Today I share an interesting observation. One which surprised me. And as often is the case, one we can learn from.

Seagulls are a bird often known to be super scavengers. They have even been seen grabbing a French fry as someone was lifting to eat it. Quite bold! What they aren't known for is their amazing hunting skills. They are super hunters with fine fishing abilities. Once on a beach I watched a Gull rise up 6 feet into the air and dive straight down as fast as it could into the water. It must have dove at least a few feet under the water. When it came up from the depths it had a large crab pierced on it's beak. He quickly flew to the shore and with great difficulty got the crab unstuck and dropped it on the rocks. A fine lunch ready to enjoy.   

But my most intriguing encounter so far is one who I will simply call the Sharing Gull.

This was a nice warm gentle day. I was spending it in a pleasant park that runs along the shore in a small quaint coastal town. I was enjoying the warm sun and watching the water for hoping perhaps to see a seal or dolphin who may come in to look about. I didn't see any. But a seagull is what caught my attention. I was watching it paddle about in the cove and suddenly it dove down and caught a nice crab for an afternoon snack. He hopped on shore to eat it. Then went back to paddling about.

A few minutes later it was back again and had another crab for yet another afternoon snack. He was again back on shore to eat it then back to the water. It was really his day I thought. Then a few minutes later yet another crab, and then another one. .... Every ten to fifteen minutes it had another crab to eat. He had this down perfectly. Every dive was a catch. This gull was surely a mighty hunter. So much so, that at some point I was kind of wondering how many crabs it takes to fill a gull. Seemed like an interesting thing to ponder. He must have caught over a dozen while I was watching.
 

What I saw next on this leisure day that had now become focused on watching a mighty diving gull is what surprised me. And I'm sure what I saw would start an argument with most birding experts out there who would be certain I made it up. I noticed a Crow on the shore picking through seaweed looking for something to eat. Crows often do this. One never knows what may be left behind ready to eat as the tide goes out. The gull also noticed the crow. He turned and watched the crow for a few moments. Then the gull turned and hurried at a quicker pace back into the water. I would say it seemed to be traveling 'with purpose'. Like there was now a task at hand.

He quickly was back to where the crabs were. Soon he came up again with yet another crab. He swam down the shore to where the crow was and hopped up on the shore. He set the crab down making sure it was dead. But instead of eating it, he hopped over to the crow. He motioned that there was a crab for him. The crow turned and followed him to the spot. The Crow very joyfully picked up the crab and carried it to higher ground to eat.

The gull looked quite content with his sharing, and happily went back into the water to paddle about looking for more crabs.  
 

A sharing Gull?

This was sure not something anyone would expect. I have seen them bring clams to share with a partner, someone they had the fancy for. And were surely wooing them with fine dinners and such. But the idea of a gull sharing with a crow seemed unique. Something I had not seen before. Both were very happy and content. An interesting example of sharing when we have more than we need, with those who have less.

The Gull had Faith it would surely find more abundance. We likewise can have Faith that tomorrow we will surely be Blessed as well as today, with extra to share. We can learn a lot from the wisdom of the animals and even the curious Seagulls who often steal our French fries.