Seward, Alaska
As forecast, the strong north
wind died, and a major storm blew in this afternoon bringing strong south winds
and squalls, ending the two days of sunshine. What a contrast!
I checked out the gulls,
huddled on the gravel beach facing the wind and spitting rain. Among them was a
large GLAUCOUS GULL juvenile, with a bicolored bill, light beige plumage, and
pale pink legs. The other gulls seemed to completely accept him in their midst.
Looking for a Thayer’s Gull,
I studied a gull with a roundish flattish head, (depending on its expression), pale
eye, largish bill, black primaries with white windows, pale pink legs. I
decided it was a HERRING GULL, possibly a female. Thayer’s Gull ID is tricky! I
will keep looking.
One of the GLAUCOUS-WINGED
GULLS had a swollen area above the beak, but this infection (?) did not seem to
bother it, and indeed made it special and unique.
Two other Glaucous-winged
gulls were inspired to a little courtship bonding, bowing then raising their
yellow bills high and touching them like
a kiss.
Gulls are very interesting to
watch and photograph, as they’re graceful, smart and always up to something.
They have so many plumages, it’s always a challenge to try to figure out who
they are and their molt stage. And, they are usually pretty easy to find.
Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report
Reporter
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