The silver gull at Felixstowe Ferry.

Whoever gave the herring gull its Latin name of Larus Argentatus got it spot on - in bright sunlight it spectacularly lives up to its name:

They are absolutely beautiful in these conditions.

The tide wasn't yet all the way in, which meant that there were still waders about.  I was delighted to see this black-tailed godwit.

A nice view of the feathers on its back, as well as its fluffy bottom!

A redshank feeds with a couple of dunlins.

It was great to see a black-headed gull in summer plumage - it didn't seem too pleased to be under scrutiny!

A mass dunlin spook!

The redshank continues to potter about as the gull sits quietly.

A few of the herring gulls decided to put on a show.  I was a very attentive audience!

What a beautiful sight.

Those silver wings are looking good.

Finishing with a burst of vocals!

Our herring gulls are red listed birds.  Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.

  • Lovely selection ... and better light than we had!

    The final screaming gull is great. In the first photo it kind of looks like the gull has a weird artificial leg!! :)

    __________

    Nige   Flickr

  • Unknown said:
    In the first photo it kind of looks like the gull has a weird artificial leg!! :)

    I know - that's a thought for the future, cyborg gulls!  I had to post that photo, though, as the light on it was so beautiful and its head feathers are gently blowing ........ gulls do have such lovely, soft feathers (though I've only ever stroked one once!!).

    Our herring gulls are red listed birds.  Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.

  • Clare Bailey said:
    In the first photo it kind of looks like the gull has a weird artificial leg!! :)

    I had to post that photo, though, as the light on it was so beautiful and its head feathers are gently blowing [/quote]

    I certainly wasn't criticising and I agree it is a lovely portrait with or without the artificial leg. 

    Clare Bailey said:
    that's a thought for the future, cyborg gulls!

    That would be weird ... although possibly better than Terminator Gulls

    __________

    Nige   Flickr

  • Unknown said:
    I certainly wasn't criticising

    I didn't think for one minute you were.  I found myself looking at the photo again and agreeing with you.

    Unknown said:
    Terminator Gulls

    Heaven forbid.  Their poo is lethal enough.

    Our herring gulls are red listed birds.  Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.

  • Great shots of the Herring Gull Clare, they always look so clean and tidy, but shouting is one thing they are very good at:-)  Your black tailed Godwit is really good, I had to look it up in my book to find out if the beak is supposed to be that long!!

    Lot to learn

  • gaynorsl said:
    Your black tailed Godwit is really good, I had to look it up in my book to find out if the beak is supposed to be that long!!

    It does have a long beak.  When I first saw it I thought it was a curlew until I saw the beak was straight.

    Our herring gulls are red listed birds.  Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.