Stavanger Bay bird brain

In a rare moment of curiosity, Saskia woke to a great urge to explore the territory around her. She wanted to stretch her legs, more or less, and had still not fully adapted to life among the bay wolves. There didn't seem to be many around - but more than likely, they were all still recovering from the passing storm. 

Saskia was most curious about the ocean. She had not lived near a persistent water source such as the sea before. As she trekked along the bay-side, she discovered that traveling across exposed sand was exhausting - it took more work to fight against the piles of sand than to creep along the dry grass. As she was changing direction, she heard a sharp shriek from above - "Aaee! Aaaeee!" - and was promptly dive-bombed by some sort of bird.

The girl ducked and curled her body, wanting to escape but also strike back. The bird swooped down again and again, yet managed to get away from her snaking head as she snapped at its flashing white wings; soon enough an entire flock of gulls was circling above her, and all Saskia could do was run. The sand gave way beneath her toes, and after a few minutes of dedicated marching through the thick reeds and dry stalks, the birds had given up their pursuit.