Last Saturday, while waiting for the bus that would take me home, I watched a sort of “dance of the letters” performed by the seagulls. That inspired me to share this with you in this 293rd edition of #SMaP
On the roof of the Astoria in Coimbra (Portugal)—one of the city’s oldest and most prestigious hotels—I had the pleasure of witnessing a spectacle of nature. A flock of seagulls was jostling for the letters of the hotel’s illuminated sign.
These seagulls are very common in the area; they seek rest and panoramic views from high vantage points on rooftops, right here by the Mondego River, where they find part of their food.
There are several species of seagulls, and to ensure the information is accurate, I consulted the AI for clarification. Based on one of the images the AI analyzed—the one I’m going to submit to the contest—since it’s a young seagull, ChatGPT suggests two possibilities: either it’s a yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis) or a black-winged gull (Larus fuscus). But it leans more toward the yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis).
When young, these gulls are very similar in plumage. Gemini, on the other hand, is certain that it is a yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis). Although both species may be present here, especially in the photos where they appear in a group (among the letters).
There are only two letters available to land on.
Which letter did you choose, the T or the I?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Class | Birds |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae |
| Probable species | Yellow-legged Gull |
| Scientific name | Larus michahellis |
| Adult length | About 52–68 cm |
| Weight | It can range from 600 g to 1.1 kg, although it varies |
| Longevity | It could be more than 20 years |
| Map | XPLpic |