Some birds just get all the attention. Everyone loves the spoonbill with all their character, the colourful flamingos, the regal eagles, the elegant egrets and herons. Even the odd and somewhat ugly woodstork gets respect. But what about the lowly seagull? Are they so common as to be uninteresting?
Not to me. Especially when it’s time for a salmon feast!
In Campbell River, British Columbia, people come from all over the world to fish for giant salmon. At the Tyee Club, fishermen vie for entry to the exclusive club by attempting to bring in a 30 pound Tyee salmon on a 20 pound line, with one barbless hook and no bait, from a boat that is being rowed. When someone catches a qualifying salmon, a bell rings out once for every 10 pounds.
Along with the bell ringing, there’s one sound that is almost ever present. That of the gulls enjoying a good meal gorging on the bits of salmon left on the beach by the fishermen, who generally return the heads, tails and guts of the salmon back to the ocean.
It’s a regular caw-caw-phony! A riot!
Even when there are plenty of heads and tails to go around, the gulls scream with pleasure and play tug of war with the pieces.
It’s a sound I have grown to love growing up on the coast of British Columbia.
Great images, Anne! I love seagulls too – they are so emblematic of the coast, and I grew up listening to their haunting cries. Sad to report that their numbers in the Strait of Georgia are down by 50% since the 1980s – declining food sources (i.e. salmon and other fish) being the likely culprit. They need our love more than ever!
This link leads to the post I did a couple of months ago on seagulls, if you’re interested.
These are amazing photos! We have quite the population of gulls here on the Mississippi coast, but I don’t know that I’ve ever seen them in a feeding frenzy like this before. Then again, I’m not around when the shrimp boats come in either.
I host a Photo Friday link-up each week; I’d love to have you join me!
Love these shots. Can you post ISO; shutter speed; F stop; etc.? Maybe in properties?
Amazing photos. I love seagulls, their voices sound so romantic… We have 17 gull species here, in Lithuania.
Anne…some more amazing photos! Wow…how do you do it. You seem to always capture ‘the moment’ and I love it. I never tire of perusing your site. I grew up where there were a lot of seagull’s along the coast of Northern California. It’s not easy to make them look fascinating but you did it! Thanks for sharing!
Debbie
Nothing like the sound of raucous Seagulls fighting over salmon scraps. Another great post, thanks!
Wonderful series of images. They’re all wonderful.
Hi Anne! I just found your site while browsing for articles on photography. I am amazed at all the beautiful pictures you have taken, and even the lowly seagull has starred in the images you’ve shared! I look forward to browsing your site some more, and following you in your photographic RV journey – which sounds pretty wonderful by the way!
Wow – I think the third to last is one of your best Anne – Perfect capture!
The third from last photo is my favorite, with the seagull springing up and into action. Great shots!
Wonderful pictures, i love the ones of the seagulls. They are so clear and perfectly framed, well done and keep the cool pics coming.
Amazing photography!
Lived in Campbell River for 25 years…. in the darkness. Can’t wait to move back (retirement in 2-3 years), and explore everything I missed first time round. I am just starting out with a camera, wanting to capture the beauty of the outdoors. You are an inspiration Anne. I love sea gulls, Rebecca Spit and the rural spots on the Island as well as the coastline. Thank you for sharing your journeys and photography! Your photos are so awesome!