Gulls Get such a bad rap...

[brewmaster15]

Poor sea gulls,
Everyone looks down on these guys in the bird watchers/photographers world. Sure they are loud and steal your lunch and mob you in fast food parkinglots. Sure they raid small defenseless shorebird nests an prey on their young and eggs.... and sure they are not colorful or dainty looking being generally more like bruisers. The coyotes of the bird world.

But if you get by all that, they really are beautiful creatures...

They are entertaining... as demonstrated by this fellow walking the tightrope...
https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3932/33589595991_3076c9a70b_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/TbcsDn)33388630121_d248b84521_o (https://flic.kr/p/TbcsDn) by Al Sabetta (https://www.flickr.com/photos/130140749@N05/), on Flickr

and they really are amazing fliers, that stocky build is perfect for the wind at beaches and oceans...

https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2886/33562515922_4e888f0948_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/T8NEFC)IMGP8917_02 (https://flic.kr/p/T8NEFC) by Al Sabetta (https://www.flickr.com/photos/130140749@N05/), on Flickr


https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2805/33718569395_29604d3929_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/TnAtWK)IMGP8690_01 (https://flic.kr/p/TnAtWK) by Al Sabetta (https://www.flickr.com/photos/130140749@N05/), on Flickr


Evolutionarily adapted to a wide range of temperature challenges... even ice cold water in the winter...

https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2808/33718565215_2be995ed92_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/TnAsGF)IMGP0364 (https://flic.kr/p/TnAsGF) by Al Sabetta (https://www.flickr.com/photos/130140749@N05/), on Flickr


https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3855/33562483702_62d31a58df_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/T8Nv77)IMGP0363 (https://flic.kr/p/T8Nv77) by Al Sabetta (https://www.flickr.com/photos/130140749@N05/), on Flickr


https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3838/32905223513_3fd4f21a45_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/S8HSxT)IMGP8853 (https://flic.kr/p/S8HSxT) by Al Sabetta (https://www.flickr.com/photos/130140749@N05/), on Flickr


But really when it comes down to it they are just as beautiful as their cousins out there...if you just look close.



https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3804/33562489702_11ba063255_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/T8NwTy)IMGP0428 (https://flic.kr/p/T8NwTy) by Al Sabetta (https://www.flickr.com/photos/130140749@N05/), on Flickr

al

[Discus-n00b]

Nice shots! I haven't done much Seagull work yet, hopefully some this summer at the beach. But I would think they are great to shoot. Big enough to grab focus and when they are on the ground they tend to be fairly still, and not that bad for colors! I wish that last shot had his head turned a bit more towards you to catch that sun, that would of been great. I really like that second shot of the bird in the air and the water motion frozen as it breaks up top.

[brewmaster15]

Thanks Matt,

If you want to practice, just hit up the fast food parking lots and landfills. They are like a second home to the gulls.:)



.... I wish that last shot had his head turned a bit more towards you to catch that sun, that would of been great..


Believe me I tried. The way the eyes are set back makes it hard. I even had hiim follow me as I circled around trying .... still no go lol... and by then the sun was getting harsh.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3838/33724410035_6480cd84e2_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/To7qar)IMGP0442 (https://flic.kr/p/To7qar) by Al Sabetta (https://www.flickr.com/photos/130140749@N05/), on Flickr

al

[Second Hand Pat]

Gulls are like crows, considered pests and scalawags but they both serve a useful purpose plus they are great to photograph. :D Love the first image Al...adorable. :D
Pat