Viewing the Seagull Viewing

img_0519

Last Thursday, as I was coming out of my doctor’s office, I could tell that someone was calling me on the phone, even though the ringer was off. I decided to stand near a window to take the call. When I looked out the window, I saw a seagull standing on the ledge in front of me. The bird appeared to be looking at the building across the street.

I was on the phone for a while. During that time, the seagull stood completely still. When I finished the call, I decided to photograph it. Within moments, the bird began to move. At times I felt like it was posing for me!

img_0525

img_0526

img_0529

This was my favorite photo of them all.

img_0515

I am aware that if I hadn’t taken the call, I would never have seen the seagull and would have missed out on this wonderful, unexpected, experience.

Weekly Photo Challenge: The Road Taken

cropped-senior-salon

 

Shared with Senior Salon

45 thoughts on “Viewing the Seagull Viewing”

  3. Pingback: The Road Taken: New Office | What's (in) the picture?

  4. So interesting how little choices lead us down different paths. Your decision to take the call allowed you to have this incredible experience. That seagull is a real ham. Great shots!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  9. I so like how by answering your phone you became present to this lovely moment, to then capture and share it with us. The sense that sometimes things happen so we can capture an unexpected gift offered to us by the universe.

    I enjoy the monochromatic effect that blends the seagull’s colors with those of the surrounding buildings. The last photo is my favorite. I can touch and feel the softness of the feathers splayed out as they follow the arc created by the gulls position. The final exquisite touches being in the subdued yellow and red of the beak and feet which surprise me and bring me back to a multicolored world. In this way it reminds me a bit of hand painted photographs.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  10. What great photos!! I do think they do pose for us. When I was in San Francisco, I was waiting in line, in the rain to get on the cruise boat. There was one seagull that just posed…of course I knew he was there to get the attention of the French fries eaters in front of me. He moved ever so slightly and I was surprised at the amount of clear photos I took in the rain…I find seagulls are beautiful even if they can be downright scary and annoying in the city sometimes [this is referring to my attack when seagulls were chasing me and touching my head downtown Toronto] of course they just wanted my fries from the chip waggon:)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

      1. Yeah, it was one who kept jumping on my head as I ran and he squawked to let his buddies come along. I ran across Nathan Philips Square and a man saw me and held the door open to City hall.

        Liked by 1 person

  12. Hey Karuna,

    An unexpected pleasure having such a beautiful winged angel pay you a house-call, and sit for the camera. Did she leave her feather fluttering in your heart? I think she did. The memory of her winking smile will always be a treasure remembered by you.

    Thank you sharing your wonderful experience with us.

    Namaste 🙂

    DN

    ~ Seagull ~

    Breaking my flight on the 14th height.
    I still on your sill and pose.
    The light at this height feels just right.
    To frame my feathers, my beak, my toes.
    ~
    Capture the colours of my silver grey coat.
    Balance my white just right.
    Light me love me for my pretty petticoat.
    My Monrose pose when feathers float.
    ~
    Look how I glow in your wonderful photo!
    Fairly shimmering to my very last feather!
    My model disguise gave you pleasant surprise.
    And a wink despite the cool weather!
    ~
    My call to gull across vast open seas.
    Will find me posing in warmer climes.
    But I will be sure when next on your shore.
    To ask for chips whilst one sits and dines!
    ~

    Thank you 🙂 Namaste

    DN

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

      1. Hey Karuna,

        Your Gull, She is a glorious memory to cherish and treasure always. I imagine She will lift you airborne to land far away whenever you embrace her feather. Thank you for sharing her with us.

        I had a little Wagtail visit the rooftop spanning away from the window next to which I sit at work. Birds of all varieties pause their flight to stop and drink from surface water and occasional puddles. Little Wilhelmina Wagtail hurried and scurried racing like a roadrunner across the warm felt. She is a symbol of Aphrodite. I thought the name Wilhelmina suited her. Wilhelmina is a female given name meaning “willing to protect”. She is Love on the wing, her song an archaic melody.

        Thank you also for enjoying my frippery. I hope you will enjoy your week also.

        Take care in all ways Karuna.

        Namaste 🙂

        DN

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Hey Karuna,

        My pleasure thank you.

