Closeup of Herring Gull
Not all gulls are rowdy and pests, but this species sure can be! It's one of the two species most commonly seen in the Great Lakes area. I recognize them by their size (they are BIG gulls), their pink legs and feet and the red dot on their lower bill.
A week or so ago, two herring gulls were hanging out with some Canada Geese and Mallards at the entrance to the harbour at Bond Head. Although they are BIG for gulls they are much smaller than the mallards and geese. Someone was feeding seeds to the birds and the geese weren't letting the greedy gulls anywhere near the seeds until they were finished.
Another view
The gulls kept trying though! They are very persistent and finally got to eat too.
I am linking to Saturday Critters HERE.
The red spot on lower beak is a distinguishing feature I haven't seen before EG, will watch for it in future.
ReplyDeleteGreat closeups!
ReplyDeleteI never get close enough to them, I must look very scary :D
Have a fine weekend!
【ツ】Knipsa
Superb!
ReplyDeleteGulls seem to be good at following others around in search of food.
ReplyDeleteLovely shots!
Great post and photos on the Herring Gull. I am glad they were persistent.. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Have a happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteThe things I learn here about bird identification! Looking forward to putting some of it use this summer. Oddly enough, we do get some gulls around here... not terribly popular however, many folks call them 'winged rats'.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully, and appealingly, captured!
didn't know about the red spot either. Loved how yellow his eyes and beak are.
ReplyDeleteThey are unusual with the red dot. Great shots.
ReplyDeleteA lovely gull except if you get in the way of that beak! Have a lovely weekend.
ReplyDeleteQuite a distinctive looking gull!
ReplyDeleteHi EG CG, Can't say that I've ever seen a Gull look better. Nice work! John
ReplyDeleteHe's proud of his portrait. See the gleam in that eye. On further review, maybe he's lookin' at that french fry in your hand.
ReplyDeleteTwo wonderful shots of this beautiful gull! Gorgeous!
ReplyDeletelooking so demure. :)
ReplyDeleteNice close up. Just mind your fingers when you feed them!!
ReplyDeletehe is a fine specimen of a gull. down here they are truly pest if people feed them. can't walk or sit or lay on the beach and if eating they are true pests... the gulf side restaurants when eating outside have signs posted, don't feed the gulls. but people do. sometimes they come and sit on the table trying to steal food.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shots. I like gulls.
ReplyDeleteWhat a pretty bird!
ReplyDeleteAh, I do love your gulls and your "up close and personal" captures are the best!! Such a great start for my day! Hope your weekend is off to a fun start!! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteI love these beautiful birds !
ReplyDeleteFantastic shots !
Have a happy weekend !
Love your first photo. Fantastic close-up!
ReplyDeleteOur gulls are not exactly the same , but they do the same thing !
ReplyDeleteThey really like fries.
ReplyDeleteI'm always delighted with you wonderful pictures! This fellow is cute!
ReplyDeleteWishing you a gret weekend,
Hugs
Leia
We both posted gulls today!
ReplyDeleteThe Herring Gull is our commonest gull too, very numerous. Your photos remind me that I shouldn't neglect either looking at or photographing them. Gulls are very photogenic as well as successful
ReplyDeleteThe Herring Gull is our commonest gull too, very numerous. Your photos remind me that I shouldn't neglect either looking at or photographing them. Gulls are very photogenic as well as successful
ReplyDeleteI know that gulls are considered pests by some,but I like them as they give good photo practice.You got wonderful shots here.
ReplyDeleteI don't know about this breed, but gulls in general can be very aggressive. In Florida, they will eat the food right off your plate!
ReplyDeleteI had an encounter with one in a parking lot this morning! Someone had spread food around for birds right by where you park the shopping carts and there was no way this guy was going to move and let me by! I finally won. ;-)
ReplyDeleteWonderful closeups!
ReplyDeleteGreat close-ups of the gulls. I'm surprised at how many different gulls you do see in Ontario. Wendy
ReplyDeleteLovely Herring Gull, posing for you.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if the gulls here are faring well....they seem to be so resilient.
ReplyDeleteI can't help but love gulls despite the...ummm... mess!
ReplyDeleteReally great photos..I corrected my ice cover statement. I know our local rehab and others are getting in lots of starving diving ducks as we usually have open water in the harbor and along the river..It will be sad time again..Michelle
ReplyDeleteAlways enjoy your nature study photos, thanks for sharing with us
ReplyDeletemy blog moved to www.pearlmaple.com
They are a two-edges sword--lovely to photograph but a pain to be around! Great shots!
ReplyDeleteWe learned about these big guys in Alaska. I used to only be able to ID California gulls and laughing gulls. I learned a few more last summer! A nice portrait and great description of all the bird behaviour.
ReplyDeleteWonderful close up shots of the Herring Gull, and I especially like the rather sweet expression in the first pose.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures of the Herring Gull.
ReplyDeletePerfect gefotogrfaeerd, my compliments.
Have a nice Sunday.
soemtiems these guys can be annoying, but I still miss them in winter. But they will probably be back soon.
ReplyDeletei am happy you've featured a critter we don't really appreciate enough! They do clean up after us.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos of them...interesting to learn about these particular gulls.
ReplyDeleteFantastic pictures!! xx
ReplyDeleteAwesome captures, a regular visitor around the jersey shore!!
ReplyDelete