Will I look fat if I eat this whole fish?
Errrr, no, but, but you might look a little weird if you swallow it whole.
On second thought, you are looking a tad chunky……
and weird!
It’s a gull eat fish world out here in Cour d’Alene!
We are road tripping again, and our next stop is Glacier National Park. I haven’t been able to read your blogs as much as I would like to since we are traveling, but cheers to you from the happy, albeit quite chubby, gull from Coeur d’Alene!
Did the bird swallow the fish,it was a large one,WOW! 🙂
He surely did! Gulp, gulp, and it was gone. I was impressed! 😉 😉
“Wow!”
That is what I thought. He must have a strong stomach or just a love of sashimi! 😉
😉
Down the hatch! Reminds me I need to feed my boa constrictor.
hehehehe!
Great series, Cindy. Crazy red ‘lips’ he has and definitely looks well-fed!
I didn’t want to be around in case he burped though…….
LOL 😀
Amazing photos, Cindy. I think I even heard him burp! Hugs.
Incredible! Look at the comment above! Great minds think alike! Laughing…….
Amazing series Cindy! Just wow!
Now this is what you call a big gulp!!!
Wow, what a greedy bird!😝
Either that or really, really hungry! 😉
Probably the later – have an awesome weekend my dear.
Really nice shots! Have a terrific road trip.
Grazi & very glad you enjoyed the sashimi eater!
Cindy, these are absolutely incredible! Just amazing!!! Cher xo
I have never seen a gull eat such a gigantor fishy, and all in one or two gulps!!!! It was most impressive!
And you captured his impressive act perfectly, Cindy!!
Thank you kindly!
Wow! LOL…ditto A. Blake😁
Don’t tell anyone, but I have been know to graze a little more enthusiastically than necessary when confronted with lovely fresh fish, but this guy clearly wins the fish gulping contest, fins down……
I won’t tell a soul! Be safe Cindy. Blessings and peace!!!
<3 <3
I didn’t know seagulls could do that.
Neither did I!!!! You do learn so many important things whilst traveling…… 😉 😉
I was there in July! Beautiful area. We also went through on our way to Glacier National Park. I loved Glacier. Spectacular!!! Can’t wait to see your pictures!
Synchronicity! We will be there tomorrow and plan to stay in two parts of the park. We’ll see how the fires affect everything. So sad. It has been burning for so long now!
My husband and I were discussing whether gulls ate the fish whole after we saw one swoop down in the ocean and scoop a fish up. I had to show him these shots and we both enjoyed them and got our answer as well 😎 hope you have a fun and safe trip! ❤️
Can you even imagine, he took off fying immediately after! What awesome evolutionary adaptations!
One dislocated jaw coming up…oh, hold on, do they have jaw?
They do! They must be able to unhook them, like snakes!
🙂
<3
That is great! I never knew their mouth was so red.
I have never seen this either and will have to google it to find out what species variant they are. I’ve never seen such before either, but they are living and feeding on a fresh water lake, not the ocean. Good observation Piper. Let me know when you find the explanation, as I am sure you will!
Amazing what voracious appetites they have huh? Such eating machines! Not sure if you’ve seen this or not, but they even know how to enter a store and snag a bag of Doritos! See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kqy9hxhUxK0
Looking forward to more photos from your trip. Have fun! ~Lynn
Hilarious!!! I know they are very intelligent. There is a hotel where I grew up where they would swoop done on outdoor diners and steal their silver napkin rings. Years later, when the hotel was rennovated, they found 100’s of napkin rings in the bell tower. They stole them and hid them for years!
Hahaha, yeah funny stuff! And amazing that they had a specific place for their napkin ring collection. Very intelligent indeed!
<3 <3
The bird looks happy and contented with the food 😀 Wonderful frames… 🙂
Well dang, he just had a whole lotta fresh fish! Laughing, I wonder when he will eat another one??????? 😉 😉
:-D…
What an incredible series of shots. Wow. Well, incredible for everyone but the fish. 😉
Yes, the poor fish was at the losing end of this zero sum game wasn’t he! Poor guy. I can’t go fishing for sport for this very same reason!
