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."
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41 comments:

  1. JudyOctober 22, 2013 at 5:46 AM

    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...

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  2. Pamela GordonOctober 22, 2013 at 7:16 AM

    Hahaha. Great photos of these 'politicians'.

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  3. Our photosOctober 22, 2013 at 7:37 AM

    Beautiful are the birds photos!
    Greetings, RW & SK

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  4. Margaret Birding For PleasureOctober 22, 2013 at 7:54 AM

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

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  5. LowellOctober 22, 2013 at 8:03 AM

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

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  6. DarlaOctober 22, 2013 at 8:27 AM

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

    Darla

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  7. Buttons ThoughtsOctober 22, 2013 at 8:41 AM

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

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  8. MadSnapperOctober 22, 2013 at 8:46 AM

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

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  9. LONDONLULUOctober 22, 2013 at 9:10 AM

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

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  10. TexWisGirlOctober 22, 2013 at 10:04 AM

    ha ha. :)

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  11. Gail DixonOctober 22, 2013 at 10:17 AM

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

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  12. KarenOctober 22, 2013 at 10:33 AM

    They are pretty majestic looking birds!

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  13. KateOctober 22, 2013 at 10:37 AM

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

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  14. Ruth HiebertOctober 22, 2013 at 10:59 AM

    They look rather proper in their black and white attire.

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  15. Grandma Barb's This and ThatOctober 22, 2013 at 11:09 AM

    Ha ha. Love your description of them as politicians.

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  16. RoseOctober 22, 2013 at 11:09 AM

    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...

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  17. RoseOctober 22, 2013 at 11:11 AM

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

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  18. theconstantwalkerOctober 22, 2013 at 11:18 AM

    Wonderful gulls to see...

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  19. DaveOctober 22, 2013 at 12:55 PM

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

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  20. UnknownOctober 22, 2013 at 3:07 PM

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

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  21. MersadOctober 22, 2013 at 3:08 PM

    Love the moody feel of these images. Great!

    Mersad
    Mersad Donko Photography

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  22. RedPatOctober 22, 2013 at 3:27 PM

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

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  23. mickOctober 22, 2013 at 4:08 PM

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

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  24. genieOctober 22, 2013 at 4:15 PM

    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

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  25. Betty ManousosOctober 22, 2013 at 4:21 PM

    fantastic shots! that first one is really gorgeous!

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  26. Small City ScenesOctober 22, 2013 at 4:31 PM

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

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  27. Carole M.October 22, 2013 at 4:57 PM

    the gulls always make for a good photo shoot

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  28. GigaOctober 22, 2013 at 5:16 PM

    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.

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  29. Susan AndersonOctober 22, 2013 at 5:47 PM

    I love the sound of seagulls at the ocean.

    =)

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  30. William KendallOctober 22, 2013 at 7:22 PM

    Diplomats is a good way to put it!

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  31. StephanieOctober 22, 2013 at 10:07 PM

    Great shots!

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  32. CloudiaOctober 22, 2013 at 11:06 PM

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

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

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  33. Pat TillettOctober 22, 2013 at 11:57 PM

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

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  34. Cezar and LéiaOctober 23, 2013 at 3:01 AM

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

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  35. BeckyOctober 23, 2013 at 9:35 AM

    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.

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  36. ViolaOctober 23, 2013 at 4:00 PM

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

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  37. ViolaOctober 23, 2013 at 4:00 PM

    reat.. should be great ;)

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  38. Rune EideOctober 24, 2013 at 5:13 AM

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

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  39. Wally JonesOctober 24, 2013 at 5:24 PM

    Great photographs of these handsome gulls!

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  40. AnonymousOctober 25, 2013 at 12:16 PM

    Love your comparison to politicians!

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  41. LizOctober 26, 2013 at 1:00 AM

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

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