Sea Gull

I used to live in Astoria Oregon and I had a good view of the Columbia river. There was a 5 or so story building there which created a draft and the sea gulls would fly over to the building and get carried up in the up draft the building created. The gulls would then circle around and do it again endlessly. It was a game they played and they never seemed to get tired of it.

Some things God gives to us just for fun. And that is what nature is for me. I enjoy  looking for interesting things to take pictures of. Remember to follow God's guidelines.

1 Peter 3:10 "For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit;"

Ring-Billed Gull

When I first saw Gulls in Missouri and Kansas, I was surprised. But I read that these gulls frequent the interior of the country and nest at fresh water sites. Once they hatch they usually return to the same area year after year.

They will eat most anything, but fish and bugs are preferred. Garbage is another staple they have adapted to. They enjoy flying along with the wind currents, diving to the water when there is a food source.

The oldest known gull was 27 years old. They usually nest in large colonies numbering in the thousands. These birds take 3 years to attain their adult plumage. This bird has the adult plumage.

The soaring of these gulls brings to mind the ability of Christians to soar above the problems of life with the relationship with Jesus that we have.

Isaiah 40:31 "Yet those who wait for the Lord
Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary."

Ring Billed Gulls

I saw some sea gulls flying up and down the Missouri river. Occasionally they would dip down to the river and get something.

I ID these as Ring-billed gulls because of the black wing tip with ringed bills and they are in Missouri in the winter. The ringed bill is not clear but I don't see any other gulls having a spot on the top of their bills.

I noticed that we are located on the northern edge of their range. These gulls might be passing through on their way south.





Psalm 103:19 "The LORD has established His throne in the heavens,
And His sovereignty rules over all."

Bird log Watkins Mill State park 20-Sep-06

Orange grebe neck bigger than mallard in flight
Long beek
didn’t notice legs or tail
looked back and forth as it swam, neck straight up

The closest I can ID it is the female Anhinga
The gular pouch was not distinct from the throat so that rules out the double crested
cormorant


I saw about 30 turkey vultures circling on the west side of the lake. After about 10
minutes they dispersed.


Seagull sized bird long orange sized beak.
light gray above bright white below.
black tail band
hovered a few times in flight

It flew back and forth across the lake. Drooped to the lake for a moment then flew off
again. Much more active flying than a gull.
Herring gull is the closest I can ID it.

dirty White rump
small duck size
lighter underside of neck ; back head and eye darker.
diving short bill smaller than a duck I saw 14 swimming together.
It could be an immature purple Gallinule p 126 in new Peterson’s bird guide.

As I was watching birds I heard the whoosh whoosh whoosh of the wings of a turkey
vulture.

I saw a Belted Kingfisher fly by.
I was not able to ID the swallows darting across the lake.
I saw a number of Blue jays

Saw a Great blue heron 2 toned wings gray back flying with neck folded deep throaded
croak. I saw a juvenile Great Blue heron fishing on the lake edge.