
Big Gulp Gull,

swallows his catch, Coeur d’Alene Idaho.

Bald Eagle,

and juvenile, catch grizzly salmon scraps, British Columbia Canada.

Saddle Bill Stork catches a cat,

Kruger National Park, South Africa.

Red Tailed Hawk,

loves rare water, Southern California.

A pair of Yellow Legs multiply in reflection, Salton Sea, California.

Greater Flamingos tango, Tagus Estuary Portugal.

Mated White Storks greet on their nest, Alsace France.
Cheers to you from your feathered friends~
Beautiful pictures . Reflection image is extremely good. 👌 🍁🍀
Thank you. Much appreciated დ
Amazing photos! Thanks for share Cindy!
Have a wonderful time!
Elvira
Merci beaucoup mon ami Elvira დ
Merci beaucoup mon ami Cindy.
I appreciate your kindness.
Take care.
Elvira
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Aren’t Flamingos amazing creatures? Love your fine feathered friends post, Cindy. Why am I suddenly hankering for a seafood dinner?
Smiling….. Flamingos are incredible, especially when flocks take off დ
You’re right about that! Have you ever seen this iconic photo of the Flamingos sheltering during Hurricane Andrew: https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/the-story-behind-the-most-famous-photo-from-hurricane-andrew What a success story!
OMG! No I hadn’t seen this. How wonderful that people did this!! Thanks for sharing დ
Oh I’m so glad you like it! As far as I’m concerned, that iconic photo is Pulitzer-worthy. And shepherding all of those Flamingos to safety was a brilliant, amazing act by human saints.
Yes! So uplifting!
Wow!!! As a Floridian, I never even heard about this!! My focus was on other things, but this is such a great story!! Good on him!! 🦩🦩🦩
It is such a testament to people who care in action დ
It is!! I just love this story so much! Andrew was such a terrible monster of a storm, and really humbled us here in Florida. It completely decimated Homestead, this is such a bright ray of light!
Storms here in California, and fires, definitely are getting worse. It is terribly humbling. I am very happy you came through safely დ
Fantastic!
Grazie mille Bruce დ
Amazing and beautiful, Cindy! ❤️
Thank you John დ
How will the Gull gulp such a huge fish? Amazing shot Cindy. Thank You for sharing. 🙂
He flew away after swallowing it one big gulp! I was shocked. დ
Terrific shots, Cindy. That gull pigging down is quite humorous!
And it flew off immediately swallowing!!! Amazed me 😉
Fantastic images and captures for you both! I loved the reflections too.
So appreciated and I am happy you enjoyed them! Thank you. დ
Great photos! I love the flamingo pair! There’s an element of repetition in the photo, which I love!
Thank you. I like the repetition too. It implies some sort of unexplained order which is intriguing. დ
Your portraits are so full of great details, Cindy. I’m glad the gull didn’t choke on that fish. Maybe that represented an instance of the eyes being bigger than the stomach!
Laughing….. He was on a pier and I was taking his picture. He saw me, panicked, gulped the whole-dang-thing down, and flew away! I was flabbergasted 😉
I would have been, too!
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Amazing! 👏
Thank you Karen. Birds are such დ
Beauty shots Cindy!All birds instinctively swallow head first to keep those fins folded back!
Thanks much Wayne. I still don’t know how that gull flew off immediately after swallowing that entire fish whole! დ
Never a gull moment looking at these spectacular shots! Way to go, Gull friend! ⋋(‘Θ’◍)⋌ :.。✯❤️❤️❤️
Smiling…. I didn’t know a a gullible was capable of swallowing such a big fish whole!! 😉
Lol! Have a great Sunday, my friend (●මᴗමσ)σணღ*
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All fabulous
Merci beaucoup mon Ami Sheree! (I love writing this! It rhymes.) დ
Indeed it does!
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Great pairs and I loved the creativity of your choices for the last three.
