Flight of fancy

Jason came to the rescue again and joined the Browns and myself on the peninsula to fly his drone for us. With a GoPro camera attached to the underbelly of the beast he flew transects over the peninsula, photos being taken twice a second by the GoPro. I got home and downloaded just under 500 photos and then had to put together composites of the transects to count the white and black blobs.

Protect the pilot!

The gulls weren't entirely sure about the new boy on the block.

View from above.

I live in a spectacular place!

Count the dots.

Gulls

As I am going through photos, deleting and editing as I choose the better or more interesting ones for my blog, I am more and more appreciating these awesome creatures! Spending so much time out in the colonies, getting into the lives of certain pairs, and documenting the process, has been such a privilege and an amazing experience! Gulls are definitely not a species that people are interested in but I have gained new appreciation for them!

A fluffy bum sticking out.

Look out world!

A 'hardcore mama' not willing to move so I can weigh her eggs.

Making waves.

Chick ringing

We organised that the first mass chick ringing of the season would be while my parents were visiting. Another qualified ringer (Dad) and a pair of helpful hands (Mom) are always appreciated! Michelle, a student from Stellenbosch, also joined us to get a taste of what happens out in the field. All in all it was a very successful day! Over 200 chicks were ringed, and some very interesting regurgitations were collected! It was a long morning, and we did not look as clean and fresh faced when we finished as when we began, but it was a wonderful morning out in the colony!

A fresh, clean team ready for the day!

The first chick to be ringed.

Michelle holding her first Kelp Gull.

Shirley and I.

An angry mama!

Dad and I.

Shirley with her hands full!

So cute when they're small!

Double trouble!

Hiding in the bushes.

Little Egrets.