Feathered Friends in the Black Sea

The summer arrived early this year. Last Sunday we have temperature records in some places over 30°C (86°F). Couple of days ago I was still wearing my coat and now - T-shirt weather. Last of March was great for walk and walk I did, but I will leave that for tomorrow's post. Now I will return a week ago when I met the pelican. It was also warm and pleasant day and after I spent some time watching the big bird I moved along the beach in search of more feathered friends. To my delight there were still few swans in the sea.

Here is one of them, paddling in the water, his long neck casting shadow on his back.

Since male and female swans are almost identical, I cannot tell for certain if this one is a male. Except for being larger, male swan has bigger knob on his forehead.

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Speaking about the sexual dimorphism, I'd like to remind you that this week the prompt for #SMaP (Show me a photo Contest in Feathered Friends Community) is Male Bird. Check the link for more information.

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The couple was moving further from me and I decided to keep on walking.

Pigeons invading the beach. You may think they prefer parks, but they are comfortable everywhere. Casually walk on the wet sand or pecking and feeding on whatever they find.

Something caught my eye, but too far to focus well.

Let's zoom and find out what these two are.

Even not so sharp, these are my first photos of grebe.

The seagulls are constantly there and I love to photograph them in flight.

I

Black-headed gull.
This is something I haven't seen before, the actual black head of the gull.

Although they are called black-headed, in winter the plumage on the head is white with only black spot on both sides of the head. The colour changed in summer and then they are gone. I've seen them before only in winter.

And here is a photo from December for comparison. See, no black heads.

Another feathered friend I knew I will spot - the cormorant.

The cormorant was not alone. A seagull shared that spot in the sea not far from the shore.

And reaching the end of my post I will leave you with another swan.

And that was my short expedition on the beach. Lots of feathered friends to meet there and combined with the sunny weather, one cannot wish for more.

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