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Freedom for Gulls


Freedom for Gulls
Photo Information
Copyright: Stephanie Loh (greenpinkorange) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 293 W: 97 N: 415] (1783)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-07-18
Categories: Birds
Camera: Casio Exilim Z40
Exposure: f/4.8, 1/500 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2006-10-19 20:45
Viewed: 1259
Points: 20
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Gulls!!!

A very common species of gulls in Canada. Often seen picking off people's leftovers on the tables and plates, and even on the floor.

Noisy birds when they would fight with each other to snatch food. People... DO NOT FEED THEM!

They are so bold, that they aren't afraid of humans anymore!

Nice looking but pest to many people, especially restaurant owners.

And pls do not look up and open your mouth, u never know what surprise might be dropping from the sky. . .

__________

There are approximately 88 species of birds belonging to the family Laridae, of which 54 are gulls.
The term "Seagull" is misleading as many species of gulls feed and/or nest inland. Gulls are distributed worldwide with the exception of tropical deserts and jungles and some central Pacific islands. Gulls are fairly uniform in shape with varied coloration and size. The range of plumages that they have depends on their age and time of year. Gulls range from about 11 to 32 inches in length.

They can appear motionless in midair by catching wind currents with perfect timing and precision while positioning their bodies at just the right angle. Seagulls are a typical feature of coastal towns, and have existed alongside humans for many thousands of years.

The seagull is best known as a scavenger. It is most often seen in large, noisy flocks congregating where food is available, around fishing boats, picnic grounds, parking lots and garbage dumps. Many people consider it a nuisance. but the gull performs a valuable service. It scavenges up great numbers of dead or injured animals and organic litter which could pose a health threat to humans. In the fields it devours large amounts of destructive pests such as grasshoppers, and mice. The call of the gull is distinctive, a shrill, screatchy Eurl repeated incessantly. *** SO they do have some use!

Song to a Seagull
Fly silly seabird
No dreams can possess you
No voices can blame you
for sun on your wings
My gentle relations
Have names they must call me
For loving the freedom
Of all flying things
My dreams with the seagulls fly
Out of reach, out of cry

Joni Mitchell, 1968
"Gulls"

___

Interesting Fact about Gulls:

Ring-billed Gulls "play" by dropping objects while in flight, then swooping down to catch them. This playful behavior may be practice for catching and retrieving prey.

Laughing Gulls nest in colonies that can consist of 25,000 pairs. As an example of "kleptoparasitism" (stealing), adult Laughing Gulls choose to steal fish from juvenile Brown Pelicans but younger gulls choose their pelican victims at random. Because they try to steal from adult pelicans (who are better at preventing stealing), young gulls are less likely to succeed at stealing.

_______

PP Notes:
Crop, Framed. That's it. No other PP work done.
cecilia, fthsm, Janice, glazzaro, horia, Alex99, Ken52, loot has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Excellent capture - very neat and pure image....
Regards,
Cecilia

  • Great 
  • fthsm Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 147 W: 47 N: 435] (2905)
  • [2006-10-20 0:23]

Neat, sharp and beatiful photo. Contrast of gull and sky is nice.
TFS Steph

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3315 W: 148 N: 6113] (18648)
  • [2006-10-20 0:44]

Oh to be free to be able to fly like this! It's a pretty picture, the sky's an awesome colour. The bird is a little unclear to see, but well placed in the scene.. And your notes are excellent! Good one Stephanie
Janice

Well taken, looks almost like the Dove of Peace! ;)

Greg

  • Great 
  • horia Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2171 W: 218 N: 4383] (14900)
  • [2006-10-20 4:12]

Hello Stephanie

Simple yet very effective!
Excellent shot...looks like a postcard from somewhere nice and warm to me :)
Lovely colors and details, well framed and composed.

Bravo and TFS
Horia

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3584 W: 143 N: 5669] (18531)
  • [2006-10-21 5:59]

Hi Stephanie.
What a nice colours of your pretty picture. The seagull seems absolutely air. Its colours are thinnest and elegance. POV and composition are very well too. My best regards and TFS,
Alexei.

Hi Steph,
I like this composition and POV very much. It is very nice to see the contrast between the white and blue. Lightning on the gull is very nice. Well done and TFS,
Claudine

  • Great 
  • kona Silver Star Critiquer [C: 35 W: 3 N: 0] (869)
  • [2006-11-16 23:11]

The sky and a gull. Balance of blue and white is good..kona

  • Great 
  • Ken52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 640 W: 98 N: 1241] (4189)
  • [2006-11-19 22:18]

Excellent exposure. Beautiful blue and white combo. Nice focus too.

  • Great 
  • loot Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5451 W: 594 N: 3649] (10029)
  • [2007-01-01 2:53]

Hi Stephanie

I promise I will not look up and open my mouth. Actually here where I stay it might not just be a gull that might drop a surprise package, but the (white-breasted) pied crows and the Indian mynah’s are fast becoming a similar pest.

The composition of this gull shot is absolutely brilliant. I fancy the POV and the well selected and fitting frame. The colours are just stunning while the snowy-white gull and the beautiful soft blue sky as backdrop are perfectly complimentary of each other. The details on the bird might be a tad soft, but who cares with such a pleasing shot. You controlled the exposure very well given the fact that the light streamed in from behind the gull, but even though you have managed to reflect some wonderful contrasts.

I must compliment you on your very appropriate title as well.

Good work and TFS.
Regards
Loot

PS. May you and your loved ones experience all the joy & happiness, good health & strength, as well as prosperity & fortune in 2007. And of course some good light on your photographs.

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