Dive, Dive, Dive

[Ryewolf]

I've been watching this Black-headed Gull on the river at Whalley, it seems to prefer this method of fishing - and very successful too. There's a little tell tale sign, a twitch of it's tail, just before it launches upwards, but obviously totally random to get it with it's beak just touching the water. It also has the ability to swim backwards, another thing it does is to waggle it's feet, you can see the ripples but it's not moving, so I'm assuming it's maybe trying to disturb the fish that are motionless.

[JamesT]

Did it just take off from where there's a hollow left in the water?

More evidence that "bird-brained" should be considered a compliment not an insult.

[Ryewolf]

3 minutes ago, JamesT said:

Did it just take off from where there's a hollow left in the water?

Yes, it literally launches itself upwards, even on continuous shooting at 8-9 frames a second I got 3 shots and the last it was almost underwater.

[Clicker]

What a catch .... the phrase seems applicable to both the cameraman  and the gull ! .... a fab nab ...

[Ryewolf]

Thanks Clicker. It's interesting watching a group of birds interact with each other over a period of time. The BHG's are quite protective of what they consider to be their patch and are always squabbling with each other but ignore the ducks and oystercatchers.

It's interesting watching the dynamics of the different birds, female mallards with ducklings tend to keep away from the other ducks as they can get quite aggressive with each other.

[FUJI]

This is one of the best BIF shots I’ve seen for a long time Geoff ......Top Marks from me.

FUJI

[Ryewolf]

Thanks FUJI.