23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Wildlife
two seagulls perched on a rock in front of the ocean

I was taking pictures of the seagulls at the beach when I noticed this pair. I was intrigued by their mostly-identical stances, only broken by one of the seagulls standing on one leg. Nothing appeared wrong with the leg that was tucked against its body; maybe the seagull just found the position comfortable. It remained in this stance for twenty minutes.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 08.2025
Date Uploaded: 11.2025
Photo Location: Avila Beach, California, United States of America
Camera: NIKON D40X
Copyright: © Sydne Aguilar