These photos were taken not too far from Pike's Market Place in Seattle in 2009.
There were those who really didn't want to be photographed...
and didn't stay around long enough to pose. 
But then again...
"Is this my good side?"
There were the fly-bys...
and the ones who were enjoying bread from a man feeding them. 
A quote I once read from Edward Norton Lorenz, a meteorologist and mathematician, had remarked that if the theory was correct, one flap of a seagull's wings could alter the course of the weather forever. (We also now know that there is no such thing as a seagull, but the term is commonly used to refer to a variety of gull species.) I could believe that quote when I saw this sight. Those wings were flapping up a storm. I couldn't tell who was having more of a good time, the birds or the man. He had such a wonderful smile on his face, but I feared for his fingers as they came down in droves.
An ear-splitting cacophony! I wasn't far from putting my hands over my ears.
Stroppy little thing, this one kept asking for more.
I am a big, big fan of gulls. Bread isn't good for most birds so I avoid it, but can vouch for the happy feeling that feeding birds gives.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy them also Sue and I am the same with bread since I saw its effects, not just bread but other human food, on a goose's wings, two or three geese in one flock. It was heartbreaking. I agree, however, that feeding them is a wonderful thing, especially when their natural food is so scarce in the wintertime. I pay extra special attention to the kind of birdseed I purchase.
DeleteLovely to see these nice photos, Denise. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWonderful Margaret, very happy you enjoy them and you are very welcome :)
DeleteYour photos are amazing. How cool that they were taking bread right out of that guys hand. He looks like he's enjoying himself feeding them
ReplyDeleteThank you Ann, I really appreciate that. Yes, I feared for the dear man's fingers :)
DeleteBeautiful, dear Denise. I really like your photos...it's a joy to see. And I especially like the third photo.
ReplyDeleteViola sends you kind regards
Thank you so much Viola :) So pleased you found them so. Kind regards to you also my dear friend.
DeleteThey just seem so aggressive
ReplyDeleteThey do don't they, very frenzied but at the same time it was a delightful image seeing those very large wings spread out and descend from the sky. The man feeding them just laughed and his laughter was infectious. I remember this feeling all these years later :)
DeleteLiving near the River Teign, we have the Herring Gulls visiting us frequently if we happen to throw out food for the birds! When I taught in a school not far away, after the children went in from their playtime, the playground would be covered in gulls looking for scraps of food. Lovely photos btw! 😁
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Sal :) I remember them well from my years living in Devon. Always fun to see. I was introduced to them at an early age when we started visiting every year. I must have been about eight years' old. Absolutely delighted to watch them hover.
DeleteThose birds are surprisingly large close to. I don't think I'd offer my fingers quite so freely. Lovely photographs, Denise.
ReplyDeleteYes, we'd have to watch it wouldn't we? :)
DeleteHello, Denise
ReplyDeleteA great post and beautiful Gull photos. I know feeding bread to the birds is not good. I think corn may be a better food for the birds. Take care, enjoy your day and happy weekend to you!
Thank you Eileen, I have heard about the corn. Thank you and hope your weekend was a great one :)
DeleteI have such a hard time getting birds in flight so I am especially in admiration of your lovely flight photos!
ReplyDeleteThank you Jeanie, it was fun taking their photos. I am not quite as steady handed as I used to be so I find it more difficult these days :)
DeleteFeeding birds is not necessarily bad, especially during harsh winters and after weather events such as ice storms, it’s what you feed them that counts. Food like corn, sunflowers seeds, fat etc is beneficial. Keep the stale doughnuts for yourself!
ReplyDeleteAgree with you, and here I am having just fed our backyard birds their birdseed. Most definitely keep the stale doughnuts away :)
DeleteYou still got some good shots there even they didn't want to be photographed :-))
ReplyDeleteThanks Angie, I have my ways ;)
Deletei am a lover of gulls and these make me feel JOY, especially the man feeding them. awesome photos, love that lift off and all those wings in flight. did I say AWESOME PHOTOS? really they are!!!!
ReplyDeleteThat's really sweet of you to say Sandra. It was a totally joyful scene. Thank you my friend, I very much appreciated your kind words :)
DeleteLove it, I found the gulls in Seattle to be very jaded!!
ReplyDeleteI hope you had a great Thanksgiving.
Thanks Yogi, we had a lovely Thanksgiving thank you and I hope you did too. Gulls will be gulls :)))
DeleteWhat a vivid memory! The combination of the seagulls and the man feeding them sounds both chaotic and heartwarming. The reflection on how times change, especially with the shift in feeding practices, adds a thoughtful touch. I just shared a blog post, let me know what you think.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed Melody, thank you so much! I'll pop over in a little while.
DeleteI did enjoy these great photos of the gulls, Denise. Happy Black Friday to you.
ReplyDeleteSo glad Ellen, thanks for letting me know and I hope you had a great Friday :)
DeleteI think gulls cover all of north America. I saw some gulls in the Arctic.
ReplyDeleteThey get everywhere it seems don't they :)
DeleteGiggling at the dove showing you his tail fevvers
ReplyDeleteHugs Cecilia
That's one of my favorite photos Cecilia. Thank you my friend and sending hugs.
DeleteGreat photos Denise! I enjoy seeing the gulls but have a hard time identifying them. No matter as they are quite entertaining. Lovely to see joy on the man's face!
ReplyDeleteThank you Martha Ellen, I can never keep the gulls ID's straight :) It was a truly very happy scene.
DeleteI love these! The third one highlights the beautiful feather pattern. And how on earth could you capture the man feeding the bird, right at the exact moment? I think feeding them is only bad if you feed them the wrong food.
ReplyDeleteThank you Ginny, a lot of these situations in getting photos is just plain luck :) It is a joy to feed birds, I love seeing ours enjoying the seed I put out.
DeleteBellas aves. te mando un beso.
ReplyDeleteEstou feliz que você os ache lindos. Concordo :) Obrigada e mando um beijo.
DeleteI enjoyed seeing these gull photographs.
ReplyDeleteYes, feeding birds bread is not a good idea ... seeds and fat is better.
All the best Jan
That makes me happy Jan, thank you very much :) and I agree with you. All the best to you too.
DeleteI'd be worried for his fingers too.
ReplyDeleteActually, right now... that would be discouraged in Hawaii. We are having a dangerous case of Avian flu and we're told to avoid getting close to birds or dead birds that drop from trees like one did when our friends were out walking one morning.
I am sorry to know that Avian flu is a problem where you are. That's quite a scary situation.
DeleteI did enjoy them!
ReplyDeleteSo glad Rose, they are fun birds to observe :)
DeleteThank you. I've seen birds attack people, especially kids, who have food. Have a good weekend.
ReplyDeleteI was chased by a big old white goose when carrying a sandwich. I have never forgotten it, this is going back to when I was about 7 years old. I always remember my Aunty yelling after me as I did the 4-minute mile across the grassy knoll, "Drop the sandwich, drop the sandwich." I guess I didn't drop the sandwich, LOL!
Delete