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."

Mid Autumn At the Lakeshore

Forgotten pail alone on a beach

The sky was blue for most of the day yesterday. My husband and I were out and about enjoying the fresh air, searching for birds  and looking for colour.  At first it appeared the water edges were devoid of people, that only a few colourful remains of summer were there such as a little, red plastic pail,..

  Lake Ontario, Port Darlington

surf and footprints,..

 Lakeside cottage

and boarded-up cottages.

 Lake Ontario glistening in the sun

But a few sailors were out, not yet ready to take their boats out of the water for the approaching winter and

Port Darlington light

fishers have replaced swimmers.

More photos from Our World can be seen by clicking HERE.

The November 1 theme for City Daily Photo bloggers is "Heights."