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]
haughty looking guys!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures of this bird. I had no idea they were on the amber alert. Very sad news.
ReplyDeleteWouaouh!!!
ReplyDeleteWhy birds are always biggest on your blog??? ;-)
It's because you are always nereast them!!!
Have a nice day!!!
They love me, lol.
Deleteze zijn zo te zien wel net in bad geweest.
ReplyDeleteYou make me laugh, lol.
DeleteGreat portraits here Bob, love the fact that the partner bird just gives the main subject bird that bit more clarity...it works very well.
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos - I'm sorry to hear their populations are declining.
ReplyDeleteI like how you kept one in focus.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots.
Beautifully photographed Bob, with a nice sharpness and beautiful colors.
ReplyDeleteNice weekend, greetings Tinie
Bob ik heb weer genoten van diverse blogjes die je geplaatst heb !
ReplyDeleteJe bent een hard werkende fotograaf en weet er telkens weer het mooiste van te maken !!
Goed gedaan !
gr,
Annie
fantastic, bob! absolutely fantastic bird shots!
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Thank you Betty, and have a beautiful weekend.
DeleteThey are beautiful boys, great pictures!
ReplyDeleteBob, great images! Very handsome, aren't they!
ReplyDeleteThanks Robin.
DeleteWonderful contrast of the species and with the focus.
ReplyDeleteThey are photographed like in a short story.
Regards Senna
Hola Bob,unas buenas tomas.Un abrazo
ReplyDeleteBeautiful birds Bob!!Great photography!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry they are on the amber alert.
Dimi...
Yes, so am I, but, there are a lots around around my me.
DeleteThere is nothing 'lesser' about them. Too many of the people responsible for naming birds are sizist. And have no poetry in their souls.
ReplyDeleteLove the photos of yet another badly named bird. Thank you.
I think that 'lesser' is the Great Black-backed Gull, which is a darker coloured, 'I THINK'.
DeleteA nice set Bob, quite underrated these Gulls although I must get to like them more myself, tricky to get right sometimes with the camera.
ReplyDeletegot more gulls down here in Florida than we can shake a stick at...you want some more? :)
ReplyDeleteyour gull pair are a delight Bob
ReplyDeleteI like the focus Bob, with the emphasis on the front bird! Terrific photos!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you liked it Karen.
DeleteBob, gorgeous shots of the gulls. It is sad they are on the decline..
ReplyDeleteNoble creatures. Especially in your photos, Bob
ReplyDeleteALOHA from Honolulu
ComfortSpiral
cool pair of gulls
ReplyDeletegood shots!
ReplyDeleteBob, just stopping back to say thanks for linking up with my critter party.. Happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteLovely, have a nice weekend Eileen.
DeleteGreat shots of a species which is a rare winter visitor here, especially in the Niagara Falls area.
ReplyDeleteTrès beau duo !!! Merci Bob
ReplyDeleteWhat a handsome gull! Lovely shots. Happy Critter Day.
ReplyDeleteThey're very handsome birds.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos! But birds often scare me, haha
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ReplyDeleteBeautiful birds and beautiful pictures. I'm sorry that their population is falling ...
Pawanna, many thanks.
DeleteI love to see two of them together.
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