....seagull

Yogis,
Every creature has a purpose and deserves a full life. Some though, illicit more emotions from humans than others. A seagull is one such creature. People love them, hate them, are afraid of them, feed them and use derogatory language about them.

I have watched and photographed them often. In the US and beyond.

I have discovered there are many types of seagulls, each with unique habits. I will begin with the ones I grew up with at the Jersey shore. The laughing gull. Smaller with black heads they are notorious scavengers. With each generation we try to train the toddlers to sit under an umbrella with a towel over their head to eat. But it isn’t until they forget and have a piece of sandwich snatched, along with some skin of a finger, that the lesson is cemented. A rite of passage.

At the bottom of the state, they have found the tip of the umbrella top to be a perfect spot. Here they have perfected the fly by under the umbrella, always coming from behind…..leaving no place and no one safe.

I remember sitting on a beach blanket when young and feeling a warm plop on my shoulder. Good luck, they say. We threw bread to them anyway.

Travel down to Delaware and their heads become whiter, with attention shifted from sandwiches to Thrashers french fries. They bicker as to who gets the top of the light poles which offer the best vantage point for unsuspecting families walking by with overflowing vinegar soaked buckets of fries. The swoops and ensuing shrieks are epic.

As winter approaches the mix of gulls evolves as some shift south. Bigger and more colorful, they actually work on catching fish!

I’ve noticed how in the cold early morning they naturally gather in large groups. Backs turned toward the rising sun to absorb her warmth. They lay down when relaxed but hop to attention on skinny legs when threatened. Be kind as they have incredible memories.

I can’t imagine the beach without the sound of their call.

Appreciating seagulls,
SARAH