Blog launched: November 10, 2009

Saturday, February 21, 2026

Larus michahellis flying over Athens

304_3846 [Larus michahellis]
 
 A swarm of birds crossing the sky of Athens and going … I have no idea where!
 
The more I looked at them in the sky, the more they reminded me
of … a group of fighter aircraft on mission flying in a V formation!
 
What disagreed with my imagination, though,
was that two birds were out of alignment,
unlike fighters which are always perfectly aligned to each other
when flying in a V formation.
 
So later, in the post processing stage,
making use of “poetic license”
I relocated the two birds in the frame
so that they would match the image I had imagined!
 
As to the name Larus michachellis,
it refers to the big, handsome, Mediterranean sea-bird we call a "Gull".
 
It is relatively easily identified
from its grey back, white head, long black wingtips, pale to deep yellow legs, and vivid yellow beak.
 
It may live up to 10 years with a varied diet 
that consists mainly of aquatic animals, but also of plants and leftovers!

 
 
301_9011 [Rarus michahellis]

 A mature bird in flight
 
 
 
301_9039 [Larus michahellis]
 
Scanning the sea from above for a fresh fish.
No preference for a specific kind or size! Any will do!
 
 
 

302_9138 [Larus michahellis]

A juvenile exploring the aquatic environment.
Juvenile gulls have to wait for up to 4 years since birth
before they are considered adults! 



304_4486 [Larus michahellis]

In search for food on the mainland, far from their natural environment, the sea. 
 
Are they fed-up with their daily fish diet
or are they starving to death and are desperately looking for food
on unexplored territories?  


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