Wow that is all I can say!
Can you believe he took off an flew immediately after this repast? My mom whould have said he would get cramps….. 😉 😉
wow that is amazing!
It is curiouser and curiouser! Just like Alice said! ;( 😉
Very interesting pictures of gall eating fish in action.
He was a hungy, hungry, ichthyes!
Oh my gosh, these are awesome, Cindy! He’s hysterical! Reminds me of some family members at Thanksgiving… 😀
I was going to say that, but I was afraid of offending family members more than I already have! 😉 😉
Those are so fun and funny! I have to share!
Oh, good! Thanks! Can you believe how his beak just morphs into this vast pie-hole to swallow this fish? It’s like science fiction! 😉
LOL! It is a little freaky! I should have asked you if you had a Twitter account so I could have tagged you…but I tweeted it and shared on my writer page on Facebook. 🙂 I really love your blog!
Awwwww, and I love your brilliant, creatively, inventive mind. <3 <3
I was chuckling at your interpretation of what the gull would say. . . A girl gull would definitely worry. She may say, “Will this fish make my butt look big?” 🙂
It would be a case of what would you say???? “Well, not just your butt, more like your entire body just doubled in size in three seconds!!” Laughing…….
I can see why he’s chunky! HA! 😆 😛
How can he possibly breathe? Think how we feel after that third piece of pie? And he could fly! The gulls should have a preventive education campaign……..”Don’t Gulp & Fly.” 😉
HaHa! Good one! Oh, why did you have to bring up pie. 🙄
They certainly look weird when they do that 😀 It was a big meal, and a great series!
Thanks, the ultimate “Big Gulp!”
Great sequence – enjoy Glacier
Thank you to both!
Hey, you’re in my home state. Enjoyed the pictures. That blood dot is supposedly for feeding their young. The babies peck at it when they want mom and dad to croak up…oh say a giant fish…for them to eat.
heheheh!
I have seen avian blood dots, but had no idea this was one. How interesting! So the fish may have been approaching mama’s blood dot, for food, but ended up dinner?
That is almost Shakesperian in it’s level of tragedy, from the fish perspective of course. But it also points out the genius of evolutionary biology.
You do see why I love blogging, I get to converse with people like you! <3
It’s the conversations that make it worthwhile, that’s for sure.
<3 <3
Have fun and safe travels. My husband and I went to Glacier Nat’l Park 4 yrs. ago when vacationing in June, after leaving Yellowstone Nat’l Park. It was not our first trip to Yellowstone, but our first to Glacier NP and loved it. Walked a long trail and got lost in bear country. 🙂
Ooooooh, a tad scary getting in lost in grizzly bear territory, especially in early spring or fall, when they are eating voraciously!
An amazing series of photos Cindy. I’ll look forward to following along on your road trip.
Yay, we are mutual co-travelers once again. Do you see why I love blogging! <3 <3
Blogging is VERY addictive and for me it is the interesting people I meet in the community and sharing their lives, and going places with them in cyberspace…
It’s a virtual community of artsy, interesting people. Blogging rocks!
Great shot of the gull eating the fish and do they still have the big ferris wheel over the water in Couer d”Alene?
Not that we have seen! Do you know where it is?
It used to be out over the board walk but that was clear back in the 60’s-a long time ago and for some reason i thought it was still there.
I will look this morning……
Funny! Hmm… I think my asp looks a bit wide? ….
Your asp is perfect. Americans are expert on asses. We have the Kardashians after all! Lucky us.
LOL Hahaha!
):
The guy really likes protein! 🙂 Safe trips to you, dear Cindy, and enjoy everything! Take care!
hehehe. Maybe he’s follwing the Atkins meat protein diet. Poor fish! 😉 😉
🙂 I agree with you, Cindy! Have a good night!
<3
Wow! Hard to believe how you get these unbelievable shots!
I really do have no idea.