Thank you! Much appreciated. დ
How lucky you are to have seen so much of the world and its wonders! And how lucky *we* are to have you share what you’d seen with us ❤️
Looking at those first few photos makes me feel like I’ve got something stuck in my throat 😂
Burbles of laughter stuck in my throat from you Teresa!! 😉
My gosh..these are all so amazing . And some are fishermen.
And they swallow their catches whole!!! 😉
Who knew these beautiful birds could be so greedy!
They certainly do enjoy a fresh fish dinner!! 😉
That was quite a big fish dinner. *burp*
I bet he belched and burped a bunch of times because he flew off as soon as he swallowed that whole fish! Talk about fast food!! 😉
FAN.TAS.TIC!
So appreciated Pit! Thank you დ
Wonderful pictures Cindy! The reflection birds!
Very happy you liked & thank you Peter! დ
Amazing.
Grazie Mille! დ
Such gorgeous captures, Cindy! The flamingoes are so beautiful.
Thank you Lynette. Flamingos are such a thrill to see დ
If I were the seagull, I’d be paraphrasing the cooking quote “Eating is like love. It should be entered into with abandon or not at all.” 🙂
Cracking up……. I know this is EXACTLY what he was thinking 😉 😉
What fun to see a Saddle-billed Stork in this outstanding collection of photographs! Your keen eye – and quick finger – give us enormous pleasure.
Awwww……. Thank you so much. I feel exactly the same about your amazing photos and posts my friend დ
I am in awe. 🙂
Jim, I am honored. Thank you very much დ
Wow! Great action photos that are hard to take, much less find. Go go Cindy!!
Smiling. So appreciated and so nice of you. Thank you!
Beautiful array of hungry birds.
Thank yo Timothy დ
Great shots…as always. 👏🙂
Grazie Mille დ
Great examples of close ups Cindy. The broad mouth gull personifies its main feature, voracious.
Thank you Hans. Yes gulls are voracious, and so smart. They used to steal silver napkin rings from an elegant hotel near where I grew up and fly off with them. Many years later all the rings were found in an unused bell tower at the hotel.
A gull stole a toy duck from my son when he was three. He said to me, “Don’t worry they’ll bring it back.”
I tried to tell him the gull wouldn’t return it, but my son wouldn’t listen. Several hours passed. As we were packing up to go, the gull swooped down, and dropped the duck on the sand. My son said, “I told you so!”
I think they like some people more than others!!! 😉
Here where I live, they are best known for stealing ice cream or sausages from the hands of people, just when they paid. The staff at the serving have shirts with a printed message “Watch up for the seagulls”, they usually attack from the roof above namely.
Yes. They are masters at stealing food! I love them anyway. They’re hungry. It like’s Les Miserable!
Do you ever take a dud photo? These images, especially of all the fish dinners, are fantastic! Thanks so much.
Thank you Margaret. Your thoughtfulness is most appreciated. I definitely takes lots of duds!! Sometimes if the photo is bad, but I love the subject, it is hard for me not to post it. დ
You have really excelled even yourself with this batch – fearsome, elegant, reflective, and making patterns
Ahhh…… So kind. Thank you Derrick and I love your descriptors! დ
Once again, Anonymous is Derrick
I would know you anywhere my friend. Thank you for the effort to overcome the glitch.
Amazing photos Cindy
Thanks very much Pauline. Give my best to Jack. So wonderful to be back in touch! დ
Great to see you again Cindy. Wonder if you will ever finish your trip to Australia.
We did go a second time, but had already booked a third. Whilst we were in Hyams Beach, covid struck big time. Since then we’re traveling, but not leaving the country. So much left to do and soo, so much life left to live. Having it on hold for another year is frustrating. დ
Top Photos Cindy. on the third from last photo you show a bird that we also have very often a “redshank” i will show photos of it in my netx post. i would be interested in whether it is the same species
Bird identification is fascinating and often so difficult. I don’t think Redshanks are native in Southern California, but that isn’t decisive because I have seen lots of birds where they shouldn’t be! See discussion on this complicated topic: https://www.birdforum.net/threads/redshank-or-lesser-yellowlegs.307854/
You are undisputedly right, due to climate change and other reasons that we often cannot understand, birds come to regions where they shouldn’t be normal.
