Having grown up on the Puget Sound, I find it hard not to see the species as raucous, garbage eaters, as demonstrated when some fool threw two pieces of bread in the water.
Since I’ve taken up birding and wildlife photography, I’ve realized that there is a variety of gulls and even those that seem to rely most on scavenging have their own beauty.
And, like the crows, gulls seem to be an important part of the ecology, attracted by the sculpins in the same way all the other birds are.
Though not as good of fishers as the Great Blue Herons, it was clear that they were perfectly clear that they were more than capable of catching sculpins and other small fish in the deeper waters.
I’ll have to admit that I was rooting for this gull when it was harassed by a Bald Eagle that wanted to steal its catch, even though it seemed only fair that a bird that often harasses smaller birds to drop their prey should be made to do the same thing.
Apparently all those years of harassing other birds helps to build skills because it wasn’t long before the Bald Eagle turned away in pursuit of other prey and the gull settled down to enjoy its catch.
Gulls are so opportunistic Loren and I really think they would try anything to get at food.