Interview with Seagulls at Sunrise in Cariño
I didn't think when I woke up that morning that I would experience such a familiar connection with nature, or at least I had never imagined it that way. I woke up very early to prepare the photographic equipment to capture a good sunrise at the Mirador del Pósito in Cariño taking advantage of the clear skies, hoping to get a good snapshot of the Punta da Gabeira. After a good "café de pota" in an overflowing cup, I headed for the viewpoint.
Podito’s viewpoint - Cariño - JayLorenzo
It was 06:45 or so when I arrived, after another half an hour of framing, measuring and test shots, I had everything ready so, I just needed to wait for the right moment to shoot.
A few minutes later, I noticed two seagulls were circling in front of my camera for a while. It then occurred to me to raise my arm and wave it in salute, not suspecting what was about to happen. I couldn't get over my astonishment as I watched them descend and approach me, perching on the balcony of the veranda. They seemed a little shy at first, and perhaps I was too, but it was "an honour" for me to have closer contact with those birds so, I set about striking up a conversation with them.
It was a most interesting conversation in which they told me all sorts of stories about their lives, from the challenges of building a nest in the bell tower to the dangers they face in finding food in winter.
I was so captivated by the experience that I almost forgot to photograph the sunrise!
Jay: -Hello, good morning! How are you?
Seagulls: -So far so good.
Jay: - My name is Jay. I'm photographing the 'Punta da Gabeira' so that everybody can see how beautiful Ortegal is. What's your name?
Seagulls: -My name is Carmiña.
-I'm Maruxa!
Jay: -Carmiña and Maruxa, very nice to meet you! Have you always been friends or maybe did you meet here in the village?
Carmiña: -Yes, I have lived in this village all my lifetime. My parents were from Cudillero. They arrived at Cariño scouting a fishing boat that was coming back from the season so, they stayed there. Then, I was born and grew up on a rooftop in Puerta de la Pulida Place. Now, I am married and the mother of two children. The youngest one has started at the school and she is all ready to go on her own...
Jay: -Wow!
Carmiña: -... yes, and the older one is already going to High School.
Jay: -Is he in secondary education?
Carmiña: -He wants to be a nest engineer. When he will earn the qualifications he will build a nest for me over the bell tower.
Jay: -Sounds good!
Carmiña: -The what?
Jay: -The bell tower, I mean, that sounds good! Isn't it? By the way, Carmiña, tell your son not to even think about building a nest in the lightning rod.
Carmiña: - Let me see! When he gets an idea in his head
Jay: -And you, Maruxa, are you also from the village?
Maruxa: -Oh, no, I'm from Cedeira! I fell in love with a seagull from Cariño. We've been together for about four years. We have a little girl who goes to high school in the same classroom as Carmiña's son.
Jay: -Does she want to be an engineer too?
Maruxa: -No, she doesn't! She wants to be a chef!!!
Jay: -Ex-cuse-meeee? A seagull wants to be a chef? What kind of idea do you think could have led a seagull to dream of being a chef one day?
Carmiña: -She likes sushi.
Jay: -Of course! What an idiot I am. So, tell me, how is the life of a seagull here in Ortegal?
Carmiña:-Very hectic! The life of a seagull in Ortegal is very hectic!
Jay: -Very hectic, why?
Carmiña: -Well, imagine. To fly, you must flap your wings, don't you? That's why the life of a seagull in Ortegal is 'very hectic'.
Jay: -Wait a second. That was a seagull joke, wasn't it?
Seagulls: - Hehehe...! Hehehe...!
Carmiña: -No way, I'm serious. Every day, when we wake up, we begin hearing about the bad & sad news. Inflation doesn't seem like that, but it's noticeable in our lives. Now there is less food than before. Also, there is the problem of pollution. Many people throw everything into the sea then, what happens happens. My friend Puri's husband used to go to the sea, like all the seagulls around here, and one day some plastics got tangled around his neck and he got trapped. There was no way to rescue him. We fed him for two days but in the end, the poor guy died. He left behind a widow and three chicks. That's the way things are. Oh, and another thing. Lately, it has been dangerous for us to go ashore here in the village. We must be careful of gliding down to a height below the first floor.
Jay: -Why?
Carmiña: - Oh, it would be strange that we don't get jumped by a neighbour's cat, and if the cat catches you, it's all over!
Jay: - Well, I couldn't imagine a seagull's life was that complicated.
Carmiña: -Yes, baby, yes. I don't know what will happen to us if it goes on like this...
Jay: -While we're having this conversation, if you need help, I could talk to the neighbours to see what we could do.
Maruxa: -Well, now that you mention it, tell those who have a roof or terrace to bring up some of the leftovers they give to the cats, hey! At least when the kids back from school they will have something to put in their mouths as they're at the right age to grow up!
Jay: -I'll make a note of it. Can I help you with anything else?
Maruxa:-The plastics! Please remind them about the plastics!
Jay: -All right, Maruxa... Count on me to deliver that message.
Maruxa: -...
Jay: -Would you like perhaps to send any advice to all the Ortegans and visitors to Ortegal?
Carmiña: - Of course enjoy nature, appreciate the views from the viewpoints of Ortegal and never forget to look up to the sky to contemplate its beauty!
Jay: - The sky is beautiful! Not as beautiful as you girls, though. It was a pleasure to meet you and talk at the Mirador del Pósito. I liked you a lot!
Carmiña: - We liked you too! Do you come here often?
Jay: -Sometimes! However, I also like to go to the Basteira beach.
Carmiña: - Well, let's see if we see each other there one of these days!
Jay: -If you see me, say hello! It's harder for me to recognise you!
Maruxa: -Lol. Ok, ok!
Jay: - Bye girls!
Seagulls: - Bye!
