27 June 2012

Seagulls

Location, Soldiers Beach this week, and I was hoping to see the whales migrating north to warmer waters.  There were a couple 'way out' when I arrived, so my priority was to have my camera set up ready to  start taking photos.  Hat and sleeveless vest on, tele-conversion lens screwed onto my camera, and settings switched to accommodate.  Now with camera and binoculars hanging round my neck, I stand for a moment looking at those car-keys, making darn sure they end up in my pocket before I close the boot.  Now, I can go watch for the whales.

Well I did (look), but then they had gone, and no more came. Should've been there yesterday! There were lots I'd been told, with dolphins too, and close to the shoreline!  Oh well; I enjoyed a good few hours, alongwith many other spectators, hoping to get lucky anyway. No doubt word had spread.

There's always a seagull though, so before I left, I wandered up and sat on the grass to take some snaps.












 

a little too much sunshine on a winters day becomes a little ... mesmerizing.  



And then a Willie Wagtail appeared, just to make my day.



Sharing with World Bird Wednesday






38 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

the seagulls eyes are so interesting! better luck with the whales!

eileeninmd said...

Great captures of the seagulls and I love the cute Willie Wagtail. Wonderful World Bird photos, thanks for sharing.

mick said...

Great close-ups of the seagulls and nice one too of the little Willie W. I hope you get another chance at the whales.

HansHB said...

Such a great post. I remember seeing these both the Willie Wagtail and the Seagulls when I was in Australia.

Brian King said...

Gorgeous shots, Carole! The colors are rich and the photos are sharp! I like the one-legged stand!

Jan Castle said...

With you, it's never a wasted trip...great snaps Carole!
Paper Hugs,
Jan

Judy said...

I love watching birds preening!! And that shot where the gull is standing on one foot - he has really been practising his yoga!!!

Connie Smiley said...

Willie made my day, too, and the seagulls are fantastic!

Anonymous said...

Wonderful series of shots! I like the Willie Wagtail too!

Horst in Edmonton said...

To bad you missed the wales.

Cloudia said...

delightful narrative and series.
I can smell the brine,
hear the birds!



Aloha from Honolulu,
Comfort Spiral
> < } } ( ° >

> < } } (°>

John "By Stargoose And Hanglands" said...

Some great bird pics. Pity 'bout the whales.

Giancarlo said...

Fotografie stupende! fortunata te che puoi vedere le balene, un pò ti invidio! buon mercoledi...ciao

Joop Zand said...

Hello Carole

What a fantastic pictures have you made, so close and so sharp it's really wonderful.

thanks for sharing this lovely post.

Greetings, Joop

Min fotogen said...

Fantastic picture of seagull!
I have just finished the book of Jonathan Livingstone Seagull again. writer Richard Bach,
Its about a segull who go behind limitations and reach higher goal. I can really recommend it!

Dianne said...

Gulls have such beautiful eyes ... Lovely close-ups Carole.

Anonymous said...

You captured how beautiful and precious these birds really are, Carole.

Unknown said...

Great series, and love those eyes!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

Stewart M said...

Hi there - I have never noticed such crazy looking eyes on Silver Gulls before!

Nice pictures.

Stewart M

Hootin Anni said...

Beautiful bird shots!!! Around here, in Texas, our gulls have no red ring around their eyes, so this was a special treat.

Kay said...

Very interesting pictures of the seagull. I love their eyes. The contrast white and red...beautiful and so sharp. Hope you are lucky to see whales.

Debbie said...

great seagull captures!!

Springman said...

No whales maybe, I hope these gorgeous gull shots helped to make up for it a little!

Hilke Breder said...

Lovely gull pics! They seem to be smiling! Wonder what kind they are.

Sallie (FullTime-Life.com said...

It definitely wasn't a wasted day -- those are great photos, your gulls have personality~ still I look forward to hearing about the day when you do spot a whale!!

Pat said...

Wonderful shots of the gulls - and the wagtail!

Rajesh said...

Great looking shots birds with nice clarity.

Karen said...

Great shots! The first one is terrific!

Les fous du cap said...

Very nice set of Seagulls ...
Céline & Philippe

Dave said...

a smashing Gull species, love the red bill and legs.... ver photogenic species

Well done

CameraCruise said...

Beautiful shots of the seagulls.

Nadege, said...

These shots are amazing. Great clarity and focus.

Jeanne said...

Such fascinating bird shots carole, and love the eyes... they look like a bullseye. Great shots!

theconstantwalker said...

Wonderful images Carole.. apologies for all the late comments I am all over the place at the moment... even posting on the blog is a struggle.
Hugs Drew xx

Lisa Gordon said...

What a beautiful series this is, Carole.
I especially love the first one.
It looks like he is posing just for you!

Laura said...

Love your seagulls!!! Perfect photos! And that sweet Willie Wagtail is pretty cute too! Thanks for sharing your wonderful photography with everyone!

Larry said...

You may have missed the whales but you certainly got some great shots of the gulls! Gorgeous Carole!

Judy said...

I love the red ring around the eyes!! I don't think the gulls around here have anything like that!
As for keys - I use a 'biner clip and a belt loop!