        Wilhelmina is a pretty little treasure. So small but such a big heart has She. I do hope you are able to find an image that does her proud.

        Namaste 🙂

        DN

        Liked by 1 person

      5. Hey Karuna,

        She is a pretty little thing, don’t you think? And such depth to her symbolism as well. She spans the globe.

        Yes indeed Wilhelmina is dressed to impress in black and white.
        With circles about her loving sight.
        I think she is perfect with perfect might.
        Perfectly right despite her slight, Perfect for tweeting Aphrodite’s sweet light.

        Namaste 🙂

        DN

        Liked by 2 people

    2. Hey Karuna,

      ~ Model Monroe Gull! ~

      You must have spelled a prayer!
      Or else unlocked a door?
      Somewhere up on high.
      Above the 14th Floor.
      For a Messenger caught my eye.
      ~
      It seems I was doubly blessed today!
      Doubly Breasted with another dull man’s Tale!
      ~
      Taking place through my window’s glass stage.
      So would you mind?
      If I indulge one small space more?
      Another Truthful line upon your page?
      ~
      In a prayer answered by Who knows why.
      Whilst sitting in a daily haze.
      A Gull of sheer size and magnitude!
      Struck a pose through my searching gaze.
      ~
      One call nothing more turned my head.
      To the right hand side of me.
      And there beyond the double panes.
      Landed the largest Gull I’ve seen.
      ~
      Surfing platinum grey white so luminously bright!
      Crowned crested breasted fired arctic glare.
      She stayed posed paused momentarily.
      Posed perhaps looking in to prim prepare.
      ~
      Dare I look away as she swayed away.
      Along the sill behind the blind.
      Where when drawn-back and opened.
      Disappointment I would find her gone.
      ~
      This Gull!
      What word might define her measure?
      Majesty?
      Winged Grace?
      Icon.
      ~
      I lent closer to the sill impelled by will.
      Catching sight only of her fanning tail.
      She lifted and billowed and soared away
      Perhaps a lost tale for evermore?
      ~
      But then so blessed was I!
      For it was nevermore!
      When to her stage returning!
      Three sweet coo’s ‘I Love You.’
      So close she I heard her whispering.
      ~
      She floated off to coo further.
      To curl pearl in a concave pool.
      Sweet Monroe Gull bathing?
      My goodness my Goddess!
      Monroe!
      ~
      How could one tell of your Beauty?
      Your limitless Gull?
      Your platinum Quills?
      Your silver screen?
      Your Tenderness.
      Your Grace?
      ~
      Your face softly feathered.
      By feathers so small.
      Eyes teased teasing Love’s dream.
      My Girl Monroe.
      Was a Gull to recall.
      ~
      So proud was She.
      So regal Her See.
      Queen of Air.
      Exquisite in my stare.
      ~
      Monroe Gull.
      She is stood to her knees.
      Undressed a little if you please!
      Merrily in the concave pool.
      She fools merrily as Winged Love.
      ~
      Once a light bright beaming downwards.
      Her pool now has concavity.
      Capacity for water to pool.
      Where she pools now.
      Bathes her feathered Goddess chic.
      ~
      Her beak takes a dip.
      One sip a gurgle
      A flush
      A swallow.
      Gambling playfully.
      She might be anywhere.
      Stilling softly sinking to bathe.
      ~
      In my gaze.
      For she knew I watched her.
      Through clean windows.
      Of course.
      From Love’s chair.
      So close by.
      It felt daring to stare
      She said I should.
      ~
      Feather’s slipped to land with slight.
      Bright adorning silver water light.
      Liquid tripped syrup spun tips.
      Teased lips barbs dripped.
      Until calm serene.
      She floated a Queen.
      The most beguiling queen I’ve ever seen.
      ~
      Graced face sinuously streaming.
      Sensing wet water’s ripple flow.
      Yet leaving nothing
      No damp trace on feathered lace.
      No gleam on silvered glace.
      ~
      She was grace.
      Winged Grace.
      ~
      My beguile her bewitchment.
      Whichever it was.
      Is etched a memory.
      Forever lending unending.
      Indelible unforgettable mystery.
      ~
      Her Show was scintillating.
      Flawless diamond impeccably silvered.
      I watched the views muse.
      Her Muse an Artist’s dream.
      ~
      I sigh.
      Ache
      Even now late this hour.
      Still thinking of her.
      My Model Girl.
      My Model Gull.
      My Goddess.
      Monroe.
      ~
      Forever her indelible treasure a memory of pleasure to cherish forever.

