This was the spark--this endearing character who affectionately fluttered into my mind's eye one day just around the holidays.  I blamed his impish expression on too much spiked eggnog. He seemed rather too satisfied with himself. He needs a dose of humility, I believe.

In Prototype #2, his demure expression could be mistaken for embarrassment about the unfortunate mishap known as "feet."   Or he might just be missing the feeling of sand between his webbed toes.  Wait!  I can fix that!  I'll give him a salty wave-washed beach (and I promise his bony little bird feet will never, never be seen again).  Plus, his necktie seems a bit too stuffy for his dynamic personality.  We'll fix that, too, and give him a lovable mo-jo to compliment his forthcoming neckware!  

Yes...yes.  This bow tie is a bit more suited to a dignified bird who can set aside daily urgency in order to ponder his surroundings, his feathered universe.  Ok, maybe just his stretch of the beach. Fortunately, however, his feet are now safely obscured by some forgiving beach real estate. It is difficult to know how deep his thoughts are.  But the artist assumes he is contemplating the still unfortunate miniature stature of his bow-tie. 

The plot thickens as Bow-Tie Gull now ponders both the insufficient scale of his bow-tie and whether an accoutrement is necessary to enhance his increasingly dapper personality.  Ahhh...embellishments are a tricky thing and can get out of hand so quickly.

It seemed only fair to provide Bow-Tie Gull with the accoutrements of civilized bird life. This one shaken, not stirred.

It suits him, I think, by the look of refined consideration in his eye.  His bow-tie is gaining stature!  And besides masking his chicken-like feet in the ocean tide, you'll also never see both eyes at the same time, as demure glances rather than direct gazes are more to his nonconfrontational liking.  He is a mystery, wrapped in a quandry, surrounded by a paradigm.

Well established as an iconic and upstanding member of the ocean bird community, Bow-Tie Gull has nevertheless allowed himself to get in a bit of a pinch.  Too debonair to rudely shake it off, Bow-Tie Gull will instead attempt to calm his ruffled feathers and tolerate the insurgent who has interrupted his afternoon ponderings until the scoundrel tires of hanging around.

Meaning comes in many forms.  For Bow-Tie Gull, the purpose of life sometimes becomes quite apparent at the bottom of a martini glass.  But today he seeks confirmation of life at the end of a hook.  No doubt this odyssey will end happily for at least one of our friends.

Distancing oneself from the flock can sometimes be satisfying.  Here, however, in his effort to raise the bar on personal grooming, Bow-Tie Gull has blown us away with an episode of overzealous primping.  Humidity sucks, right Bow-Tie Gull?

Even dignity finds comfort in moments of frivolity.  On this breezy beach day, Bow-Tie Gull has set aside his lofty ponderings to consider the playfulness of a kite with a tail almost as dapper as he is.  

Bow-Tie Gull is feeling a bit crabby today after chancing upon an imposter who is attempting to step upon Bow-Tie Gull's dapper persona.  The disgust on Bow-Tie Gull's face is countered by the impish expression of his unwelcome copycat visitor.

We can't all handle our liquor, and Bow-Tie Gull is having one of those days.  His five-o'clock shadow is telling for a bird who is seldom seen unkempt.  Alas, his indulgence has made him forget to sink his chicken feet into the sand.  The artist humbly apologizes on Bow-Tie Gull's behalf....

As Bow-Tie Gull sees it, life at the top of the food chain can be a serious, contemplative affair.  One wonders if he has the nerve to stick it to the fish.

Bow-Tie Gull is about to learn that having ALL of the information can be a game changer.  He may also have benefitted from that old adage, "Don't stick your nose where it doesn't belong." 

Or perhaps the one that goes, "Curiosity killed the....," well, you get the idea.

That "just out of bed look" isn't always endearing, and apparently not everyone can pull it off.  Time for a trim, Bow-Tie Gull. 

Anything biting today, Bow-Tie Gull?  You look pretty fly in your bait n'tackle gear, but your line seems a little slack.

Mr. Gull has suddenly come across some loose change.  The artist inquires on Bow-Tie Gull's behalf:  does anyone have two starfish for a sand dollar? 

Bow-Tie Gull shares an endearing moment as a youthful admirer absorbs his practiced stature and poise.  No doubt this progeny also aspires to the mindful far-away gaze that is required for deep surf-side ponderings.  Regal humility is a tough catch. Don't give up little stilts guy.

Our dapper friend has found a, well, dapper friend.  Word has it they've been spotted spending time together surf-side, and their admiring gazes are rather telling....  Those matching red adornments may herald a special friendship. Do tell, Mr. Bow-Tie Gull, will it be golf or tennis on the beach today? 

A day spent on putting greens and tennis courts can no doubt elevate the appetite, and Mr. Gull is quite enthusiastic in his culinary pursuits today.  His fork at the ready, surely he will be searching in the right direction.