Flamingos have been settling in my environment for years and raise their nestlings. In another protected area there are red-shouldered ducks whose home is definitely not Germany.
VG Werner
I have seen so many where they shouldn’t be. I saw Mandarin ducks in Baden Baden!
It is often humans who take animals out of their habitat and bring them into a world that is completely foreign to them. Whereby he doesn’t worry about the consequence. Currently, the Egyptian goose is spreading more and more and fighting with other species for their new habitat. Something that was never wanted by nature.
Yes. I saw them in Europe and it is a problem.
Great shot!
Merci beaucoup mon Ami! დ
Great bunch of shots. That yellowlegs reflection is a bit of a mindbender.
Grazie Steve. I love reflections for just that reason! დ
Amazing photos, thanks for sharing. I wish you a wonderful time (without, hopefully, corona), Marie
Thank you Marie. I hope you stay safe and well too my friend დ
The Saddle Bill Stork is so beautiful! I’d say Mr. Gull won’t have a need to steal anyone’s French fries any time soon after swallowing a whole fish!!
Well……. He may wants some chips with that fish!!! 😉 😉
It wouldn’t surprise me!
I would 😉
🙂
These are awesome, Cindy.
Very much appreciated Darlene & thank you! დ
Such great pictures, Cindy! Wow!
Have a nice sunday, and stay safe!
Vielen Dank mein Freund und dir auch, bleib bitte gesund und munter! დ
Breathtaking pictures! I wonder if the gull could fly after all that added weight. 🙂
He did, which shocked the beejeezus out of me! The second he gulped it, that gull was gone!!! 😉
All gorgeous shots, but the Yellow Legs and reflection – amazing!
Awww……. Thanks so much & cheers to you and your critters დ
Great shots. I love the one with the ‘cat’ the angle from behind is every interesting.
Thank you. The plumage on the back of that stork was so beautiful. დ
A stunning array of birds enjoying their tasty treats, Cindy! What a gobbler that seagull was!
Thank you Terri. He ate and flew, which blew my mind!! დ
That’s incredible, but that’s survival for ya!
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These are absolutely gorgeous images Cindy! You have a gift/ talent for photography and fun backstories. To feather friends feasting! 😘
And you have a talent for alliteration, which I love! Thank you Brad & take good care დ
Thank you. I’m grateful to know you Cindy.
Visa versa 2UX2 Brad!
Fantastic photos! it must be wonderful to be exposed to such beauty!
So kind and so appreciated Dawn. Stay safe & well my friend დ
Same to you, Cindy!
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Amazing captures. As fir the gulls they can gulp some imaginable things. There is a footage of a Great Black- backed Gull gulping a hare.
Thank you Michael. An entire hare! WOW. Apparently aquatic birds swallow feathers, lots of them, to cushion the fish bones route through their bodies. I just found this out because someone asked. See: Eating Feathers
“Perhaps because the idea of swallowing hair is so unpleasant to us, it is difficult to believe the stories of birds deliberately eating their feathers. Nonetheless, some do and they do so regularly. Grebes, for example, consume their feathers by the hundreds. Feathers taken from parents are found in the stomachs of chicks only a few days old. Fifty percent of the stomach contents of a Horned or Pied-billed Grebe may be feathers. This odd behavior seems to have a purpose.
The action of the gizzard in these primarily fish-eating birds is insufficient to crush the bones that are swallowed. The feather balls are thought to protect the stomach by padding the sharp fish bones and slowing down the process of digestion so that the bones dissolve rather than pass into the intestine. This notion is supported by the observation that the Least Grebe, which of all the grebes consumes the fewest fish, also accumulates the smallest feather ball. Comparative studies of the gizzards and digestive physiology of fish-eating birds are needed to test this hypothesis. If it is supported, the question will then be why grebes have not evolved digestive tracts that can function efficiently without being stuffed with feathers.”