Have a fun time and for heaven’s sake put that gull on a diet.
xxx Huge Hugs xxx
Yes whole fish free for two day!
Oh my God finally ate the whole fish!
I seriously didn’t believe he could!! 😉
The photography is even more spectacular than the feat of the gull!
Awwwww, I am honored indeed!
Hungry eyes!
I’m glad they weren’t “watching me!” 😉
Cindy these incredible photos are only made better buy your delightful narrative.
Awwwww, such a lovely thing to say!
At first I thought the seagulls eyes were bigger than its stomach.
I was wrong. Swallowing that big fish it a major accomplishment!
I wonder how long it can go now…without needing to eat something else.
Seems that fish should last a week in there. Can you imagine eating a whole live fish like this? What a case of indigestion I would have if I ever tried.this.
I guess we have teeth to chew. The gull doesn’t so he is just the gulpin’ gull. I have seen pelicans gulp whole fish like this, but never a gull. I learn new things every day! 😉 😉
Fish breath alert! Happy trails to you. Great series. 🙂
Indeed! I am not wanting to be anywhere near him when he burps!
Amazing pictures
Thank you!
Brilliant captures, Cindy! The drama, the determination, the victory! What a story…
The joy of victory, the agony of defeat……laughing!
Made me smile. Great sequence. Off to Glacier? One of my favorite places though I haven’t been for years. Enjoy.
I havenn’t been for around 15 years, so I am looking most forward to it, despite the horrendous fires~
It is amazing how they eat such a big fish… great pictures to show it… and yes the fish made the gull bigger…. 🙂
He almost doubled in size! Hilarious……
Wow! 🙂
Exactly!
wonderful pictures… 🙂
Thank you, but I am not showing them to any fish….. 😉 😉
I would love to travel to that part of Idaho as one of my grandparents was born there! Great Gull pics! Your comments on him made me laugh!!!! Totally awesome! Have a fun a safe trip my friend! Hugz Lisa and Bear
Hugz back to you guys and Idaho is beautiful and 80 degrees! Bear would love the lake~
fantastic pictures!
Thank you, I was lucky to get them since the gull just dined and dashed!
Wonderful photos, Cindy. Perfect image for gluttony!
I should put it on my frig!
Impressive images, Cindy! You captured great moment!
Thank you! Of course all fish would disagree! 😉 😉
Great photos!
Mil grazi!
Owww. That looks painful. I wouldn’t want to go up against that gull in any of those food eating contests that are all the rage. Happy journeys. 😀
All I can say is I am very glad I am too big for him to swallow!
:D:D:D
I wonder if gulls get indigestion!
Especially when they eat and fly like this one. Didn’t his mother teach him anything?
Great pictures I think it’s amazing how much some animals can eat in one mouthful or swallow..like a snake they just dislocate their jaws and can swallow something quite large compared to their size I wonder how big that bird can eat without choking, their digestive juices must be very strong to break down a piece of food like that 🙂 interesting 🙂
You think exactly like me! These are all the things I wondered about too. I have seen our roadrunner running with a snake hanging out of his mouth. I wasn’t sure if he was engaged in digesting or just swallowing! 😉
Nice to meet a like minded soul…I can think of a few who would be thinking oh no not two like her..ha ha…I think another one is good 🙂
Definitely! Strength in an n of 2! 😉
Absolutely fantastic set of photos – as always! And very interesting moment but not good time for the fish… Bye. Have a nice weekend. Kamila
Yes this was a sad day for the poor fish. At least it all happened very quickly.
Ah! Cour d’Alene – my husband grew up in that area of Idaho! Beautiful!
It is gorgeous with really genuinely friendly people!
yes – 😀
Love this so much. Great job!
Awwww, so pleased!
Love Coeur d’ Alene…we had a home in Post Falls in 2000 and enjoyed watching the moose journey on our street each day….imagine…we sold that home 3 years later and moved to Las Vegas!!!! Culture shock. Thanks for the memories😀
We were just in Post Falls. Beautiful! Must have been hard to leave!
