Wednesday, November 19, 2008

67. ~ Seagulls ~

Not all seagulls see the sea. Some live inland! Seagulls can be found at the seashore, around lakes, and sea-cliffs. They can drink both fresh and salt water. The seagull is the state bird of Utah. There are approximately fifty species. A seagull has a wingspan of more than thirty inches, and some of them have orange webbed feet. I have seen several with only one foot, due to an accident or a fight for survival. They build nests of grass, seaweed and sticks. They can live up to forty or more years in captivity and about a dozen in the wild. The herring gull seems to be most popular of the bunch. Seagulls have long been honoured by the Mormons for saving their crops. In Salt Lake City, the Mormons have erected a giant golden seagull monument. Seagulls have a noisy call and can always be heard around feeding times at least two to three times daily, while they head to the water to dine. Seagulls will drop when they are scared. So, sometimes you will witness an entire flock drop at the same time. Also, seagulls do not fly at night. It is to be noted that seagulls will congregate in one place bringing all members together before they head to the shoreline to eat. Seagulls use the same nest site for a great many years. They are approximately 61 cm in length. When attacking, they will draw their body up, turn out their wrists, and lower their bill. They will aggressively attack anything, or anyone while their babies are nesting. I can testify, this is an experience you won't soon forget. Seagulls are famous for keeping the beaches and shorelines clean by eating up garbage on a daily basis.

Medicine:

Seagull medicine teaches us to be great environmentalists. They remind us to say grace, eat together as a family and be thankful for whatever we have to eat. Seagull medicine reminds us to get our much needed rest each night and to not be picky about where we sleep as long as it is a quiet, private place where others will not bother us.

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