"Octogull"

[David Salem]

This is one of those funny stories about being at the right place at the right time.
A friend had sent me some pics of a Gull that was feeding on Octopus on a regular basis and in a localized area. My buddy had been waiting every afternoon for 3 or 4 hours trying to get another chance at a shot of him in action.
On his fifth straight day of waiting I decided to meet him for a few hours in the evening. I saw him and a few other photographers off in the distance waiting so headed that way. As soon as I walked up and asked if they had seen Octogull, this gull flew towards us. I picked up my rig just to get an exposure setting and to prefocus, and as soon as I got him in the frame, he stopped and started hovering right in front of me. Another second later and he dove into the shallow water and battled with this pacific octopus. The fight lasted for a few minutes as the Gull drug it to shore and beat the c%#p out of it.
I had literally been there for one minute before the actin started. The joke was, OK I'm done, see you guys later I can't repeat what their response was.
Him gagging this good size octopus down was fun to watch and photograph too. I will post some of the glut eating this later.
This frame was early on in the battle before the Octopus was torn up and full of sand. Not ultra artistic, or the best light, but I think it tells the story.

1DX---840mm---f6.3---ss1/4000---ISO640---HH@4:40pm---35% crop

Thanks as always for looking and for your input. Appreciate it.

David

[Karl Egressy]

Wow, this is a fantastic action shot, David and a great story too.

[gail bisson]

WOW! What a great prey! Never heard of gulls eating an octopus.
Great action here and as always great IQ!
Fun story too.

[David Salem]

Thanks Karl and Gail. I'm glad you like it. Never seen a Gull eat an Octopus either. He's become a star now amongst the local photographers.

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi David, enjoyed the background story leading up to the final capture and I every much like the capture itself. A sizeable meal no doubt, but consumed in minutes? No idea what the location is like, but any chance of a lower POV here David? Look forward to seeing more from this subject.

TFS
Steve

[David Salem]

Thanks Steve.
It actually took quite a few minutes for him to get this octopus down the hatch. First he spent a few minutes tenderizing it, then a few attempts to gag it down. This looks to be right at the limit of his meal size. Unfortunately the location doesn't allow for a lower POV. It is in a wildlife preserve and you must stay on the raised trails.
Also, even if you could, you would be to close and probably keep Ocogull from hunting next you. I will post some more later.
Thanks as always for your input. I appreciate it.

[Steve Kaluski]

First he spent a few minutes tenderizing it, then a few attempts to gag it down. This looks to be right at the limit of his meal size.

You would think that with the size of meal it might appear as a 'shape' in the neck, a bit like a snake after a large meal??? Thanks for the update on the location, surprised the Gull would be put off, they are normally quite bold at times .

Cheers

[David Salem]

I don't think Gulls have big crops like raptors. If it were eaten whole, as it was, the food would spoil in the crop as it would need to be pushed down in pieces. It goes right to the stomach I believe.
I know they are deffinity not too concerned about human presence but the area he hunts in is next to the shore and it would put you about 5 feet from the action. He might be cool with it but you would need to shoot with a 24mm lens :) Thanks again.

[Steve Kaluski]

5ft I agree is not ideal, but like the idea of the 24mm, you should see how Bence shoots his Pelicans .

[dankearl]

Killer shot, Dave, one of a kind....

[Gabriela Plesea]

Amazing capture David, I too look forward to more!
And I loved reading the story behind the image, thank you

Warmest regards,

[David Salem]

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the comments.

[Arthur Morris]

Amazing image and an even better story. I have some similar ones. There is a BLUE/GREEN cast on the WHITEs ...

with love, artie