Yes they do. Very interesting. Some will even regurgitate pellets made of bone, feathers and hair.
I have read of this.
Cindy these photos are so beautiful. Makes me want to cry a bit. Then I thought – what happens to the fish bones? How are they digested? Hmm
Awwww…… So very kind. Thank you! I had no idea about the fish bones and it is a fascinating question. I may have found the answer through google of course, check out: “Eating Feathers
Perhaps because the idea of swallowing hair is so unpleasant to us, it is difficult to believe the stories of birds deliberately eating their feathers. Nonetheless, some do and they do so regularly. Grebes, for example, consume their feathers by the hundreds. Feathers taken from parents are found in the stomachs of chicks only a few days old. Fifty percent of the stomach contents of a Horned or Pied-billed Grebe may be feathers. This odd behavior seems to have a purpose.
The action of the gizzard in these primarily fish-eating birds is insufficient to crush the bones that are swallowed. The feather balls are thought to protect the stomach by padding the sharp fish bones and slowing down the process of digestion so that the bones dissolve rather than pass into the intestine. This notion is supported by the observation that the Least Grebe, which of all the grebes consumes the fewest fish, also accumulates the smallest feather ball. Comparative studies of the gizzards and digestive physiology of fish-eating birds are needed to test this hypothesis. If it is supported, the question will then be why grebes have not evolved digestive tracts that can function efficiently without being stuffed with feathers.”
Cindy that is fascinating! Thank you!
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Those are all beautiful, Cindy. I love the big fish going down the hatch. Doesn’t seem that they should be able to do that, and it is amazing to see. 🙂
Thank you Lavinia. I was flabbergasted. I was sure he wasn’t going to be able to swallow it, and they he up and flew away!! 😉
Fantastic pictures, specially as you saw them at their lunch time! 🙂
Thanks! They were obviously enjoying dining experience! 😉
Cindy…you dazzle me with your photographs. So beautiful and alive.
You are a talented and amazing friend Gigi. thank you and stay safe & well დ
Pingback: Feathered Pairs~ — (don’t miss a single photograph…Cindy’s pictures are gorgeous) | Rethinking Life
What fun, Cindy. I wouldn’t believe that gull could get that fish down without seeing your photos. And then I imagined it swimming around in the gulls stomach. 🙂 –Curt
It actually took off immediately and flew away with that huge thing wiggling in it’s body. I was flummoxed by the whole spectacle! 😉
Oh my goodness – what a lovely New Year treat, Cindy:)). Thank you – stunning, stunning pics!
Awww…..So kind and most appreciated. The Best of The Best New Year to you my friend დ
Cindy, you’ve done it again — what beauties! My favorite? Probably the yellow-legs. After all, their reflections in the water make them look like ink blot tests, ha!
Little Rorschach test birdies reflected!! Love it. დ
Gulp indeed! You said a mouthful.
Actually, he swallowed the mouthful!! 😉
You have the best days at the beach!!
The beach and I are copacetic! დ
Fun group of pics and not always easy to capture. Nice job!
Thank you Ingrid & nice to hear from you. Happy & Healthy New Year დ
How come? I do not understand how these birds swallow so big prey. It looks they are made from rubber. (lol…)
I remember my grandmother in her ninetieth was afraid to choke on because people would say she is greedy. This is why she ate just very soft meal and bit by very small pieces. 🙂 But these guys are not thinking like that and swallow whatever they caught.
It astonished me. I had never seen anything like it. I think they gulp when they can so predators can’t steal their catch. დ
Loving all your bird pics, Cindy!
I hope by the time you can travel safely again, you will have shot most of the species in the Holler!
Sending love…about all I can do right now!
It’s sad. Sheltering for another year. So much life left to live and to see, and so much curtailed. I hope you are staying safe and well Resa. Love to you my friend დდ
Wonderful series of images Cindy, lovely and sharp. When I saw the first one of the gull with that huge fish in it’s mouth, I thought “no way”! Well, apparently so!!
