Two of my favorite sounds are the surf and gulls, so this one does double duty for the theme. I find seagulls endlessly fascinating to watch and photograph.
This is a third winter gull (as opposed to the brown speckled first winter gull I posted ten days ago: http://365project.org/lauriehiggins/365/2012-01-14. In the third winter, the herring gulls have the traditional gray, white and black coloring, but their heads are still a bit speckled with brown.
@webfoot As a result of 365, I'm just learning about my beloved gulls, but as far as I can tell, by next year he will have a fully white head, so I'd say three winters. Did you know that gulls mate for life? They are incredibly faithful. Even if their mate dies, they never take another mate. That's one of the things I love about them.
Isn't it amazing how much we learn on 365 from our friends?I didn't know this about gulls, even though I live near the ocean. Beautiful shot and great commentary!
looks like s/he's catching the wave for sure! wonderful capture and title. i like the sun on the other one but this one has nice white markings to show off. perfect timing and comp
Wow, this is amazing. and I didn't know any of that about the gulls. I grew up around the beach and try to get to the beach whenever I can. I've always associated gulls with the beach. Last year, we moved to North Idaho (USA) and there were gulls everywhere. It was so weird for me to see them and hear them in the grocery store parking lot (for example) with inches of snow on the ground. LOL. So I learned something about them ... they weren't just for the beach :D Anyway, incredible shot.
Interesting thread, prompted by an excellent photo that says so much. Isn't it amazing how much this part of the world looks so black and white (even though it isn't) in the winter??
BTW, I didn't know that they mated for life...and didn't re-mate due to death.
wow, you certainly caught a perfect moment...and again, thanks for your comment on my photo you have so much insight. sending you tremendously large hugs...do you feel it.. :)
Instant FAV. Love the arch of the wings and the upturned tail feathers. He looks like he's surfing and ready to catch that wave. Great motion in the swirl of the water. Love love love it.
Winter gulls are tough, it's cool that you're learning about how to ID them by year. Nice picture! Keep a watch for all white gulls when you are at the beach, you might find an Iceland or Glaucous in the winter: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Iceland_Gull/id/ac
perfect motion shot, both of the gull and the water- great timing. I have a mixed relationship with gulls but this image and your words certainly bring out the best in them.
I have a CD I fall asleep to every night that has those sounds. I love your capture--it looks like a moment frozen in time. I guess essentially, it is!
i agree......these sounds are beautiful! i don't often get to hear them, but when i do, i love them. this photo is lovely and i think you caught the sound of the waves and the gulls in it. nicely done!
Great capture I love the waves. I also love the beach, the birds and the sounds. I have lived near the beach my whole life and never really knew how long it took a gull to mature and change colors. Thanks for the info.
Hang ten! Wonderful shot-esp love the bespekled head. I have always loved the underdogs of the bird world, like gulls, crows, pigeons. Great facts-thanks for sharing :)
January 28th, 2012
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I like this capture. Looks like he's getting ready to do some body surfing.
BTW, I didn't know that they mated for life...and didn't re-mate due to death.