feeding frenzy: two ducks, thirteen gulls

Interpretation of photo:

Mallard at bottom left, a little out of focus, is advancing rapidly towards the melee.

The second mallard, at rear, has a breadcrumb in his beak; however, a gull to his left (i. e. to our right) is hatching a plan to extract the bread before it disappears down the duck's gullet.

In the main group of feeding gulls, the gull facing straight towards us (Zulu) has a crumb in its beak, but the adjoining gull has clamped his beak around Zulu's beak and intends to make him drop the crumb.

All ten gulls on the ground are standing with wings unfolded to discourage unwanted intruders, including each other and the three hovering gulls, from joining the fray.

The mallard at bottom left has a reasonable chance of coming out of the melee with a crumb or two.

But.... one should never underestimate the greed and determination of a black-headed gull!


Photographed at Abbotts Quay, Wareham, Dorset