He was on the front of a pier. I was on the back. I saw the first shot happen, and clicked and clicked. First off I couldn’t believe he swallowed it in one gulp. I got a photo of it sort sticking out in his body. But then, immediately, he flew off. I couldn’t believe he could fly!! :0
Ha ha, gives a new spin on flying fish! Poor fish 🐠 great capture 😀
Exactly. He didn’t buy a ticket for that flight! 😉
So so beautiful, each one! I love all the details, I’m mesmerized with these, Cindy!
Ah, I am always mesmerized by your wonderful photos Donna. Thank you! დ
Yum! Great captures of them swallow their delicious food 🙂
Seafood on the go works for them!! 😉
Cindy, I am not only amazed by your feathered friends but also by the number of followers who comment on your posts. Really, I don’t know how you ever have the time to create new blogs when you choose to respond to these wonderful comments.
I am in awe. Truly.
P.S. We remain well in our little family tonight. Tonight is the first night Ella will sleep in her new “big girl” bed in her new bedroom to prepare for her little sister Molly who will be sleeping in the nursery in less than 3 weeks!
Oh my!!! That is SO exciting! I am so happy to hear you are all well!! Love to Ella, Molly and the whole family დდდ
My goodness, you take my breath away. That first series of photos are such remarkable slice-of-life pics. I love the reflections photo as well. You must love what you do, Cindy. I know I would.
I love sharing with incredibly thoughtful people like you. It is a joy. Thank you & stay safe დ
What a marvelous series of bird images, Cindy. You’ve captured many great poses and close-ups. Terrific vibrant, crisp shots. Looking forward to more of your work in the upcoming year! 🙂
As I am your Jane! Thank you my friend & cheers დ
The contemplation of your photos is a delight for the eyes. They are so well done that one can touch these majestic birds from the beach. You really have a unique talent to capture the images of birds and the landscape in an incredible way. Congratulations Cindy for your post.
Your kind and thoughtful comments are so very appreciated. Thank you sincerely. Stay safe and well my friend დ
Thanks for your good wishes. I appreciate them Cindy.
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Cheers to you … and thanks for all that fish 😉
Smiling…. You are most welcome! 😉
Fantastic photos. THe fish looks nearly as big as the bird?
It was! I couldn’t believe the bird flew off immediately after swallowing it! Thanks much Diana & cheers to you დ
These are stunning, Cindy!!
Thank you very much Jennie & cheers! დ
😍
You surely caught a few birds redhanded in the act! Visual evidence …. Guilty!
Kinda like me and cookie dough! 😉
That a way!
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Your pictures are always so captivating Cindy. Capturing some at mealtime was spectacular! Hugs and thanks. 🙂 xx
Thank you. Hugs to you my friend & best of the best for The New Year!! დ
Wow, great images of birds doing what they do. 💖
Much appreciated Sandra. Thank you & cheers დ
Big swallow by the gull.
And he flew right off after swallowing.
Amazing!
Thank you. Birds are such!
Love these feathered pairs, Cindy. Those pretty-in-two-tone-pink flamingos form perfect negative space for drawing, and the black of the water ripples echos their black beaks. I also like all those mirrored yellow legs against the blue water and the little wake spreading away from their legs on otherwise calm water. You really captured the arrival of the Holler Hawk!
You have an artists eye Kathy. Thank you very much & be well my friend დ
Another set of amazing pictures, Cindy. Unbelievable that the birdie eats the whole fishie in just one bite. I wish I could do that😹Pawkisses for a wonderful weekend. Hope it’s a warm one where you live🐾😽💞
I would get in serious trouble if I could swallow that much, that fast, and fly away right after!!! 😉 😉 Stay safe & warm my friend დდ
These are absolutely incredible, Cindy! Do you sell your prints? I am in love with “Saddle Bill Stork catches a cat,” and the one after it. Beautiful!!
