… No! Two's plenty! …
Western Gull, Larus occidentalis, Starry Flounder, Platichthys stellatus.
Chance a la Mer State Park, Ocean Shores, Washington State, May 1, 2011
I've seen enough cases of obvious pair-bonding behavior, and knowing that they mate for life so that most adults have mates somewhere, that I'm inclined to suspect when I see two adult gulls in close association without other gulls around that they're likely mates. Here, one gull caught a flounder and tried to figure out how to eat it, while a second adult hung around just watching (mouth probably watering), until a juvenile flew in, whereupon the second adult lunged at the kid as though helpfully defending the first adult's catch. I'll watch your back, next time watch mine? Eventually, the first gull swallowed the fish whole (with lots of sand) — actually sharing was too much to expect.
To see the whole sequence in order, click the Set Fishing Gull and then click the Slideshow button at upper right.
… No! Two's plenty! …
Western Gull, Larus occidentalis, Starry Flounder, Platichthys stellatus.
Chance a la Mer State Park, Ocean Shores, Washington State, May 1, 2011
I've seen enough cases of obvious pair-bonding behavior, and knowing that they mate for life so that most adults have mates somewhere, that I'm inclined to suspect when I see two adult gulls in close association without other gulls around that they're likely mates. Here, one gull caught a flounder and tried to figure out how to eat it, while a second adult hung around just watching (mouth probably watering), until a juvenile flew in, whereupon the second adult lunged at the kid as though helpfully defending the first adult's catch. I'll watch your back, next time watch mine? Eventually, the first gull swallowed the fish whole (with lots of sand) — actually sharing was too much to expect.
To see the whole sequence in order, click the Set Fishing Gull and then click the Slideshow button at upper right.