It was indeed. But both my husband’s job and mine took us to Las Vegas, mine Real Estate..his High rise steel buildings…we still miss the peaceful life we enjoyed in Idaho..
We just left to Montana, but I understand why people would want to live in their “own private Idaho.”
What a fantastic series of shots. I bet he had a little indigestion…:)
Or maybe even A LOT!!! 🙂
LOL!
I felt that hungry at lunch yesterday, Cindy. 🙂 Great photos!
Cracking up……..I feel this way too frequently too! 😉
AMAZING captures – it’s hard to believe that until we moved to the Northern Hemisphere I’d never seen a seagull eat anything but french fries or trash – how sad is that?! 🙂
That is sad, the are such intelligent and interactive birds.
Great picture, stunning what they can eat and digest.
I was pretty stunned and I grew up around gulls!
Hmm, I thought fish was a healthy food!! Guess that gull should’ve grabbed a pizza instead!!
Laughing!! He must never have been taught the golden rule, “Everything in moderation.” Of course I was taught this, I just often don’t like to follow it! 😉
There was a look of steely determination in that gull’s eyes – the fish was going nowhere except down the aptly-named gullet! RH
Cracking up! Yes that fish was what the gull ‘et! 😉 😉
Oh dear, funny proof that eating isn’t always graceful! 🙂
Sometimes it is just soooooo good, you can’t help but gulp it down!
Absolutely!
This was an either greedy or very hungry bird Cindy, great photos: -D
Take care, enjoy and stay safe.
She could be both of course, I sometimes am! 😉
Wow. This is my city!!! I wish I would have known you were coming. We could have met for lunch!!!
Awwwww, would have loved it, we could have had fish! 🙂
For sure. Loved your photos. Enjoy Glacier!!!
<3
What the heck, don’t they take any time to chew and digest!! Awesome shots Cindy!
I know, disgusting, just like me tonight with the huckleberry pie! That stuff is GOOD!!!
So funny!
<3
wowwwwwwwwwwwwwww very spectacolary shots!
ciao !
Awwwwww, gracias mi amiga! <3
Made me smile I guess when a gull is hungry, she’s hungry. Great series of photos!
Yep, just like me, unfortunately!
Sumptuous! \(*‿*)/
Very fresh sashimi!! Yummy!
Love road trips!
They are so much fun because you don’t have to take any planes!
I have a montage that is similar to yours that I need to post. A seagull eating a starfish whole! It was certainly impressive!
Oh my God! That would be amazing!
This is a sight to see, gulls in a late side city eating fish.
Here on the Gold Coast you see, sea gulls eating taker way, fast food and yet they keep slim.
Cracking up, yes the plumb lake bird was news to me too! Cheeers to you Jack~
“The Birds” is a damn scary movie for a reason! Lovely photos.
Too true!
Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
More wonderful photography from Cindy Knoke – do I look fat if I eat this whole fish..well ya…
Laughing, sometimes it hurts to tell the truth! Thank you for your kind friendship Sally~
Pleasure Cindy.. enjoy the visits very much.
<3 <3
Holy, it did eat the whole fish. Where did it fit in that little bird is my question.
How did it immediately fly off after swallowing this whale is my question? Laughing…..
That creature must have a stomach made for bombs I guess
Fantastic pictures!!
Merci beaucoup!
My question too, and also how did it manage to fly away a few seconds after that last photo? Must ‘a been a heavy takeoff!
This has given me a very happy chuckle.
<3
ahaahh great captures! funny post 🙂
Grazi & cheers!
Wow, great sequence!! Amazing what this bird can swallow.
It is a lot to swallow I know! 😉
Seagulls in Idaho?!
Yep, they must like fresh water fish! 😉
Talk about eyes bigger than it’s mouth!!!
Laughing, yes! It is just too ridiculous not to be true! 🙂
Wow that’s a big catch. The wonders of nature! And the scene so nicely and vividly captured by you! Cheers to you, Cindy!
