It is interesting how cats and seagulls in Istanbul have long learned to coexist peacefully. At least, I have never once witnessed even the slightest conflict between them.
For example, on the ferry pier in the Beşiktaş district, I came across this scene: seagulls calmly picked up crumbs from the cobblestones, while a ginger cat watched them lazily from just a couple of meters away, tucked into the shade.
Not a trace of hunting instinct. It is a completely different story at my place — my own cat would rather skip meals than miss a chance to stalk birds. Tits, sparrows, pigeons — he goes after them all. Even squirrels in the park are not safe when we take our occasional walks together.
Here, though, there is no rush, no fuss. He simply exists — as part of the city’s rhythm, a local who knows full well that food will come one way or another. He wandered nearby, sniffed something, then settled back into the shade.
The seagulls did not even glance his way.
Greetings from Istanbul’s unflappable seagulls and that ginger cat!
Thank you so much for stopping by my blog!
Istanbul, Türkiye.
July, 2025.
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