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 walking among Brine Flies, Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, UtahCalifornia Gull walking among Brine Flies

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 adult running after Brine Flies on the shoreline of the Great Salt Lake, Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, UtahCalifornia Gull adult running after Brine Flies on the shoreline of the Great Salt Lake

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 racing after brine flies on the shore of the Great Salt Lake, Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, UtahCalifornia Gull racing after brine flies on the shore of the Great Salt Lake

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

Adult California Gull scooping up Brine Flies on the shore of the Great Salt Lake, Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, UtahAdult California Gull scooping up Brine Flies on the shore of the Great Salt Lake, Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, Utah

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

California Gull feeding on Brine Flies in September, Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, UtahCalifornia Gull feeding on Brine Flies in September

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 slowing down on the shore of the Great Salt Lake, Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, UtahCalifornia Gull feeding on Brine Flies 6

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

Adult California Gull and Brine Flies at the Great Salt Lake, Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, UtahAdult California Gull and Brine Flies at the Great Salt Lake

And come to a stop.

Adult California Gull chasing Brine Flies on the shore, Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, UtahAdult California Gull chasing Brine Flies on the shore

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 gobbling up Brine Flies at the Great Salt Lake, Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, UtahCalifornia Gull gobbling up Brine Flies at the Great Salt Lake

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

California Gull with a bill full of Brine Flies, Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, UtahCalifornia Gull with a bill full of Brine Flies

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.