Saturday, June 26, 2010

Gull-with-its-head-on-upside-down

I really can't explain what has happened here. The photo is as taken - no Photoshop trickey - see more of original image below. I can only imagine that this bird has completed a 180 degree roll just before I pressed the shutter release and its head hasn't caught up with its body. If so, I'm amazed at the torsional flexibility of its neck. Taken on the beach at Warkworth today.

9 comments:

  1. I don't see the problem. That's how all the gulls fly here down under in Australia!

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  2. What an acrobat! Absolutely amazing picture!Thanks for sharing.

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  3. I have seen gulls doing something similar when shaking water of their plumage: they shiver while they carry flying like normal and shake their heads too. That individual's fluffled up feathers fit on this behaviour, but I would have never expected them to rotate their necks that much. Great capture!

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  4. Hi Richard, that must be it - an Australian tourist. You have a fascinating web site.

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  5. Hi lotusleaf and Valerianna, I've never seen anything like it....

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  6. Hi Blackbird, I think you have the explanation. This flock of gulls was bathing in a shallow pool on the beach, moulting feathers, and took off as I approached. I think it must be shaking itself dry in flight. Thanks!

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  7. Great capture Phil.
    Not something you'd expect to see every day.

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  8. Hi Keith, with a one thousanth of a second shutter speed and pure chance, I'd never have noticed it...

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