Clearwater Beach - Laughing Gull

After a few days of wall to wall Disney and Universal we took a well earned break by visiting the beach. On our previous trip to Florida we had visited Cocoa Beach on the east coast of Florida. So this time we decided to go west, revisiting the beach where my wife and I spent the first half of our honeymoon, over 20 years ago - Clearwater Beach.

Although it was a hot sunny day, the beach wasn't massively busy. When we first arrived I noticed there were a number of gulls circling around. And I could also see a group of birds further down the beach. So, on the pretence on finding the hotel we stayed in on honeymoon (I looked for I don't think it is there anymore) I went to see what I could find.

One of the species of gull flying around was the laughing gull, name after its strident laugh like call. It is quite similar to the Black Headed Gull found in the UK, but has black legs, pronounced dark wing tips and the red beak is less pronounced. They were quite easy to approach as they sat on the beach, but the bright sunlight and very pale sand, meant that contrast was a real problem.

Laughing GullClearwater Beach, Florida, USA

Laughing GullClearwater Beach, Florida, USA

I managed to capture some interaction between this pair of gulls.

Laughing GullsClearwater Beach, Florida, USA

But I particularly enjoyed taking photos of these birds against the clear blue sky.

Laughing GullClearwater Beach, Florida, USA

   Laughing GullClearwater Beach, Florida, USA

Laughing GullClearwater Beach, Florida, USA

Laughing GullClearwater Beach, Florida, USA

Laughing GullClearwater Beach, Florida, USA

Laughing GullClearwater Beach, Florida, USA

Laughing GullClearwater Beach, Florida, USA

Laughing GullClearwater Beach, Florida, USA

For more Laughing Gull images please go to the gallery here.