Hello, friends! On my old site I published many presets for Lightroom. But now the old site is no longer working. And I decided to duplicate here all the presets that you liked so much.
Fade Films Lightroom Preset
Today I am posting a set of presets for free access. And since I used a photo of seagulls as an example, which I took while in Romania a few years ago, I decided to accompany this entry with interesting facts about the life of these birds, which many people consider to be ordinary inhabitants of the coastline.
The Secret Lives of Seagulls: Extraordinary Facts You’ve Never Heard Before
Seagulls are among the most photographed birds in the world. Their effortless flight, striking silhouettes against sunsets, and interactions with human environments make them a favorite subject for photographers. Yet, behind their familiar cries and coastal presence lies a world of surprising, little-known behaviors that reveal just how intelligent and adaptable these birds really are.
Whether you’re a wildlife photographer seeking inspiration, an AI enthusiast looking for unique datasets, or simply a lover of nature’s wonders, these rare insights into seagull life will change the way you see them forever.
- Seagulls Can Drink Seawater
Unlike many animals, seagulls thrive by the ocean because they can safely drink saltwater. Special salt glands above their eyes filter out excess salt, which then drips from their nostrils. This adaptation allows them to survive in environments where fresh water is scarce — a fascinating detail for photographers capturing their coastal habitats.
- They Use Tools to Access Food
Seagulls have been observed dropping clams and crabs from the air onto rocks to crack them open — a clear sign of problem-solving skills. Capturing such moments requires patience, but these images tell powerful stories of animal intelligence.
- The “Rain Dance” That Tricks Earthworms
Some gulls perform a peculiar behavior known as the “rain dance” — tapping their feet rapidly on the ground to mimic the vibrations of rain. This lures earthworms to the surface, offering a unique spectacle for macro or behavioral photography.
- They Practice Kleptoparasitism
Seagulls are bold opportunists, often stealing fish mid-air from other birds. This thrilling display of aerial agility is perfect for high-speed photography — but also highlights their resourcefulness as survivors.
- Urban Adaptation: Crossing Streets at Green Lights
In cities, gulls have adapted to human life so well that some have been recorded waiting for pedestrian lights to turn green before crossing streets to reach food scraps. A stunning example of how wildlife can adapt to urban environments.
- Every Seagull Has a Unique Voice
In massive breeding colonies, chaos reigns — yet parents always find their chicks. Each gull has a distinct call that acts like a vocal fingerprint, a feature that could inspire AI-based sound recognition projects in wildlife studies.
- They Can Live Up to 40 Years
While we often view them as common, even “ordinary” birds, many gull species can live three to four decades in the wild — a testament to their resilience and adaptability.
- Social “Courts” in Seagull Colonies
Researchers have documented gatherings where gulls seemingly punish misbehaving individuals, such as those attacking neighboring chicks. These collective “trials” reflect surprisingly complex social structures among birds.
- Communication Through Touch and Symbols
Beyond calls, seagulls use gestures to communicate. Chicks peck at a red spot on their parent’s beak to request food — a behavior so ingrained that even artificial beak models trigger it.
- Learning Directly From Humans
Urban seagulls are keen observers of human behavior. Studies show they are more likely to steal food when humans are distracted and often ignore food that people show no interest in. For street photographers, this creates dynamic opportunities for documenting wildlife-human interactions.
- Adoption of Orphaned Chicks
Some gulls accept and raise unrelated chicks, showcasing an unexpected level of empathy in the animal kingdom. Such stories add depth to wildlife photography narratives.
- Rapid Colony-Wide Warning Systems
A single alarm call can trigger an instant wave of alerts across a colony, with each bird passing along the message. These sounds contain specific information about the type of threat — a remarkable parallel to human early-warning systems.
- Using Bait to Catch Fish
There are documented cases of gulls dropping bread or debris into water to lure fish, demonstrating tool use — a trait once thought to be uniquely human.
- Lifelong Partnerships Cemented by Rituals
Many seagulls are monogamous for decades, maintaining bonds through synchronized calls and displays. Capturing these tender moments reveals the romantic side of these often-misunderstood birds.
- Recognizing Human Faces
Recent studies prove that gulls can distinguish individual human faces, remembering both those who fed them and those who threatened them. This deepens our understanding of avian intelligence and challenges how we view their interactions with humans.
Conclusion: Why Seagulls Deserve a Second Look
Far from being “just noisy beach birds,” seagulls are intelligent, resourceful, and socially complex animals. For photographers, they present endless opportunities — from behavior-rich action shots to emotional storytelling moments. For AI researchers, they offer a fascinating subject for exploring animal cognition and human-wildlife interaction.
Next time you see a seagull perched on a lamppost or soaring above the sea, remember: you’re looking at one of nature’s most adaptive and intriguing creatures.
