Monday, 9 February 2015

Look Who's Laughing Now

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.







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28 comments:

  1. Unknown9 February 2015 at 12:38

    Great sighting! Bribery works every time. :-)

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  2. Fun609 February 2015 at 19:52

    Fabulous photos as usual.

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  3. eileeninmd9 February 2015 at 20:10

    Neat sighting of the Laughing Common, they are common gulls around here.. I love first shot with the Turnstones.. Great post, enjoy your week!

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  4. EG CameraGirl9 February 2015 at 20:36

    Glad you were able to find the gull easily and that your daughter responds to food bribes. :))

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  5. mick9 February 2015 at 20:36

    Great photos of the birds and well worth the little bit of "bribery" to be able to see and photograph them.

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  6. Liz10 February 2015 at 08:49

    Fabulous images Adam!

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  7. HeartSong Normandie10 February 2015 at 09:01

    Stunning 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

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  8. Phil Slade10 February 2015 at 09:04

    Looks like the twitchers have been bribing the Laughing Gull too Adam.Nice work, the skilful bribery and the pictures.

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  9. NCSue10 February 2015 at 10:30

    I'm glad you caught a glimpse of a laughing gull. Your patience - and your daughter's forbearance - was rewarded1
    Thhans for sharing at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2015/02/tijuana-sunrise-bottoms-up.html

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  10. Me Mumbaikar10 February 2015 at 11:16

    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.

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  11. Maude Lynn10 February 2015 at 16:45

    Gorgeous shots! Definitely worth a little bribery.

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  12. Findlay Wilde10 February 2015 at 16:48

    You got some great flight shots. I had to bribe my mum to take me!

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  13. Mary Howell Cromer10 February 2015 at 16:59

    Awe, 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~

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  14. TexWisGirl10 February 2015 at 17:10

    wonderful gull shots. maybe you'll turn your daughter into a birder, yet. :)

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  15. Rajesh10 February 2015 at 17:17

    Perfect shots of the bird in flight.

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  16. thewovenspoke10 February 2015 at 21:50

    Fantastic photos and hot chocolate seems to be a great bribe :)!

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  17. NatureFootstep10 February 2015 at 21:58

    cool, a teacher on a schoolyard :)

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  18. Anonymous10 February 2015 at 23:49

    Well worth the bribe, to get those great shots.

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  19. Karen11 February 2015 at 05:09

    You got some fabulous shots! Love the in-flights. Hot chocolate and marshmallows will turn my granddaughter into a birdwatcher any time!

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  20. Margaret Birding For Pleasure11 February 2015 at 08:48

    Well that works for both you adn your daughter. Fantastic shots especially the flight ones

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  21. Irma11 February 2015 at 15:59

    What a beautiful pictures of these seagulls.
    Best regards, Irma

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  22. This N That11 February 2015 at 18:20

    Wonderful pictures..All it took was a little hot chocolate???

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  23. Polly11 February 2015 at 19:51

    What a pretty bird. Brilliant shots, I think they deserved a cookie as well as a hot chocolate :-)

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  24. Sallie (FullTime-Life)12 February 2015 at 13:41

    Definitely 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.

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  25. A Colorful World12 February 2015 at 15:39

    Your bribery yielded you great photos! Oh, she'll remember these times with you fondly someday whether she realizes it or not! :-)

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  26. Lovable Derek12 February 2015 at 22:37

    "....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.

    But 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.

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  27. Adam Tilt12 February 2015 at 23:06

    Superb shots, some of the best I've seen of this bird.

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  28. Helma13 February 2015 at 16:45

    Great to see the purple sandpiper with many simultaneously. The flight images of the gulls are beautifully made. Class!

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I enjoy reading your comments as much as I enjoy taking the pictures. Thank you for taking the time to comment on my post.