Herring Gulls

Herring Gulls are thick as thieves in Maine. When I first moved there I wondered why we called them "herring" gulls? Why not, oh, something like "gray-backed gull", something more descriptive of their appearance?

I found out during the Herring run just how these gulls got their name - be warned, these pics are not for the fait-of-heart (or stomach).

This Herring Gull just caught a herring.

And yes, the gull is consuming the herring whole...

These gull certainly love their fish VERY fresh!