Doug and Tweets -

This parallels what I have seen several times with Glaucous-winged Gulls
at a number of locations including Ocean Shores, the Fauntelor ferry
dock and elsewhere.

The first time I saw one with a starfish stuffed in its mouth it was
looking very uncomfortable and my first reaction was that it was a
goner. It had two arms down its gullet and over time got the whole
critter down. As I watched it seemed like the gull would "relax" and
become motionless. After a few minutes the starfish would also "relax"
and the gull would quickly gulp and get it further down. Soon two arms
were left out and then the whole thing was gone with a humongous bulge
in the gull's neck. Each time since the scenario has been the same - it
seems to be standard procedure. Agree - the gull stands in one place for
a long time afterward.

Brian H. Bell
Woodinville WA
bellasoc at isomedia.com
www.peregrinenorthwest.com