Love hearing from you Halim! Be well my friend~
Still hard to believe birds can swallow fish almost as big as them…whole. It’s like me trying to down ten In-n-Out Double-Doubles in one swallow. Wonderful series, Cindy.
hehehehe! I am trying to visualize you trying! 😉 😉
Love it!
<3
Beautiful Pictures, thank you very much Cindy….❤️❤️❤️
Thank you more for the appreciation!
It’s in our nature to be hungry and beautiful! <3
Love it & it is so true!
Greedy sod!
hehehe…..see above comment! he was just VERY hungry!!!! 😉 😉
Es una secuencia genial. Felicidades, Cindy.
Mucha gusta mi amiga y abrazos tan bien! <3
Aww! Look at him! He’s a very chubby gull! I think he would have become very fat consuming a whole fish like that! Talk about greedy gulls 😉 He’s huge lol Brilliant photos and great subject matter 🙂 Wolfie would cheerfully gobble them both up for Sunday lunch!!!!
Wow! It is what they do, and it is great you happened to be around with your camera. Thank you for sharing this fun study of a hungry bird 🙂
He was pretty hilarious and quick!!!
Wow, I’m totally stunning! how could he… and how did you capture it? 🙂 Amazing shots, Cindy!
He just a hungry, hungry bird. I get like this sometimes, but don’t tell anyone! 😉
What clarity and color in these portraits, Cindy. We enjoyed this area on our cross country journey one year.
Wow, did your cross the whole country? That’s ambitious!
Five times. SF to SC and back and loved every trip. Many National Parks and stops for great food and photography! 🙂 A beautiful country.
It is indeed! <3
Cindy, the images from the hungry seagull are awesome. Thank you for sharing! Hugs! Veraiconica
Hugs to you my friend and wonderful to hear from you!
Love these pics of the ravenously hungry seagull. And he didn’t even use a napkin. Wow.
What a piggy! That fish was probably having the nicest little swim them bam! Lunch!
That’s life, one your minute swimming, and the next your lunch!
Great capture!
Happy you enjoyed!
What an amazing series of photos – love the narrative too. Hope you’re having a great time.
Thank you so much for stopping by and for the good wishes, back 2 U X 2! <3
Very good Pictures 😃
Vielen dank!
Wow, what a greedy gus!
Or possibly, Gustine! 😉
Good point. Birds are pretty mysterious.
Did you take any pics of the area around Coeur d’ Alene, Cuz? Always liked that area, even the name sounds great !! 🙂
Yes, I did and have more to post after I get home. Lovely area~
What fantastic photos!!!!!
Awwwww, most appreciated!
Excellent captures, Cindy!
Very pleased you enjoyed Dina and cheers to you~
We were up there this summer! Beautiful. By chance did you get to the next lake up the road in Sandpoint, Idaho? Beautiful countryside.
I sadly didn’t. We were only there two days so I know we missed a lot~
I know the feeling. Other than driving by the lake at Coeur d’Alene we didn’t see anything of the city as we were headed north. So many beautiful places so little time…
Exactly!!!
WOW! I guess that’s what I looked like yesterday as I ate that mega cheese curd bacon burger! LOL
Unfortunately, I can fully relate! 😉
Excellent series here! I have never witnessed such an event before. That looks like a big fish formidable fish staring down its captors throat here! So in the end the bird was really able to win the struggle and gulp down the whole thing entirely okay?? If eaten, does the unlucky/desperate fish get swallowed wriggling all the way as well?!
Actually, the fish is dead before it gets swallowed. I have another series of a crane with a huge catfish in Africa that was the same. The bird kills the fish first so the fish goes completely limp and then swallows it. I still do not understand how this gull managed to swallow this fish whole. I hesitate to get super graphic but I suspect he may have swallowed it and flown off somewhere private where another gull couldn’t steal his prize, reguritated the fish, tore it up, and ate it. And I do agree with you, poor fish!
very interesting 🙂
One hungry, hungry bird!
yes it was 😀