Snowstorm gulling at Quidi Vidi

The forecast snowstorm did happen. And it was certainly an experience. Just as we got up, snow started falling heavily and the brisk wind made visibility really poor. An attempt to drive up to Quidi Vidi Lake was aborted within 100 metres of the hotel, with the car sliding about a bit too much for my liking. So it was ditched, and we walked there on foot. No other people about, and just a couple of 4x4's on the road. Lovely!

We managed to find a relatively sheltered spot at Rennies River, where the resident duck population looked suitably annoyed with life. The hardy buggers that they are, the gulls seemed a lot more active and sure they were when the bread got hurled out. Just the usuals of course, American Herring Gulls and Kumlien's Gulls but it was better than sitting in the hotel for the day.

adult Kumlien's Gull Quidi Vidi Lake, St.John's, Newfoundland 14th February 2017

adult Kumlien's Gull Quidi Vidi Lake, St.John's, Newfoundland 14th February 2017

juvenile Kumlien's Gull Quidi Vidi Lake, St.John's, Newfoundland 14th February 2017

juvenile Kumlien's Gull Quidi Vidi Lake, St.John's, Newfoundland 14th February 2017

juvenile Kumlien's Gull Quidi Vidi Lake, St.John's, Newfoundland 14th February 2017

adult Kumlien's Gull Quidi Vidi Lake, St.John's, Newfoundland 14th February 2017

adult American Herring Gull Quidi Vidi Lake, St.John's, Newfoundland 14th February 2017

1st-winter American Herring Gull Quidi Vidi Lake, St.John's, Newfoundland 14th February 2017

Walking around to the northeast side of the lake in a blizzard was a bit raw, but we were greeted by a few Glaucous Gulls and the single adult Ring-billed Gull at the Virginia River outflow.

juvenile Glaucous Gulls Quidi Vidi Lake, St.John's, Newfoundland 14th February 2017

Here the snow intensified, and though the odd Song Sparrow and Dark-eyed Junco seemed happy enough scrubbing about in the brutal conditions, I had had enough. And so by mid afternoon it was back to the hotel for a bit of relaxation and thawing out.

The typical Quidi Vidi Lake larids - hardier than me today!