While my mother was visiting Utah she was able to see how California Gulls chase and feed on Brine Flies, it is fascinating feeding behavior. As my mom watched, I photographed.

California Gull feeding on Brine Flies 1California Gull feeding on Brine Flies 1

The gull starts out standing on the edge of the Great Salt Lake. The Brine Flies can bee seen in this image floating on the hyper saline lake surface.

California Gull feeding on Brine Flies 2California Gull feeding on Brine Flies 2

Then it begins to run and the Brine Flies lift off from the sand and water surface. All of the brown colored specks on the shoreline are the pupal casings of the Brine Flies.

California Gull feeding on Brine Flies 3California Gull feeding on Brine Flies 3

As the gull gains momentum it lifts its wings and more flies take to the air…

California Gull feeding on Brine Flies 4California Gull feeding on Brine Flies 4

Then the gull starts to catch the flies by opening and closing its bill as it runs along.

California Gull feeding on Brine Flies 5California Gull feeding on Brine Flies 5

The Brine Flies fan out in an undulating wave in front of the gull as it races along snatching them from the air

California Gull feeding on Brine Flies 6California Gull feeding on Brine Flies 6

When the flies thin out in front of the bird the gull slow down

California Gull feeding on Brine Flies 7California Gull feeding on Brine Flies 7

And come to a stop.

California Gull feeding on Brine Flies 8California Gull feeding on Brine Flies 8

The gull rests a few moments and begins chasing the Brine Flies again. This frame shows the gull a little further from the shoreline and the flies lifting up from the sand.

California Gull feeding on Brine Flies 9California Gull feeding on Brine Flies 9

Again the gull grabs the flies from the air with its bill.

California Gull feeding on Brine Flies 10California Gull feeding on Brine Flies 10

And comes to a halt again. I have no idea how many flies a California Gull catches when it runs along the shoreline, it would be interesting to know though.

All of these images were taken using my Nikon D300 with my lens resting on my Noodle, f6.3, ISO 500, with shutter speeds ranging from 1/2000 to 1/3200 and all of them were taken using natural light.  These images are a challenge to create because at times the camera tries to focus on the mass of flies instead of the bird.

There are more images of California Gulls exhibiting this feeding behavior on this post titled California Gulls feeding on the Brine Flies of the Great Salt Lake.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my California Gull photos plus facts and information about this species.