Of course no evening at the beach would be complete without a visit from our old friend with the mangled leg and foot. The gull may just be greeting us in a friendly manner, but his call is so mournful and long we often wonder what tale of woe he is trying to share. The burdened gull looks in a lot better shape now than he did at the beginning of the summer.
I’ve learned not to feel too sorry for this gull. He doesn’t seem to feel sorry for himself. His large strong wings work perfectly well and we see him flying and fishing out over the rocks and the water. And every summer he’s an expert at swooping down and snatching hot dogs from unsuspecting diners at the picnic tables. I once saw him swallow a foot-long hot dog, whole, in one big gulp! Human food is not good for gulls and most people, including us, obey the rules not to feed them. At least not on purpose. 🙂
We learned that we are not this old gull’s only friends. While a group of three off-duty lifeguards were walking along, chatting and gathering up their equipment for the last time this summer, he flew over and landed on a picnic table right in front of them and squawked at them. They all said hello and spoke to him and then finally one said, as the gull flew off, “Good-bye, Claws! Please don’t die!”
So Tim & I are not the only ones who wonder at the end of each summer if this wounded gull will make it through the coming winter. Since I first met this gull in 2011, he must be at least four years old, probably more. Gulls live ten to fifteen years so it is possible he may be around for many summers to come.
Jonathan Seagull discovered that boredom and fear and anger are the reasons that a gull’s life is so short, and with these gone from his thought, he lived a long fine life indeed.
~ Richard Bach
(Jonathan Livingston Seagull)
photos by Tim Rodgers
I started with feelings of sadness for this Gull but you turned my view around and now I admire his strength and perseverance I wonder if he gets MORE treats because of his affliction.
My feelings about him evolved the same way yours did, Sybil, although it took me a couple of years. I suspect more than a few people take pity on him and sneak him a few morsels, mostly french fries unfortunately, now and then. But he is perfectly capable of finding his own food, which I am glad I finally figured out. 🙂
Thank you so much for showing compassion for the seagull and i pray he is doing ok.I love all animals in nature but most particularly Squirrels, chipmunks and seagulls..Found your site by mistake as i was looking for pics of Juncos. Love your quotes and pictures and thanks so much for sharing them…I admire the seagull’s perserverance as I also have a disability in my feet….
You’re welcome, Lucille, I’m happy you found my little blog and do hope you will come by and visit again. Thank you for your kind words! If I see the gull this winter I will be sure to post updates about how he is faring. I’m still waiting for the juncos to come back to my feeder this year – I fell in love with them last winter. It’s so nice to “meet” another bird and animal lover! 🙂
That is a great story of life. I’m sure he’ll live as long as any other gull. He has adapted to his situation and makes the best of it. Beautiful photos of your friend too!
Thanks, Tiny! (I’ll let Tim know you liked his pictures!) When we first saw him in June the gull seemed ill, scrawny and shivering, sitting on a rock. Our winter had been the coldest on record and we were surprised to see him at all. I hope he built up enough strength over the summer to make it through another winter.
Oh, I hope that too!
What a beautiful story. I love your telling us about the three life guards and the words one of them said. Jonathan Livingston Seagull was my favorite book when I was a teenager. I still have it, somewhere on one of the shelves. Thanks for sharing about this wounded gull.
Thank you, Arti! Jonathan Livingston Seagull was one of my favorite book when I was a teenager, too, but I don’t think I have it anymore. When the lifeguards called the gull Claws, I didn’t much like the name, but then I thought, well, at least they gave him a name. Maybe I should call him Livingston. 🙂
Beautifully captured. I especially liked the fourth pic – looks as if its snow on her beak! so nice..
Smiling……………
We wonder about that white stuff on his beak, too. Sometimes it looks fluffy like little feathers, other times it looks solid, like barnacles…
This is a wonderful post, Barbara. Like you, my feelings have evolved over injured gulls which I see sometimes, too. I have come to admire and learn from them rather than pity them. They just get on with it, and I imagine they do not waste time on woe.
Thank you, Melissa! I think animals have a remarkable gift for living in the present moment and accepting things as they are. We can be so attached to our stories, but as you say, they know how to just get on with living, making the best of it all.
I was just about to feel sorry for this gull, but I think you’re right. No reason to pity him as seems to be living a good life. Thank you (and thanks to the gull, too) for the reminder. 🙂
You’re welcome , Robin. 🙂 This gull has been a good teacher to many of us I imagine, especially to those of us coping with pain and permanent injuries.
It’s a privilege to know a wild animal, or bird, in this way, Barbara. You have blogged about him before, haven’t you? He probably recognises his familiar people, just as you know him, and he knows that you are his friends and he can trust you. I hope he lives through the winter to meet you again. <3
Yes, Joanne, I have blogged about him several times, including the first time I noticed him at the beach in August of 2011: http://www.ingebrita.net/2011/08/in-the-offing/
He’s a tough old bird! I was delighted to discover that he has other human friends. I might check the beach more often this winter to see how he’s faring. ♥