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Friday 9 May 2014

Lesser Black-backed Gull [Larus fuscus]

Slightly smaller than a herring gull, the lesser black-backed gull has a dark grey to black back and wings, yellow bill and yellow legs. Their world population is found entirely in Europe. After declines in the 19th century due to persecution they increased their range and numbers. This expansion has now halted and there is serious concern about declines in many parts of its range. The species is on the Amber List because the UK is home to 40% of the European population and more than half of these are found at fewer than ten sites.[RSPB]







41 comments:

  1. Beautiful pictures of this bird. I had no idea they were on the amber alert. Very sad news.

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  2. Wouaouh!!!
    Why birds are always biggest on your blog??? ;-)
    It's because you are always nereast them!!!
    Have a nice day!!!

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  3. ze zijn zo te zien wel net in bad geweest.

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  4. Great portraits here Bob, love the fact that the partner bird just gives the main subject bird that bit more clarity...it works very well.

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  5. Wonderful photos - I'm sorry to hear their populations are declining.

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  6. I like how you kept one in focus.
    Great shots.

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  7. Beautifully photographed Bob, with a nice sharpness and beautiful colors.
    Nice weekend, greetings Tinie

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  8. Bob ik heb weer genoten van diverse blogjes die je geplaatst heb !
    Je bent een hard werkende fotograaf en weet er telkens weer het mooiste van te maken !!
    Goed gedaan !
    gr,
    Annie

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  9. fantastic, bob! absolutely fantastic bird shots!
    x

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    1. Thank you Betty, and have a beautiful weekend.

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  10. They are beautiful boys, great pictures!

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  11. Bob, great images! Very handsome, aren't they!

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  12. Wonderful contrast of the species and with the focus.
    They are photographed like in a short story.

    Regards Senna

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  13. Hola Bob,unas buenas tomas.Un abrazo

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  14. Beautiful birds Bob!!Great photography!
    I'm so sorry they are on the amber alert.
    Dimi...

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    1. Yes, so am I, but, there are a lots around around my me.

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  15. There is nothing 'lesser' about them. Too many of the people responsible for naming birds are sizist. And have no poetry in their souls.
    Love the photos of yet another badly named bird. Thank you.

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    1. I think that 'lesser' is the Great Black-backed Gull, which is a darker coloured, 'I THINK'.

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  16. A nice set Bob, quite underrated these Gulls although I must get to like them more myself, tricky to get right sometimes with the camera.

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  17. got more gulls down here in Florida than we can shake a stick at...you want some more? :)

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  18. your gull pair are a delight Bob

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  19. I like the focus Bob, with the emphasis on the front bird! Terrific photos!

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  20. Bob, gorgeous shots of the gulls. It is sad they are on the decline..

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  21. Noble creatures. Especially in your photos, Bob




    ALOHA from Honolulu
    ComfortSpiral

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  22. Bob, just stopping back to say thanks for linking up with my critter party.. Happy weekend!

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  23. Great shots of a species which is a rare winter visitor here, especially in the Niagara Falls area.

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  24. Très beau duo !!! Merci Bob

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  25. What a handsome gull! Lovely shots. Happy Critter Day.

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  26. They're very handsome birds.

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  27. Beautiful photos! But birds often scare me, haha

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  28. Beautiful birds and beautiful pictures. I'm sorry that their population is falling ...

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  29. I love to see two of them together.

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