On our recent visit to Cape Town, one of my favourite places is Houtbay… There is the greatest little food spot called “Fish on the Rocks” with the British flag flying where ever you look… we won’t hold that against them, as their calamari is to die for….
But Houtbay has a lot of seagulls associated with the area, as it is a big fishing industry harbour… (more photos of that to follow)
Cape Town is well known for its wind… it can blow so hard that a rectum reaction is often felt. These gulls however hover in that wind, not a flapping of the wings, like the experienced pilots they are. They can hang there and take a chip or calamari ring from your hand so gently that you feel you could share the whole packet with them.
Some people do, not I, if they think I fly down from Gauteng to share such tasty calamari with them, they must think again… Go catch your own… This girl fed all hers to them while the boyfriend took photos…
I like to call these next photos – Hovering gulls…
But this photo you just have to love… go on say differently….
The Photographic Journey of bulldog. 
Great photos! But – this post should have come with a BEWARE Of BIRD POOP or don’t look up warning. 😉
Made me laugh again! You have a great imagination.
Brenda
I like the black under thier wings or is that shadow?
Not a shadow, part of the colouring…
Lovely photos, Bulldog. Love the one who needs the loo!
Was down in your part of the world for a very quick trip… had to look at two businesses my son was interested in buying… flew in on the Sunday last and returned on Tuesday… got to Houtbay and the normal places one can reach quickly… saw flamingos at Milnerton but too far to capture a photo of… the Gulls were at Houtbay… but then I’m sure you spotted that from the back ground of the photos…
By the time I get to read your posts, there are normally dozens and dozens of comments which I also love to read. They usually cover everything I was thinking – in this case seagulls = poop and Hitchcock references. I too laughed out loud at the last picture – good one!!
Sorry to hear about your health concerns. Hope it turns out to be minor.
Thanks Joanne… I’m being admitted to hospital next Tuesday and a barrage of tests are to be done – hopefully we will get an answer next week…
You are too funny Bulldog! Love those hovering gulls. When we were in the Outer Banks on a ferry, we had a similar experience. I would not be sharing my calamari with gulls either. 🙂
Thanks LuAnn… the Cape is well known for its fish food as everything is fresh and not frozen, I love the calamari there as it just melts in the mouth, now who would want to share that with the birds… ??? They can catch their own…
hahahaha poor gull, can’t join in the fun.
By the way, the shots of the flying gulls are great.
Thank you..
Awww..the last one is over cute. The flying birds are magnificent, Bulldog. Can look them over and over again. Pawkisses 🙂
Thank you so much…
Great stop action photography!
Thank you Carol…
Magic flying shots, and I love Harry Casual at the bottom!
Thanks Col…
Great pictures! I love the ocean. My favorite time is winter, though. There is just a special difference then in smells, looks, etc.
Sorry about the testing tomorrow. Will keep you in my prayers.
God’s blessings.
Thank you so much… ended having tests today and now go into hospital on Tuesday for more tests… got to get my grove back….
If the calamari are that good I wouldn’t waste them on the seagulls. Fresh calamari, chips, glass of chilled wine or beer, what more could you possibly want.
That is so true Brian.. and fresh Calamari cock right mmmmm nothing better…
WOW! They are amazing, how excited I can imagine dear Rob, you did a great shots, I loved them all, but especially the last one and his standing! Yhank you, love, nia
Thanks Nia…
Hahaha…..love that last one and caption, bulldog. What amazing pics of these hovering Gulls! Loved them all. 🙂
Thanks AD…
Haha…great post for many reasons, not least of all because you mentioned the British flag… 😉 Your hovering seagull shots are excellent, I love the definition of their wings against the scenery in the background. Great captions too, especially that last one. Thanks for the smiles Bulldog 😀
Thanks Sherri… I know the Cape was the last bastion of British support in years gone by, but I thought that had passed by now, obviously not, the Queen is still loved and thought of in the Cape… lol
Good to know that Bulldog… 😀
Brilliant bulldog! The photographs are so clear and sharp, no easy task with birds on the move. That last pic – hilarious! 😀
Thanks Amanda…
Beautiful shots, but what I want to know is did you get pooped on with so many birds flying around?
I didn’t, but the girl feeding them was not so happy with her boyfriend when one of them left a nice big calling card on her shoulder… I could not get a photo of that as she was pretty pissed and I was afraid she might just turn on me as well…
LOL!!! I think you were wise to play it safe :).
I really did laugh out loud at the last pic 🙂 But as great as the other shots are I keep feeling Hitchcock’s The Birds and getting very nervous!
Hitchcock’s birds were black so I felt quite safe…
He also had gulls in his movie like this that attacked by the bay. The infamous scene where Tippi Hendren gets trapped in the phone booth.
Maybe I had my eyes closed for that scene.. lol I was a little boy when I saw the film…
I’m still afraid of gulls circling overhead…and I’ve seen that movie so many times I should know the lines 🙂
Bulldog, these photos are absolutely stunning! It looks so beautiful there and sea air always makes me feel healthier, more energetic, playful, happy, etc… 🙂
Diana xo
Thanks Diana.. it was one of the few occasions that the weather was fairly nice for our short visit, and these birds just played along nicely… I wish I’d felt healthier, not unfortunately, returned to see the Dr. and going into hospital tomorrow for an angiogram… some thing not right with the ticker…
Aww that sucks bulldog! Good luck tomorrow my friend. You’re in my thoughts and prayers.
Diana xo
No longer tomorrow been through all sorts of tests today now its Tuesday into hospital for more tests, they think its blood clots in the lungs… but who knows… certainly not I..
Geez, stay positive – your readers got your back!
Diana xo
What great seagull shots. Love them. That last one brought a big grin with that caption.
And there’s no way I’d be sharing my calamari with them – I just love that stuff (especially when it’s been cooked properly and sooooooo tender. So many people overcook it and make it rubbery).
The calamari at Houtbay comes from the sea to the plate, cooked by experts and merely melts in the mouth… who shares that with the birds,,?? Not I…
I’m L ing OL too.Great pictures.
Thanks Anneli… just came and stood by me like that… I think you might like a few of the posts coming up from Houtbay where I took photos of all the little fishing vessels that make their living out to sea…
Not sure when they will be posted as I’m off to the hospital again tomorrow…angiogram coming up…
Thought you were going to stay out of hospitals from now on. Looking forward to seeing the posts when you’re feeling fine.
That I was… but maybe I should have kept my mouth shut and this trip would not be necessary… someone is just testing me beyond the norm… we thought the shortness of breathe and lack of energy was from the collapsed lungs… seems we’re wrong…
Well, no mountain climbing for you! Take it easy!
Love it……still smiling 🙂
Good … thanks Ingrid…
Great shot of a seagull needing to pee, Rob! But these are all fantastic (and taken with a very steady hand because they’re so clear!) 😀
Thanks Dianne… the excitement of such captures nearly made the hand shake…
Still laughing 🙂
Good …
WOW!!! It made me think of Hitchcock ;). One of your best posts ever, Rob!
Thanks Paula…
LOLOL…..I love that last shot!!!! Well done, BD!!
Thanks Skye…
Looks great, and I can imagine the seafood really fantastic there. ..and yes I love that last picture😊
Thanks Ute… I love it when the food is from the sea to the plate and not via a deep freeze…