The Inland Gulls of Walker Lake, Nevada

Sky Riders

I have been asked many times about the birds that are in the skies of my photographs around Walker Lake, so I decided to write this blog post and dedicate it to that bird, the California Gull.
  

The California or Inland Gull, Larus californicus, falls in the medium size range, averaging 20 inches (47-54 cm) in length with a wingspan of 51 inches (130 cm). These gulls have striking features with white bodies, black primaries and white tips on grey wings, black tipped yellow bills, yellow feet, and brow eyes.

Found in parking lots and lakes from California to Manitoba, the gulls at Walker Lake do not migrate but remain in this area all year long, except during the breeding season, from May to July when the adults return to their breeding grounds at Mono Lake, California.

Insects are a favorite source of food for the California Gull and that is why they are the official state bird of Utah. The California Gull's appetite for insects saved the Mormon settlers during a plague of crickets and today there is a monument in Salt Lake City commemorating this event, which is known as the Miracle of the Gulls. The diet of California Gulls also includes fish, eggs and just about any food that humans will eat except lettuce and tomatoes!

The California Gulls are also known as the "laughing gull" due to the laughing sound that they make when someone walks by and there might be a handout for food.

For more information:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Gull
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/California_Gull/id/ac
http://www.monolake.org/about/ecobirds

Photographs Make Great Gifts

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What an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been.  I love it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get treated to new experiences. 

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Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level.

 "Reflecting Nature's Artistry" 

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