I wasn't supposed to be birding at all the weekend just gone. I had my daughter, and if there's one thing she detests, it's standing out in the cold looking at birds for hours on end. But this was different. A Laughing Gull was still showing well on the Wirral, at New Brighton, and with the possibility of some Purple Sandpipers too, I had to get the bribery tools out sharpish. This gull is native to North America, and so is hopelessly off course, and only an hour away from my doorstep. With the promise of a hot chocolate from Starbucks, plus a marshmallow on a stick and that I'd need no more than 15 minutes, we were off and out the door.
We (I) found it almost immediately on the pontoons as promised. A smashing looking bird, in its juvenile winter plumage, almost black legs and bill. A real treat for both Eleanor and I. Well, me. The hot chocolate was appreciated though.
On the pontoon with Turnstones, Redshanks and Purple Sandpiper.
Great sighting! Bribery works every time. :-)
ReplyDeleteFabulous photos as usual.
ReplyDeleteNeat sighting of the Laughing Common, they are common gulls around here.. I love first shot with the Turnstones.. Great post, enjoy your week!
ReplyDeleteGlad you were able to find the gull easily and that your daughter responds to food bribes. :))
ReplyDeleteGreat photos of the birds and well worth the little bit of "bribery" to be able to see and photograph them.
ReplyDeleteFabulous images Adam!
ReplyDeleteStunning shots. Great character - particularly in the flying photos. Look forward to seeing more of your work. Saying hello via wordless wednesday (on a tuesday) http://detoutcoeurlimousin.blogspot.fr/2015/02/snow-trees-flowers-few-cows.html
ReplyDeleteLooks like the twitchers have been bribing the Laughing Gull too Adam.Nice work, the skilful bribery and the pictures.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you caught a glimpse of a laughing gull. Your patience - and your daughter's forbearance - was rewarded1
ReplyDeleteThhans for sharing at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2015/02/tijuana-sunrise-bottoms-up.html
Lovely photos. I too have to bribe my 9 year old to accompany me for photography, when hubby dear is not around and I can't leave him home alone.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous shots! Definitely worth a little bribery.
ReplyDeleteYou got some great flight shots. I had to bribe my mum to take me!
ReplyDeleteAwe, bless it, so far from it's own. I hope the it does well, so young, but maybe very soon can get back to others of it's own kind. In the meantime, you got some marvelous shares. I like Starbuck's hot chocolate too, good one Adam~
ReplyDeletewonderful gull shots. maybe you'll turn your daughter into a birder, yet. :)
ReplyDeletePerfect shots of the bird in flight.
ReplyDeleteFantastic photos and hot chocolate seems to be a great bribe :)!
ReplyDeletecool, a teacher on a schoolyard :)
ReplyDeleteWell worth the bribe, to get those great shots.
ReplyDeleteYou got some fabulous shots! Love the in-flights. Hot chocolate and marshmallows will turn my granddaughter into a birdwatcher any time!
ReplyDeleteWell that works for both you adn your daughter. Fantastic shots especially the flight ones
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful pictures of these seagulls.
ReplyDeleteBest regards, Irma
Wonderful pictures..All it took was a little hot chocolate???
ReplyDeleteWhat a pretty bird. Brilliant shots, I think they deserved a cookie as well as a hot chocolate :-)
ReplyDeleteDefinitely worth the bribe! The first time we saw (or more to the point, heard) laughing gulls I could not believe what they sounded like. They were on the Texas gulf coast. You got great pictures.
ReplyDeleteYour bribery yielded you great photos! Oh, she'll remember these times with you fondly someday whether she realizes it or not! :-)
ReplyDelete"....and if there's one thing she detests, it's standing out in the cold looking at birds for hours on end" - You do surprise me..... how thoroughly unreasonable of her.... Only kidding.
ReplyDeleteBut you did well to bag these excellent photos. I love the action "in-flight" shots. Amazing.
This is such a well written, amusing, and informative post. I thank you for that.
Have a great weekend.
Superb shots, some of the best I've seen of this bird.
ReplyDeleteGreat to see the purple sandpiper with many simultaneously. The flight images of the gulls are beautifully made. Class!
ReplyDelete