Bathing in Public - Part II

[FootLoose]

When I was shooting the previous set, I became aware of the gull's method of cleaning itself and decided to make a return trip.
All C&C welcome.

#1. I noticed how they ducked their head in the water to throw a wave onto their backs.



#2.



#3. Apparently it can take a bit of effort sometimes to get the head under the water



#4. But it does get the job done



#5. I thought this one was blowing bubbles, but judging by the one in the background it is cleaning its ears



#6.



#7.



#8.



#9.



#10. And there is the hovering to dry off. Note the still body and furious wings.



#11. Then drift back down to the same position

[IzzieK]

Good series, Greg...I like the sequences of this shots, particularly #3, #4 and the last one...Is this a particular place these rubbish bin collectors frequent or were these taken at the beach near where you live? I will not comment on the sharpness because they are all sharp but I love the light and the shadows in all of these...particularly #3, #6 and #9...excellent captures.

[MarieV]

Terrific captures Greg - the fellow in the first image looks like he is doing the backstroke....!!

[FootLoose]

Izzie and Marie, thanks for commenting.

These were taken at a nearby lagoon. It seems the gulls go there to bathe - perhaps because it is fresh water; I have also seen them gathering around storm water outlets to bathe.

Izzie, your "garbage collectors" are our tourist attraction! Several busloads arrive every day, and people pour out to photograph themselves in front of the lighthouses and with the gulls. They hand feed them with chips, bread - and prawns. There used to signs instructing people not to feed them because they become too aggressive but the signs have disappeared. I guess the council discovered the value of the tourist dollar.