Chapters

Sunday, June 28, 2015

Chapter 3 - The Chicks have Hatched

First chick peeking out and taking a look at the world for the first time.


For the first 3 days we kept our photograph times short so as not to upset our new little family.
Here are a few snapshots from Day 1 to Day 3




Three days old and always hungry!


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Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Chapter 2 ~ "We are expecting triplets!"

Early June, 2010 the announcement was made throughout the Apartment Building, "We are expecting triplets!" The Gulls are nesting and incubating 3 eggs. Everyone was buzzing about the news and wanted to know more about the family life of Glaucous-winged Gulls. Everyone loved the romantic thought that the Gulls are monogamous.
My friend lived on the 7th floor and her balcony was 2 floors above the nest. Perfect location and distance from the nervous and protective parents. When we first stepped out on the balcony after the incubating had begun - we expected to be dived at - but they kept a really close eye on us but did not show any signs of aggression. We were always careful not to abuse our privilege and didn't over stay our welcome.
As long as Mom and Dad were incubating we didn't go out on the balcony except to take a quick peek now and then and they would just calmly look up at us. I cautiously took one photograph of one of the parents while incubating the eggs. The total incubation time is about 4 weeks. The vigilant parents worked together to protect their nursery. All birds such as crows and other Gulls were quickly chased away.

June 8, 2010 the Glaucous-winged Gull is on it's nest incubating 3 eggs on a roof in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Learn about Gulls

Chapter 1 ~ Introduction to Hanging out with the Gulls

Hanging out with the Gulls became one of the best nature photo opportunities of my life.
I first met the Gulls in February 2010. Whenever I went out on our large Apartment Patio one or two of the Gulls would showup. The apartment rules are "don't feed the birds" - so I never did and they still came by to say hello and have a little chat. I usually had my camera with me and perhaps they thought I had food.



A view of our patio.

There Are about 36 different species of Gulls and my friends proper name is Glaucous-winged Gull.