      Brightest blessing Karuna 🙂

      Namaste

      DN

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  13. Hey Karuna,

    How are you? All swell with spring I trust?

    ~ May I Tell Tale of Wilhelmina? ~

    Would you mind a short story?
    It is Loving Truth.
    And proof as you’ll see.
    Reaching in Love is rewarding.
    ~
    I thought I’d report.
    A little Magic at work yesterday.
    A dashing of flirting Wilhelmina.
    Skating a dull man’s boards.
    In deep love of Her Reverie.
    ~
    She posed at pace repeatedly.
    I suppose between dish and dash.
    A merry tweet treat like old time.
    Burlesque Vaudeville sash panache!
    ~
    She barely poised Her twirling pace.
    Flickering through Her Light.
    Quivering butterflies spill fluttering.
    Her delight my stomach’s flight.
    ~
    Should my eye ever reach beyond loving Her.
    Take grasp of my snapshot camera.
    I would flit fast and flow.
    Beyond the window.
    Dancing Her tweet melody.
    ~
    There with her turn on a full show!
    Heaven above her stage!
    She teased me exquisitely.
    Slowly in hope she lingers longer.
    Sweet Wilhelmina Loving me gently.
    Slowly sensuously with her dance.
    Her fancy from Aphrodite.
    ~

    Hoping your week is as wonder-filled as always.

    Take care Karuna in all ways

    Namaste 🙂

    DN

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. You take a photo of her with your mind every time you see her! When I opened my door this morning there was a hummingbird in the primroses I have sitting on the porch. It left immediately but it was fun to see it. I’ve never seen one this early, particularly in temperatures less than 40 F.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. Hey Karuna,

        What a wonderful surprise for you! And such a gift to see a her hummingbird, to have her waiting there for you on your door 🙂 Gull and Hummingbird. Now there’s two feathers to meditate on, and such symbolism to enjoy. If you were to wish for a third type of bird spot out of the blue what would it be?

        I caught only fleeting sight of Wilhelmina today chasing flies upon the roof top. The sun beat down all day, a delight sparkling upon pools and puddles. A blue sky day with feathered clouds and soft music blowing in the wind. Perhaps temperatures this coming summer will be record highs? The Earth needs a really good blast of Sun 🙂

        Hoping all is well in all ways and in all ways always will be so.

        Namaste 🙂

        DN

        Liked by 1 person

      2. I know that we have sparrows and wrens and bluebirds in addition to the hummingbird but I don’t know what other kind are here. I will be learning much more about birds this year.

        I’m glad you saw Wilhelmina today. I know she is such a gift for you.

        Normal temperatures here are 52 at this time of year. They have mostly been in the 30’s and low 40’s. Brrrrrr. I like the vision of a sunny summer. I don’t need record highs, mid to upper 70’s are my ideal!

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Hey Karuna,

        Then I hope we will both find enjoyment in learning more about them. Beautiful in form and function natural in flight and flying.

        I wonder sometimes if bird’s have evolved to understand human language as well as master the air. A foolish question perhaps? I think of a voice and the sound of voices rising as waves leaving Earth vibrating the air.

        I think of the birds. How they must feel the rising of sounds travelling through the air. They are symbiotic with flight, seamless with air, masters of wind currents. Perhaps they have evolved to hear our voice on the air. I would pray for Love to be carried airborne by feathered flocks.

        I always lift up a feather.
        Fallen upon my way
        I let it write it’s own lines.
        Overwhelmed.
        By high tales it has to say.
        ~

        Mid to upper 70’s would be ideal for here overseas. Roll on towards summer time and a calming in the breeze.

        Wilhelmina was absent from work today. I missed her flurry. Her Love.

        Take care always.

        Namaste 🙂

        DN

        Liked by 1 person

I would love to hear from you!