Wednesday, May 25, 2011

No Laughing Matter

Laughing Gull, Folly Beach, SC  © Doug Hickok


There is not a dull gull on Folly Beach these days. Laughing gulls in particular are riotously noisy and seemingly ubiquitous. They frequent the pier, the beach, the parking lots, the areas behind restaurants, and of course, the skies. They are especially eager for handouts, as this handsome bird was. Although I had nothing to give, I tried making-up for my lack of charity by encouraging the gull to laugh at some of my jokes. I tried knock-knock jokes, rim shot one-liners, puns, and even tried my best blue-footed boobie imitation. Not surprisingly, all my attempts at jokes fell flat. The only response I got from the gull was a quiet, curious look, as if to say, "This guy is a looney bird".


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35 comments:

  1. UnknownMay 25, 2011 at 12:48 AM

    Definitively if the the animals tell us what they think of us ..., . beautiful photography.
    Greetings.

    Nice definition,nice shot.

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  2. fabrizioMay 25, 2011 at 1:42 AM

    incredible Doug!!! this is a perfect photo really wonderful in sharpness and vivid colors

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  3. ChristopherMay 25, 2011 at 2:03 AM

    I can just see him cocking his head at your antics. Beautiful crisp color on this handsome devil--great shot Doug

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  4. AnonymousMay 25, 2011 at 2:32 AM

    Excellent image of the gull, I like the bright colors. Here doves are too much.

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  5. Traveling HawkMay 25, 2011 at 2:51 AM

    Superb image, Doug! It makes me wonder why do I still have a camera?!

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  6. saverio otrantoMay 25, 2011 at 3:01 AM

    great portrait

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  7. AnonymousMay 25, 2011 at 3:15 AM

    Sharp as a razor!
    Perfect!

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  8. yzMay 25, 2011 at 3:16 AM

    what a fantastic portrait, great posing

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  9. GinnieMay 25, 2011 at 4:39 AM

    HAHAHAHAHAHA! I love your sense of humor, Doug. After all of that, he gave you a text-book shot. I love it. :)

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  10. VPMay 25, 2011 at 5:28 AM

    Amazing 'portrait' of a very elegant gull!

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  11. Marie LCMay 25, 2011 at 6:07 AM

    Oh ! Oh ! very nice portrait of gull. She really seems to pose for you.

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  12. Cezar and LéiaMay 25, 2011 at 6:53 AM

    This seagull looks so happy! I think it's the moment of be "famous"posing for your camera! :)
    Wonderful portrait!
    Léia

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  13. brattcatMay 25, 2011 at 7:01 AM

    or perhaps "crazy as a loon." great shot, doug.

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  14. ChelseaMay 25, 2011 at 9:07 AM

    you are awesome!

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  15. Martina EgliMay 25, 2011 at 9:09 AM

    What an apt title to this excellent image! Love the pose of the seagull, it is really looking at you.

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  16. donMay 25, 2011 at 10:38 AM

    Very funny comment to accompany this fine close up. Wonderful detail and such rich colors. A fine catch!

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  17. danouMay 25, 2011 at 11:06 AM

    stunnig catch and bird , fantastic details and colors !!!!!

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  18. georgeMay 25, 2011 at 11:21 AM

    You could have tried flying Doug, flapping your arms might have encouraged a wry smile...a wonderfully detailed shot though.

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  19. OKMay 25, 2011 at 12:52 PM

    excellent bird capture, the vibrancy of the red on the beak is nice.

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  20. BrandNewStudioMay 25, 2011 at 1:35 PM

    It’s always a pleasure
    to see such a Wonderful Work
    good creations

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  21. HarryMay 25, 2011 at 1:58 PM

    Excellent close-up with a nicely placed horizon. He does look about to break out in laughter.

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  22. john4jackMay 25, 2011 at 3:16 PM

    very nice. fine specular light in the eye

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  23. UnknownMay 25, 2011 at 3:45 PM

    Superb, exellent close-up! Like it :-)

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  24. AlexandraMay 25, 2011 at 3:48 PM

    Fantastic capture, he's even posing for the camera! Truly a keeper and one of my favs!

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  25. FriedaMay 25, 2011 at 4:32 PM

    Superb. What a beauty!
    I like the sceptical expression of this bird (he really doesn't seem to be a friend of jokes)

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  26. London CallerMay 25, 2011 at 5:14 PM

    What a handsome little chap!
    His eyes look like puffin eyes. :)
    Don't you think so?

    We don't have laughing gulls in Britain.
    We do have Mediterranean gulls though.
    They look a bit like laughing gulls.

    Sharp image, strong colours!

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  27. chaoticfancyMay 26, 2011 at 4:24 AM

    simply majestic!

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  28. AnonymousMay 26, 2011 at 6:10 AM

    A magnificent pose. It must have been feeling generous.

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  29. JoeMay 26, 2011 at 7:28 AM

    Wow! that just knocked my socks off. Fantastic image.

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  30. NR | ExPla.netMay 26, 2011 at 7:44 AM

    love the piece, I'm sure gulls are just dull and they don't take too kindly to jokes anyway :). extremely sharp image, excellent!

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  31. RobMay 26, 2011 at 10:18 AM

    Handsome bird, stunning image1

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  32. LúciaMay 26, 2011 at 11:37 AM

    That was fun! ;-)
    Beautiful gull, we don't have this kind around here.

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  33. Donato (longroute)May 26, 2011 at 12:18 PM

    So close... so cute!
    wonderful portrait, full of verve, life and light.
    and with such enviable clarity!
    Well captured!

    Donato

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  34. FrankMay 27, 2011 at 7:42 AM

    A beautiful bird. Well done!

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  35. MartinaJJune 1, 2011 at 8:18 PM

    I just posted a few pictures of this bird on my blog. I could not remember the name of the birds. Now I know. This is a perfect picture, looks like a painting!

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