Most of the animals I post pictures of here are rare, endangered, or otherwise impressive, but I shouldn't be too quick to shun local, common wildlife. This photograph is of a laughing gull (Larus atricilla) taken at Cape May, NJ, although you can find them just about anywhere that there's a free meal. These birds are generally a little more skittish than herring gulls, though; the larger herring gulls are not shy about trying to steal chicken strips or other morsels out of your hand if you're not guarded about your fast food in their presence.