Gulls are #1!

Where: Washington DC/Alexandria, VA

When: January 1st 2011

Imagine this: your 1st life bird of the year 2011 on the 1st day of the 1st month! It was pretty exciting, especially when I saw this Lifer , a Lesser Scaup as soon as I got out of the car.

We were back at the spot from the previous day (see my post, "Ring"-ing in the New Year ) and of course, so were the Ring-billed Gulls.

When the gulls started getting antsy, I looked all around to find the predator. (Which, I knew there was. I'm just that smart.) Turns out there was an Accipiter (Please don't ask me which species. I just don't know. Dave knows my troubles, and so does any other birder out there!) and it let me get quite close! Didn't have the most desired lighting, but I did get this mediocre photo:

After the Accipiter flew away, the gulls calmed once more and I was able to get a few more shots. I enjoy the subadult Gulls with just a few juvenile feathers left:

And of course, the crazy antics of the gulls. You've got to love them! Even in the dull, cold afternoon conditions, they've got as much spunk as ever.

Incominnnng!

YYAAWWNN! Everyone's tired on a lazy saturday afternoon.

After a while of not much action, in swoops a Bald Eagle! My dad was ecstatic; he couldn't believe we had just saw an eagle. I was like, "Yep. Eagle. " and went back to my Gulls. *Crazy Gull Freak at 12 o'clock!*

The gulls got pretty nervous after that. . . but it wasn't long until I saw something interesting.

Introducing Oscar the One-legged Gull!!! (Another number 1 for you!)

Oh, and I saw the Accipiter again. . . preening. .. but of course it didn't spread the wing to help in its ID! Typical. . .

Until next time,

** Peace always,

Kristina **

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Thank you so much.**