• Thursday-What'sUP October 30 - 08:10 am

Seagulls aren't one of the most desired birds to have around, since they're pretty much a nuisance if you're having a picnic or there's the tiniest scrap of food nearby. But even so, today's photos are good ones and timely, too. Our first shot comes from Judy Torola, which captured five seagulls in flight. That one made me wonder where all the seagulls go, once the cold and snow arrives here in the Keweenaw. It's not a departure that you notice right away, it's more like, all of a sudden, you realize they haven't been around lately.

The second photo was snapped by Doug Grusser and it looks like this seagull has had enough flying for the time being and is taking a needed break amidst the dried leaves in the grasses. So how about it folks. Anyone have the inside scoop on where the seagulls head for the winter months.... maybe they're the original "snow-birds."

We have several pictures just like the bottom one. Don't have any like the top one, though. Nice job. Why do so many of us like to take pictures of seagulls? I think it's because we can get so close to them before they fly away. Fun pictures!

I believe they go to Sea-World.

They may go there by accident, or they may go on porpoise, but I think they go just for the halibut.

Not all seagulls go south for winter. There are hundreds of seagulls flying among the crab boats sailing the Bering Sea on the series "Deadliest Catch".

They go to the Burger King parking lot near me.

Alex, excellent ones!

My early elementary students were often confused that seagulls and e-gulls were two different birds. I explained to them that seagulls were the ones in our local McDonald's parking lot. It cracked me up that they pronouced eagle "e-gull"!

I wonder what A & B gulls look like? Haven't seen them yet. Perhaps Mich. is too far North, or is it the other way around?

Could there be a Z gull? Ahhh.... but I should digress, that's a bit too far.

I could not get too annoyed by those pesky birds after the "Jonathan Livinston Seagull" movie years ago. Wished I had a dollar for every time I played that record! Such a thoughtful movie of a free spirited soul. And of course I've been a rabid fan of Neil Diamond all along!

Mary was wondering where gulls go in the winter. The link below provides information about more than 50 different species of Gulls. Apparently some species are endangered and all species are protected. All I know is that they can become very aggressive. One summer we were having a picnic on a beach in Maine and if you weren't paying attention, the Herring Gulls would swoop down and try to grab your sandwich right our of your hand. Although they may be annoying sometimes, they are still fun to watch as they cruise along the beach...


http://www.camacdonald.com/birding/Sampler4-Gulls.htm

Great pictures and puns today, folks! Thanks for the laughs! As for beach birds, I'm also rather fond of watching sandpipers and stilts. Dashing around on skinny little legs, they can be quite entertaining.

Wonderful birdie pics, thanks, and Steve, I'm assuming you sent in this magnificent picture of our beautiful Lake Superior! Kudos!

Wonderful birdie pics, thank you....Steve, did you take that magnificent photo of Lake Superior? Kudos.

Sorry, for the double message. My end showed the first one didn't go through! Oy!

No it is not my picture, on the what's up page John Anderson asked if his second picture could be posted becaused he liked it better. I posted it for him but put it on the wrong page.

Yes, a sign Winter's on the way. I've seen Canada Geese in flight the last couple of weeks or so, also. Thanks 4 sharing the pic you found, Steve.

If I recall correctly the seagulls "Hi-bird-nate here near the warm water from the local power plants on the Detroit River.

My husband wishes seagulls would leave in the summer. On one of our trips to Mackinac Island a few years ago we bought some hot dogs. As Jim (my husband not to be confused with the seagulls) put the hot dog up to take a bite and a seagull flew just above the hot dog grabbing the whole thing just as Jim was going to take a bit. We had a friend with us and the two of us began to laugh hysterically. Jim was not happy with us and if he could have gotten a hold of that seagull he would have wrung it's neck. To this day he gets upset at the site of a seagull and I laugh.

i like the fee lawns they have purpose in nature hot dogs or not very very nice pictures

Tom: Yes, Chief Warrant Officer, Army. 27 years active service. Born in Houghton, retired to Fla, but usually get back UP home each summer.
Sorry I didn't respond sooner, but was off the net for a couple days.

Bob Jewell: Thanks for the info about the MTU cam.

thanks mickill justt wondering

alex, you gave me a good laugh -- thnx

Many species of Gulls visit Michigan throughout the year. Only a few species breed here and of those it's mostly Ring-billed Gulls and Herring Gulls two of the most common in North America. Of these two, Herring Gulls are the ones most around in winter but several species are found wherever there is open water. Thus most summer Gulls we see in Michigan,& the Great Lakes, spend their winters mostly along the Atlantic coast, the Gulf of Mexico and along the lower Mississippi River. Some of the winter Gulls seen in the Great Lakes are from the far Artic having migrated here for the winter. Down at this end of the state we see Gulls throughout the winter along the St. Clair River, & Detroit River which stay primarily open water. Also many hang around the many landfills which stay more or less unfrozen down this way.
Gulls breed/nest on remote desolate islands, sandbars and sometimes on cliffs/outcroppings near water, to which Michigan & the Great Lakes is blessed with.

TO WALTER; You are welcomed or is it welcome?

My son-in-law calls them dumpster ducks!

My mom and I went for a ride to L'Anse one time and stopped at a roadside park and had a sandwich and a banana. For the heck of it my mom started throwing the banana peels in the air to see what the saegulls would do. Sure enuogh they caught them and ate them. Then she looks at me and says, 'big poops.' and starts to laugh. She was pretty funny. ;O)

When I sailed on the Lakes, we just called 'em flying rats. They can make a mess on your car in the Walmart parking lot, too. :o(

When my darling wife, daughter and I were vacationing in the UP a few years ago, they thought it would be fun to feed the flying rats! Of course I was the beneficiary of the seagull's perfect aim. Right in the middle of my bald spot!

I was told if you get pooped on by a bird that meant good luck lol