Birds of a feather... flock together

The Silver Gull (Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae) also known simply as "seagull" in Australia, is the most common gull seen in Australia. It has been found throughout the continent, but particularly coastal areas

and a very interesting bird to observe....

Have you ever stopped to watch the way a Seagull interacts with the envionment around them?  Always hanging out in a flock, seeking out food scraps and will eat almost anything! Certainly a very interesting species of bird....

Observing the Seagulls while sitting outside the van at the picturesque beach side caravan park at Port Lincoln, I couldn't help notice the way in which the Seagull community appears to live in such radom order, but almost companionship.

Just earlier in the day we were attracted to a great noise coming from outside, while fishing some young kids had hooked a bird in the water and the Gull was flapping frantically trying to free itself from the hook.  The remaining flock joined together in chorus, screeching with a desperate urgency while one of their own was dragged to the shoreline. 

A bird that some would have thought a loner, a  scavenger for food and would fight all others to the death to escape with smallest of morsals, also needs a community for comfort.

Maybe I've just too much spare time on my hands; however in reflection, it is interesting to note the way family members relate to each other.  Alough each member is their own person (bird) the interconection with others in the flock should always remain strong.  As I observe my youngsters growing up together, I see many similarilties to that of the Seagull.

That is..  Effective alone, however even more confident when together as a group.  (and yes, feeding time is not much different to watching Seagull's). 

For me perosnally, I think the interconnection between family members is vital to retain a sense of purpose and direction.  A family needs to be a place for each individual to have a say, feel acceptance and also feel the safety that comes from within the most important community you can belong to.

As we travel along on this journey, my hope is that my children will  developing the committment to family, that they understand what is means to belong to a community and will take with them into their lives a stong understanding of their family roots and traditions.

Who would have beliweved that there is a great deal to learn from a seagull...