Adult California Gull chasing brine flies next to the Great Salt Lake – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The state bird of Utah is the California Gull and Utah could lose them without action being taken on the climate crisis we are experiencing. Some people might say “so what?” because of their bias against all gulls or they might say “who cares, they are just birds” because they simply don’t or won’t grasp the concept that what is good for birds is also good for us as human beings.
Of course there are also the climate deniers who say that climate change is a “Chinese Hoax” and those people would be wrong. Flat. Out. Wrong.
Science proves otherwise. I stand with science and will not align myself with uneducated buffoons who call it a “Chinese Hoax” when it comes to the future of birds, nature and our planet.
California Gull flying over an icy pond – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/5000, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
From Audubon:
“Despite being an adaptable scavenger, the California Gull will virtually disappear from Utah as desertification intensifies in the southwest. Instead, the species will make its way towards the coast, looking for fish and landfills to stuff its belly. The only remaining hope Utah has of seeing the gull in the future is likely in winter.”
If no action is taken on our climate crisis 98% of California Gull summer range in Utah will be lost and 72% of their winter range here will be gone too.
Why is it so hard for some people to understand that we need to take care of this planet now. To take action on the climate crisis today?
Ah, Mia, it is just a bird. No, it isn’t just a bird. Because California Gulls aren’t the only birds at risk of disappearing from the skies, shorelines and waters of Utah. Because the web of life is connected what happens to one species affects them all including human beings.
Standing up for nature is fighting for our lives. It really is as simple as that.
Mia
Click here to see more of my California Gull photos plus facts and information about this species.
Add me to those who are with you. Conservatively speaking about 100000 per cent.
Did you see the report on the pelican count at Gunnison Island this year when they banded the juveniles? The last few years there have been 500 pelicans raised on the island. This year only 75. Lower level of water in the Great Salt Lake have allowed a land bridge to form and predators have access to the nests.
🙁 April, I had not heard about the pelicans and the low number of chicks raised on Gunnison Island this year. I am sick.
As the Lakota say, “Mitakuye Oyasin.” (All my relations). Thank you, Mia.
I heartily agree with you, Mia! I’m in CA and relatively close to the water, so I see flocks of them going by all the time as they head to the schools to “clean up” after our kids. Even though walking through campus could be risky with overhead “bombs” ready to drop any second, I still think they’re remarkable and beautiful birds — ravens and crows too.
I’m with you completely!
I get so agitated with what is going on in our present government, I watch much less news this summer, on purpose! It makes for a happier man and soulmate.
“Standing up for nature IS fighting for our lives.” ✅💙👍
Your post reminded me of a movie when I was a little girl. So I had to google. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seagull_Monument
Jo, I didn’t address that in my post. The reason for not addressing this because there are some people that say it never happened and some that say it did I am not sure which one is accurate. If I had to guess I would say it never happened
Interesting account……and then to build the gulls a monument….AND……making the gull the state bird of Utah!!! Amazing…