Herring, and Blackheaded Gulls

These pictures are from last month, when I spend a few hours observing these immature Herring Gulls, Larus argentatus. It was nice and dry during this time, although the wind did bother me a little.

The harbour master kept a check on business and yet it was not bothered by my approach. It stayed where it was while the other two kept going to and fro-a game of flying off and landing again-


Sometimes they were on terra firma just long enough for the shutter to close, like here when they thought giving the master a few extra eyes might win them a few points.



A little further, near the old pier, I took some time to watch a number of Blackheaded Gulls, Larus ridibundus, a much smaller specie than the Herring Gull.

This Blackeaded Gull, Larus ridibundus, was the proud owner of its own island. peace didn't last long though; with the wind speed and water levels rising, real estate like this became sought after by more of its specie.


Not easy to keep hold of what you got!
A young Herring Gull, Larus argentatus,


The wind was picking up fast and the new tide was coming in also; This Blackheaded Gull stood on top of a bit of rock,, and looked very vulnerable.

Blackheaded Gull, Larus ridibundus.
the water kept swirling around its feet, and I caught this one in a moment of shame perhaps, that it was too scared to look at all this water getting higher and higher.
Eventually, the Gull did look down and the "shock" of all the water has it loose its balance. Lol.