Seagull in Costa Brava

This snapshot of a juvenile seagull I took from about 2 meters distance using my 18-70 mm nikkor lens. I approached her little by little, squatting slowly till the nearest rock. Water was still coming out of her beak so I guess she was still digesting her food. There was a gentle breeze and we were both alone on top of the promontory, people down there in the cove basking under the sun. With scrutinizing eyes she followed my every movement but was too clumsy to fly with her full stomach. I had to stand on my feet with a sudden gesture to make the beautiful bird soar over summer air. Here is the same seagull against the darker background of brown algae accumulated along the rocky shore in Costa Brava.

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Blue Cliff Wildflowers in Costa Brava, Spain

Totally offtopic and out of place, I know, but these blue wildflowers that I spotted on a cliff in Costa Brava are beautiful and beauty always has accomodation in this photoblog. I don't know the name of the plant so finding out the name is your assignment for tomorrow. I like the contrast of the blue petals against the sepia tones of the clay color background of the soil.
*Due to requests and after the kind cooperation of smb who told me these were thistles I found more information in wikipedia with a very similar image that indicates these can be especifically Echinops commonly known as globe thistles. I also have to thank Kate for the advice.

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Secret Cove in L'Escala, Costa Brava, Spain

Walking along the path on one of the promontories in L'Escala beach you have the chance to explore many coves or calas that vary in size. Some are wider and full of people, some are more private and a few are so small that are empty. That's the moment when you have the chance to see nature in a wilder state. I couldn't help thinking of secret adventures, pirates or castaways when I came across this beautiful spot.