A pelican hunts fish in the water. As the pelican flies above the water’s surface, why must it aim for the fish in a slightly different place than where the fish appears to be located?

Light reflects off the fish, except for light of the wavelength the fish absorbs, making the fish hard to see.

Energy from the ocean waves is transferred to the light waves.

Light waves are refracted as they travel from air to water.

Water absorbs most of the light, so not much light reaches the pelican’s eyes.