Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Great Black-backed Gull

 Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus)

Regal in appearance, Great Black-backed gulls are the world's largest gulls and their domineering attitude seems to show they know they are BIG.  They were once threatened by the 19th-century feather trade and 30 years ago were still rare on the Great Lakes. But their range has been expanding. 

They are opportunistic birds, fond of human garbage. As well, they prey on smaller birds, and/or steal their food, eggs and chicks, plus hunt for fish, mussels, and other marine invertebrates.

A gathering on a Lake Simcoe dock

To me these Great Black-backed Gulls look like politicians (diplomats maybe?) at a dinner party. FYI: that occurred to me even BEFORE I discovered these gulls were opportunistic by nature.
I am connecting to Stewart M's Wild Bird Wednesday HERE
The November 1 theme for City Daily Photo bloggers is "Heights."

41 comments:

Judy said...

They look like diplomats because of the black and white, I think. Like a suit. I don't think I have seen any here, though...

Pamela Gordon said...

Hahaha. Great photos of these 'politicians'.

Our photos said...

Beautiful are the birds photos!
Greetings, RW & SK

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

HI EG Great big birds and we have them here. They do predate the small birds but I suppose that is life. Great shots.

Lowell said...

Quite regal indeed. Don't think I've ever seen one before. Love that first shot!

Darla said...

While handsome they do look a little smug. Politicians indeed!

Darla

Buttons Thoughts said...

politicians at a dinner party you are so right:) Great shots. Hug B

MadSnapper said...

our gulls are garbage gulls to.. they will eat any and everything, these gulls have much different markings than ours here

LONDONLULU said...

A nice little comeback story for these lovely images!:)

TexWisGirl said...

ha ha. :)

Gail Dixon said...

Hee hee, yes their description sounds just like a typical politician. Too funny. They are striking gulls with all that black on their wings.

Karen said...

They are pretty majestic looking birds!

Kate said...

Although they really are dirty birds, they always appear so attractive. Like your analogy re. politicians!

Ruth Hiebert said...

They look rather proper in their black and white attire.

Grandma Barb's This and That said...

Ha ha. Love your description of them as politicians.

Rose said...

Their beaks look so strong...like they could just snip a finger off if it got in the way. Off to see what All about Birds has to say...

Rose said...

Just looked up their size....they are huge! Well, at least to what I thought they would be.

theconstantwalker said...

Wonderful gulls to see...

Dave said...

two really well toned images, I like these a lot. GBB Gulls are a particularly large but lovely gull, great post

Unknown said...

Handsome birds! We have them here too, but I'm not sure if I've seen one.

Mersad said...

Love the moody feel of these images. Great!

Mersad
Mersad Donko Photography

RedPat said...

Picking on the smaller birds - sounds like a lot of politicians to me!

mick said...

Great photos and I had to chuckle at the comparison with politicians!

genie said...

Looks like they are having a gull get-together there beside the water. Judy's comment about their "dress" really put a grin on my face. genie

Betty Manousos said...

fantastic shots! that first one is really gorgeous!

Small City Scenes said...

Haha---great commentary on the Gulls. Politicians!!
MB

Carole M. said...

the gulls always make for a good photo shoot

Giga said...

Lubię mewy, ale nie lubię, że te napadają na mniejsze ptaki. Pozdrawiam.
I like gulls, but I do not like that they attack the smaller birds. Yours.

Susan Anderson said...

I love the sound of seagulls at the ocean.

=)

William Kendall said...

Diplomats is a good way to put it!

Stephanie said...

Great shots!

Cloudia said...

they havent made it here. Such a sound of the seaside on the continent!

ALOHA from Honolulu
Comfort Spiral
=^..^= <3

Pat Tillett said...

They also look a bit grumpy!
Nice photos...

Cezar and Léia said...

They are cute! And sometimes, these gulls are very talkative! :)
Hugs
Léia

Becky said...

I have photographed these gulls on our side of Lake Erie, and am always amazed at just how big they really are. They actually tower over the more common Ring-billed gulls. Hope you are having a good week.

Viola said...

It's like they stand there waiting for *something reat* to come up.. :))

Viola said...

reat.. should be great ;)

Rune Eide said...

I could feel at home here - we have gulls galore :-)

Wally Jones said...

Great photographs of these handsome gulls!

Anonymous said...

Love your comparison to politicians!

Liz said...

Great gulls you have here!! They look similar to our Pacific Gulls

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East Gwillimbury is a rural town less than an hour north of Toronto, Canada's largest city. My family calls me CameraGirl because I take my camera with me wherever I go.