducted by Robert Neff, Tampa Bay weather photographer and Pelican Beakon staff photographer. Learn about the storm patterns, sea breezes, water temperature, and how fast storms can form over Tampa Bay. Mr. Neff has been photographing and documenting Tampa Bay storms for over ten years. Tourism Bureau wishes he would stop posting these nasty storms.

Tours and excursions available

Take you pick from the beaches, cultural activities, multiple dining tastes, and outdoor activity.

The marina is minutes from several bird sanctuaries and nature preserves. There is great bird watching and exploring nature. Abundant outdoor activities are minutes away. Kayaking, kiteboarding and windsurfing is world-class.

The Pelican Beakon staff photographer, Robert Neff, conducts tours and excursions. He will even make recommendations for you. All for the low price of a super sized slurepee.

Downtown St. Petersburg, Florida

Downtown St. Petersburg is "Not so sleepy" anymore. Now, it's a vibrant and bustling place to live with world-class museums, basins for yacht and sailboat marinas, condos, both trendy and fine restaurants, craft brewery scene, building murals, and a connected waterfront park system.

Gulfport Waterfront

Gulfport is known for its great restaurants and "Hippy-dippy" vibe.

Pelican Rugby 7s

The narrator played rugby and is a social member at the local St. Petersburg Rugby club. The pelicans have their own rugby 7s team, also called Pelican Rugby Club. #PelicanYoga is used in the fitness training. Once a year, they host the Beach 7s.

Nature

Several bird sanctuaries and nature preserve are minutes away. They are on our photographer's tour and go by several slurpee stores!

Bird Watching

Birdwatching is year-round. Migrating birds and mating season offer unique experience for bird enthusiasts and photographers.

Surfing

Normally the surf is calm, but when the surf kicks up, especially during a storm, the surfers head for the waves.

Paddleboarding

The Gulf beach's surf is smooth as glass and great for paddleboarding.

Kayaking

Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico offer excellent kayaking and canoeing. There are trails to follow and plenty of boat ramps or areas from which you can launch.

Trails

The county and cities have great interconnected trails that accommodate both pedestrians and bikes.

Rookery

Visit the pelican's home and have a personal tour. There are many "Neighborhoods" to visit. So plan your trip accordingly!

Fisheries

Pelicans know where every fishery is located. The pelicans are always ready when the boats unload their catch.