Bird Flight of a Black Backed Gull

This bird has huge control in the air, even in prevailing cold wind. It flies over the sea and near by there are at least two more of it's own kind.

It can land and swim in the water and take off from the water if it wants to. While I watch it seems to hover in front of me.

This same bird moves closer to me as if it's watching me with the camera and it doesn't seem worried at all.

Maybe he thinks I have bread to feed it with? It does not lack for food in the Waitamata harbour as there are plenty fish in the sea!

As you can see the bird is in a close position and flies past me in the air. Probably realises by now that I haven't bread to feed it like his other human fans.

The head land you see is the north shore and half Mt Victoria, a dormant volcano.

This bird moves with expertise as it moves it's wings quite slowly. It has a purpose and is watching me and it's surroundings.

I wonder if it's doing me a favour by not speeding up. The wind is quite strong but this bird is a master of flight.

This bird is thinking on the wing. It knows this beach very well. He also knows the identity of it's other bird companions.

As he watches me, he also keeps his distance for some times there are predators like cats that would like a bird for a feed. Im not interested in eating it but he doesn't know that.

In the back ground, Mt Victoria in Devonport across the sea

A decision is being made by the Black Backed gull, I suppose they make decisions all the time on the wing is it about food, another Black Backed Gull or something else.

It must be wonderful to fly 

The bird is now going to land and not far away from me. He has decided I am no threat at all.

He is still wary but doesn't seem to mind me taking photos.

Now it's landed close to me. I suppose he's looking for a companion.

Later on another Black Backed Gull arrives and they fly away together and have a swim in the wind and the rain