http://zbirdtours.com/blog/2009/11/13/black-tailed-gull-gone/ The Adventures of Z Thu, 12 Jan 2012 10:25:27 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 http://zbirdtours.com/blog/2009/11/13/black-tailed-gull-gone/comment-page-1/#comment-11 Gary Petro Thu, 24 Dec 2009 07:26:26 +0000 http://zbirdtours.com/blog/?p=33#comment-11 Today, Dec. 23rd at about 3:20 pm, while waiting in traffic next to the transit center at the Lakewood Mall (south of Tacoma) I saw a Black-tailed Gull. I was sitting in my car watching half a dozen large gulls circling and picking at garbage on the sidewalk along with several crows about 50 feet away to the northwest of me. I realized that one gull, while similar in size and crude color scheme to the other gulls, was quite unique. Finally I saw it from behind with its wings spread in full sunlight and its black tail clearly displayed. It occurred to me that it might be a rare Black-tailed Gull like the one I'd read mention of in the December issue of The Towhee (Tahoma Audubon Society paper). I noted as many details as I could discern while waiting in my car. Later I checked with my Sibley field guide and recent photos on the internet from Commencement Bay in Tacoma. It clearly was a Black-tailed Gull. I guess I should have put shopping on hold for a few more minutes and gotten out of my car to better take in the close up view. Today, Dec. 23rd at about 3:20 pm, while waiting in traffic next to the transit center at the Lakewood Mall (south of Tacoma) I saw a Black-tailed Gull. I was sitting in my car watching half a dozen large gulls circling and picking at garbage on the sidewalk along with several crows about 50 feet away to the northwest of me. I realized that one gull, while similar in size and crude color scheme to the other gulls, was quite unique. Finally I saw it from behind with its wings spread in full sunlight and its black tail clearly displayed. It occurred to me that it might be a rare Black-tailed Gull like the one I’d read mention of in the December issue of The Towhee (Tahoma Audubon Society paper). I noted as many details as I could discern while waiting in my car. Later I checked with my Sibley field guide and recent photos on the internet from Commencement Bay in Tacoma. It clearly was a Black-tailed Gull. I guess I should have put shopping on hold for a few more minutes and gotten out of my car to better take in the close up view.

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