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Life perspectives from a wandering mind

Juvenile California Sea Gulls

An adult sea gull (left) with two juveniles at Carmel River State Beach.

A juvenile California sea gull takes up to four years to take on the white and grey characteristics of an adult that, in turn, may live 30 years unless it eats too many French fries.

What I know about the California sea gull comes from books and personal experience. They are bold and unafraid to swoop down on unattended French fires at an outdoor restaurant, even if people are seated by the food. The darker sea gulls, called juveniles, take around four years to take on the white and grey look of an adult. Four years! Apparently, and this is the part I have trouble believing, they have a life span, if things go right, of 30 years. Outdoor restaurants beware!