Laughing Gull, Crying Prey


Posted by Sandy Mossberg on Sat Mar 13, 2004 11:49 pm

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Laughing Gull (Larus atricilla)
Estero Lagoon, Ft. Myers Beach, FL, on 29 Jan 2004

Just after sunrise, this boastful gull was showing his prey to every bird who would look. Bad move. In no time a slew of birds tried to steal his meal. The gull barely managed to gulp it down.

I’m still not sure if this is a snake, an eel, or just an unknown creature from the deep Estero Lagoon.

Thanks for looking. Comments, critiques, and reposts are welcome.

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by Alan Murphy on Sun Mar 14, 2004 12:55 am
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Oh Sandy, this is sweet. Love the warm light, the Eel in the bill and the lovely BG. A beautiful image.
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by Arnie Berger on Sun Mar 14, 2004 7:05 am
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Sandy

Great shot and lighting. I can only inmanage that he must be thinking " I can't believe I ate the whole thing"

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by Bill Whala on Sun Mar 14, 2004 7:17 am
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Way to go, Sandy!! The m'eel' puts this over the top. :D
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by AlexC on Sun Mar 14, 2004 7:41 am
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The warm morning light, low angle and the twisting eel on the beak makes this is sweet image indeed!!, In the bird world is better not to advertise your riches!!! Congrats!!! 8)
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by Yanni on Sun Mar 14, 2004 8:26 am
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This image is outstanding. I love the warm lighting of the morning sunrise, the low angle and even more the detail, I can see the small waterdrops on the chest of the gull and the DOF is perfect. Thankl you for sharing Sandy.
 

by Greg Downing on Sun Mar 14, 2004 9:32 am
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Sweet Sandy! This looks like an eel to me. I witnessed a couple of Herring Gulls fight over one that was about 15 inches long until one juvi swallowed it whole! The eel was too big to fit all the way down and the Gull walked around with the tail sticking out of it's mouth! The things birds will eat...;)
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by Cliff Beittel on Sun Mar 14, 2004 9:44 am
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Sandy, very nice. I especially like the open mouth on the (conger?) eel--looks as if he's trying to bite the gull in defense.
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by Noel on Sun Mar 14, 2004 9:54 am
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Love that sweet early morning golden light.

This is a great, wonderfully sharp shot. Thanks for sharing it!

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by Jill on Sun Mar 14, 2004 11:27 am
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Super shot, Sandy!!! Ideal light for this morning repast!! The girth on this gull borders on comical, my friend!!! :wink: :D :D
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by Heather Forcier on Sun Mar 14, 2004 11:33 am
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I had two reactions to this image: the first was that this is a lovely image, great light, great behavior, and an interesting story. The second was that I don't really want to go back into that water barefoot again if there are unknown creatures lurking! :shock:
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by Carol Clarke on Sun Mar 14, 2004 12:19 pm
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Wonderful image Sandy!! Gorgeous golden light and great catch of the squirming eel. I love the baggy romper suit on the Gull too!! :lol: 8) 8) :shock: :)
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by Michael Wolf on Sun Mar 14, 2004 12:56 pm
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Sandy,

Nice lighting & great low angle.
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by Juan E. Bahamon on Sun Mar 14, 2004 4:28 pm
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Sandy:

Good combination of sweet light, interesting action and perfect exposure. Congratulations.
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by Harvey Edelman on Sun Mar 14, 2004 5:28 pm
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A stunner 8) 8) 8)
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by Bruce DiVaccaro on Sun Mar 14, 2004 6:52 pm
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Sandy,

Excellent shot. The light is wonderful and the open mouth on the eel puts this way over the top.
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by Dick Ginkowski on Sun Mar 14, 2004 7:26 pm
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Alan Murphy wrote:Oh Sandy, this is sweet. Love the warm light, the Eel in the bill and the lovely BG. A beautiful image.
I agree. It's not uncommon for smaller birds to dance with their catch...and sometimes bigger ones swoop down and steal it!
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by Chip Estabrooks on Sun Mar 14, 2004 7:27 pm
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No carbs! :wink: All protein!
Great light and a great shot...love that hairy knee :lol:
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by ebkw on Sun Mar 14, 2004 9:02 pm
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Beautiful shot with super light!!! A few years ago I saw some water creatures that someone called pipe fish. This one looks like the right size. They moved vertically in the water in a group. The location was just south of the bridge that takes you off Estereo Island. Pretty close to where you got this shot. I don't have any books on fish but will look it up.
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by ebkw on Sun Mar 14, 2004 9:06 pm
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Beautiful shot in great light!!

A few years ago I saw some creatures that someone called pipe fish that looked about like your subjects prey. They swim vertically in a group and were in the water south of the bridge that takes you off the south end of Estero Island. I don't have any fish books but will look it up.
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