I thought I was going to have to walk up and down the beach for a while to find him. I walked out from the parking lot and there he was standing. Right in front of me. I took a couple of quick shots before a jogger was heading for him and he flew off.
Up close. He’s really pretty! I have read that it’s been documented that he has visited this beach every summer for the last 5 years. I finally made it over there to look for him.
After the jogger scared him off, he flew far out into the gulf.
Close by, a juvenile royal tern was taking a nap.
There was a small flock of them right where the black backed gull was standing.
An adult flew in with a fish. He did not give it to that begging juvenile but took off with it in his mouth.
Another adult landed with a fish and was offering it up to his mate. It seemed late for flirting. Nesting season was mostly over and the babies were all flying by now. Maybe these were late lovers? It’s funny the way they do this dance with their wings. She did not take the fish. They both flew off together. Maybe they were getting a room?
This guy was all by himself. At first I thought it was a juvenile sandwich tern but usually they have a little more beige in their beak. Unless he’s a little older. Any ideas?
After missing out on the brown booby and the common eider, I thought I would try for the lesser black backed gull. I found him right away so after leaving that area I decided to try again for the eider. There were several other birders looking for him with no luck before lunch. Someone there told me a guy finally saw him on his 8th trip. It was only my 2nd time looking. Maybe I’ll try a third time. Is it “three times a charm” or “three strikes and you’re out” when it comes to looking for a bird?
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Hi Dina Great photos of GBB Gull adn of the terns especially the one with fishin his mouth.
Wonderful captures!
congrats on the gull sighting! love the terns.
Excellent find on the gull and great shots of the terns in action!
Great is the word for it! They are huge!
Wow … That is really something – the birds with orange beak… Wonderful series of photos – I love them all
Have a great week
Kind regards
Mariane
I”m not good at Gull ID at all, but this one definitely does not look like any of the zillions of gulls we saw at the coast last week.. Yours is much handsomer. I always love the terns.
Keep trying on the others (as if you need my advice, LOL)…you get such beautiful bird shots while you’re looking for other kinds….and it’s always a beautiful day on your beach!
Congrats on the gull, too bad the jogger made it fly off quickly. Your tern photos are amazing! We don’t get many terns in AZ, but the last tern looks like a young Common Tern- dark outer primaries and carpal bar.
Wonderful shots! I love terns too, and you’ve captured so fabulous images of them.
Love the napping little royal! Nice photos of all.
Magnificent photography of nature’s beautiful sea birds ~ carol, xo
Your photographs are superb…..some of the best I have ever seen. :)xxxx
Great post!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
Wonderful post! And the skimmers from the post before are stunning!
Cheers – Stewart M – Melbourne
PS: feel free to link up to World Bird Wednesday on my blog in about 5 hours!!
A great series of photos – the close-up photos of the Gull are especially good and I always like to see Terns.
Congrats on your gull sighting! My favorites are of the juvie tern! It is a cutie!
Congrats on the Great Black-backed Gull sighting and the most excellent photographs Dina! Love the shots of the terns too. Especially the one with the two adults, the one with the fish in its mouth.
A little bird told me I wold enjoy your blog and I did… I have always had a soft spot for seagulls as they remind me of my happy family holidays as a kid. Your great black backed gull is a very fine fella!
Wrenx