Friday, May 28, 2010

Bozo the Seagull

I forgot this photo on the last post.  This particular Seagull was the only one that showed no fear of me at all and would eat alone and turn it's back on me.  The seagull would always be standing with it's two legs crossed and one wing hanging down.  It didn't have any trouble walking or flying so it wasn't injured.  Made for an entertaining few minutes. 

Every time I giggled this is how it would look at me.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Dump Turkey

Back on the east cost we always called Seagulls "Dump Turkey's" because they were very common and always at the dump.  Never did find out if they tasted like turkeys.  Although they are common south, in Nunavut they are one of the first signs the brief summer is starting. 

I had left a bag of bread on the counter and one or more of the cats tore the bag and destroyed the bread inside.  So instead of throwing it in the garbage I figured it was a good excuse to bait some birds for photos.  The best of the results are below.

My favourite photo of the evening.  I originally passed it off as a failed photo but after looking at it again the eye kept drawing me in.  Taken just as the seagull was taking off.
The bait.  I had to stand outside for about an hour before they would start going for the food.  Luckily the last couple of days have been sunny and warm.  Today it's 2C but feels liks 20C.
The first investigator on the scene.  Didn't care for me being so close to the bait.
Was a failed photo until I noticed this shadow.
Fighting over a prime spot.
A rare moment in the summer.  A raven and a seagull in the same place. 
My second favourite photo of the evening.
This would have been my favourite if it had been in focus and the other seagull wasn't in the photo.  But a friend at work liked it the best and wanted to see it on the blog.  So blame him not me.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Arctic Hares

Not the best photos but the conditions were bad.  10:30 pm and the sun had just gone below the hoizon, strong wind and the tempeture was -8C without the wind and the snow won't hold my weight anymore.  After the initial photo below they took off and I decided to chase them though the knee deep snow.  In the end it was all worth it.

A bit blurry but I had the big zoom out and was hand holding it.
They had run (hopped?) up one of the steep hills at the park and gave me some time to set up the tripod and catch my breath.  The wind was blowing hard enough that I had to hold on to the tripod or it would blow over.
Neither one ever turned their back on me even though I was a long way off at this point.

Too cute.

Friday, May 21, 2010

Matty Land

I will be back to blogging soon.

Until then all is good in Matty Land.

:o)