Sunday, January 21, 2024

 Naturally White!

Iceland Gull, Kumliens subspecies, with ice crystals forming on bill.
Ring-billed Gull soaring over water.

Ring-billed Gulls have been hunting low over water in their quest for food. I unexpectedly captured a photo with the gull's head under water.

As it emerged from the water, a small sample of food, probably a fish, could be seen in the bill.

Hanging out with the gulls for the past several days has been at least one Black-legged Kittiwake. As many as four kittiwakes were found one day just north of the Bluewater Bridges! Kittiwakes nest in colonies on cliffs of the North Atlantic, North Pacific and Arctic Oceans. They are true pelagic seabirds, spending virtually their entire lives on the open ocean and only touching land during the nesting season. They can sometimes be spotted on the Great Lakes during the winter months. Although I have never heard one call, their cry of "kittiwake" contributed to their common name.
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black-legged_Kittiwake/overview

Fresh snow provides opportunities to see the tracks of animals such as mice. 
Mouse tracks running over the surface disappeared when the mouse dove under the snow. The imprint of the tail can be seen between the feet. The tunnels created by the mouse as it moved under the snow are visible in the upper half of the photo, (above the dark hole). 

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