So thoughtful and so appreciated Michele. Please feel free to print and use these photos and thank you so much for asking! I wish you a Happy & Healthy 2022 დდ
It is my pleasure. Very generous of you. Thank you, Cindy. I love and appreciate your work and the beauty you share with the world, through your photos, words, and giving spirit.
Awww…… You touched my heart. People like you are why I so love blogging დდ
A mutual admiration. Thank you very much. 😊
I just discovered that I have once again been dropped from following you. Haven’t seen a post in my Reader for ages.
I am so sorry this happened to you. Thank you for making the effort and re-following. Some people refollow me continuously. It is truly terrible. WP is doing this constantly to my blog, and others, and has no inclination to fix it. I am glad you are back and I hope you are allowed to stay დ
So it happens to others, too….I am still shown as a follower, but these posts have not been on my WordPress Reader. I just added following by email in hopes of not missing your beautiful posts.
Ahhhh….. So kind of you and so appreciated too. People I follow also do not show up in my reader which is another frustrating problem. It seems as if there is some cut off number of blogs you follow that will be able to be displayed in your reader. It would be nice if WP were transparent and told us the truth.
Agreed!
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Excellent article
Much appreciated. Thank you.
Cindy, thank you for these wonderful photographs!
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Reblogged this on charles french words reading and writing and commented:
Here are excellent photographs from Cindy Knoke!
I am grateful to spend another new year with you Charles. Your thoughtfulness brightens my life. Stay safe & well დ
Wonderful Photographs Cindy! Happy New Year 🙂
Best Wishes
Kevin
Thank you Kevin. I was just over at your blog, drooling at you Pad-Thai. Happy & Healthy New year to you and your family დ
Love your birds, as always. I’m always thought gulls have big mouths. 🙂
Smiling……. As usual Brenda, you are right! Happy New Year my friend დ
Wonderful post
Much appreciated. Thank you & cheers დ
All these images are exceptionally beautiful in appearance and well composed. Your expertise really shines 🙂.
I am truly touched by your thoughtfulness John. Thank you my friend & stay safe and well დ
Wow the coloring on the saddle bill stork is so cool! All of your bird pics are so fantastic!
Thank you Lisa. Means a lot to me my friend & cheers to you დ
Amazing photos. I can’t believe that the bird swallow the fish whole. Wow!
It was quite a shocker to me as well, especially when he flew off immediately after swallowing it !! 😉
Wow! 🙂
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Beautiful
Grazie mille დ
Cindy, Your pictures are amazing! You have inspired me to pick up the camera again. Your “About Me” page was so cute. I have a visual of where you live because you were so descriptive.
Your very thoughtful comments make me smile. Thank you Mary. I am very happy you are picking up your camera again. I am very peaceful behind mine დ
Interesting…I thought I was already following you. That explains why I didn’t see your posts in the Reader. Anyway, great pics of our fine-feathered friends. The Bald Eagle is my favorite. He’s so serious and commanding…
I just enter nirvana photographing bald eagles in the wild. I always know they are so much smarter than me and this makes me happy. You make me happy too Chandra. Stay safe & well დ
I bet it is an amazing experience. I get happy when I can capture the Canadian Geese which are pretty common in this area. 😀 And…you’re too kind! Have a great week!
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Beautiful, thanks for sharing.
Thank you more for your kind appreciation Tangie დ
Awesome Saddle Bill Stork shots, but the rest are also!
So happy you enjoyed & thank you very much! დ
INCREDIBLE captures, Cindy! Wow!! I get so happy when I visit as I know what to expect…photos that touch my heart and always make me smile.
Hope you are well!
Your so very thoughtful comments touch my heart and make me smile. Thank you Lorrie. Stay safe & well my friend დ
😊 All good things, Cindy. Have a wonderful week!
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Oh, they’re all great!! But those flamingoes!! 🥰👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👌🏻
I love flamingoes. Especially in flocks taking off. So gorgeous დ
Exquisite photos of the feathered friends, Cindy! Thankyou for bringing them to us🌹