©Jacinthe Sasson-Yenor
November 7, 2022
Unexpected Guest
- as seen by -
Jacinthe Sasson-Yenor
Drizzly days may not be the most popular for visiting the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo, but they are some of my favorites for getting a quiet moment with the animals. One rainy afternoon, as I approached the sea lion pool on Astor Court, I noticed that I wasn’t the only one there — a herring gull (Larus argentatus) was perched on the railing. Herring gulls live in the New York City area year-round, and I most often see them in groups soaring above the beach or parking lots as they search for food.
This lone herring gull, watching the California sea lions, seemed to me like another zoo visitor. It even let me approach to take a photo, sparing me only a sideways glance before returning its attention to the swimming and barking sea lions. Maybe it was waiting for the sea lion feeding, in hopes of grabbing some leftovers, or maybe, like me, it was enjoying a quiet day at the zoo.
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