The pink-legged gulls are large enough to be formidable predators on animals as large as young birds, and all of them seem to enjoy a trip to the local dump as well.
67 thoughts on “”
well this is very informative post please can you know why some images are not displayed here on your page , i am trying to see but i can't. Is there any problem with my pc or its removed from your site. thanks ..?
Hello Mr Rattray, I was just wondering why you haven't done any new
games of G.L.O.R.Y. Or at least filmed 'em. The idea of the game is great, & the
one you played with Ryan Smith was fantastic & so much fun to watch.
I hadn't thought about it. Maybe it's because the intensity of that game with Smith was enough to last us for a solid couple of years. Might be time to revisit the concept. Cheers!
Hey John, I recently did an illustration of you as a wee skate rat (with a Predatory Bird board) for a New Zealand skate mag called Manual Magazine.
You can check out the illustration here: http://www.andresjensen.com/blog/wee-rat/
Hope you like it, cheers!
Hello Mr Rattray. I was just thinking about the somewhat recent announcement of New Balance joining the skate game through partnership with Black Box Dist. I began to wonder who they had set up for the team, then I remembered you were associated with Black Box as well. Then I remembered you are currently without a shoe sponsor. I hope you see where I am going with this. Would you happen to be part of this new team that will emerge in the skate community in the near future? Much appreciated
Hey John, I was just wondering if you'd be
able to post a link to that Terminator song you put
up a while back (I'll be back?). I've had the song stuck in my head for
a good while now and haven't been able to locate it anywhere. Much appreciation.
Hey John,
you might remember me as the dude that tagged you on that picture of a Sea Eagle a way back on Instagram, maybe?!
Anyway, I've not long ago started at University as a mature student, studying Film and New Media. One of the modules is Media and Culture Studies and I have an essay coming up that I'd like to use Skateboarding and the importance of Media (Video/Text/Photo) and the effects (positive/negative) is has upon the scene and Skateboarding as a whole. (I havent worked out exactly what the method will be yet but something along those lines)
If I can put together a few (maybe 4 or 5) questions would you be interested in giving you opinions?
No pressure, but it would be nice to be able to source someone like your self in my essay being as your Pro and in the know so to speak.
No bother if your not up for it, but shy bairns get nowt.
Cheers,
Anth. (mcarrnage)
I hope you're well. I've been following the Predatory Bird blog for a while and I always enjoy seeing what you post. I really liked the Storytime part 1 video you put up the other week, and nobody can dance on a river like you can.
I thought I'd drop you a line to let you know about a zine I wrote and photographed a while ago. It's a photo-essay about skateboarding philosophy, which examines how, through the use of a skateboard, urban architecture can become a playground of infinite possibilities. Its readable online at http://cargocollective.com/bengore/Concrete-Canva… if you're interested.
Anyway keep doing radical skateboard manoeuvres and I look forward to seeing whatever it is you're working on at the moment.
As a fellow Scottish woodpusher now living in North America you and more recently your bloggings have been a constant source of interest and inspiration.
I do my best to write things about skateboarding myself and the wide ranging cast of characters and connected interests that exist within it. I have been self publishing a zine up in Ottawa, and I try to get as many copies back across the pond as I can.
My reasons for contacting you are twofold…
firstly: I was wondering if I could ask you a few questions about this very blog and your own musings for our next issue.
secondly: I am trying to get another little thing going for the folks over at Jenkem and the nature of it brought yourself to mind.
You can contact me at mudozine@gmail.com and I can maybe give you a little run down if its something that might interest you.
Also that backside flip over the trolly at livi was one of the best backside flips ever brought to earth, just saying haha
John,
You got me again on know(no). I hope that you weren't insinuating that I claim to never make mistakes because I've made one on every reply. Anyway writing on any kind opiate is a blast, but not when it becomes a problem, which it did. So, on that note be careful with those things. People tend to get wrapped on that shit quick like.
Fuck Yeah Denver Park Homies and Community Shop.
I love writing and reading; moreover, I think it is a great way to express yourself, but if your going to be a writer, John, then you need to learn your grammar. Most of what I've seen on the site thus far is commas in the wrong spot, run on sentences galore, and most importantly terrible word play. Read your stories aloud before you submit them and if your not sure of any grammar questions you may have along the way, use the Owl Prelude.
PS, if you want to be a writer then you have to be able to take constructive criticism. Good luck.
John,
Yeah they sure are; you got me on that one. Here I am, trying to be all high and mighty with my grammar and give you some feed back and of course I use your instead of you're. Isn't that a bitch.
PS, I’m pretty sure you did "The Evening With Dylan” video. I thought it was funny.
PPS For clarity I’d be super stoked if you could provide examples of whichever posts you feel contain your ultimate gold-standard in “terrible word play”.
John,
I apologize for using the term terrible word play that was uncalled for. I only read a couple of your posts, so for me to say that your writing is filled with terrible word play is unfair.
As you know gulls are among the most gangster of all the birds and, whether you like it or not, they are aggressive predators. They have been observed attacking ice-cream .
This is the post that I think could be rewritten. The comma after and has got to go. You could keep it if you wanted, but use it after birds. If you read it aloud you’ll see that the stop there sounds off. Also since the word ice cream is a noun here it doesn’t need the hyphen. You only need the hyphen if it is used as an adjective.
That’s my advice.
Best,
CB
PS,
In know way at all am I trying to be a dick or slander your website or bash your writing. I think it is cool what your doing and I’d like to have my own site. I just want your writing to be sick. I’ve been a fan since Dying came out. So keep it up man and I’ll be tuning in and checking the site regularly.
PPS,
I rewrote the post for the hell of it, so if you're curious to see how I worded it I'll post it. Again in know way am I trying to be a smart ass English nerd. I'm just passing down the advice that my professors pasted to me.
Hahaha,Thanks for these comments they're brilliant. I hope to get more comments as good as these in future, I'm superdown to nerd out; splitting hairs can be a lot of fun, especially on codiene.The comma after “and”, along with it's little buddy, is used to separate out the parenthetical “whether you like it or not” as an afterthought. I know what you mean, the word “and” could be in there too but then it's just all too perfect and manicured, which I'm not a fan of. I tend to read everything out loud before submitting or posting and I preferred the pause after and.I love misplacing hyphens, it's an ongoing joke I have with a friend who works with words (see? There's that nerd shit again).What you're engaging in is not so much slander, (generally spoken) as libel (written). The word “know” means to be aware of something and sounds odd the way you use it but I love the idea of your professors pasting you advice. I thank you for pasting it onto me.Well, I don't trust people who claim to never make mistakes and I thank you for pointing out mine. I appreciate your comments and look forward to more.Now I should concentrate on finding something tight to skate and you should start your own blog so I can see how the experts do it. <— winking smiling face.Thanks again.Wait!You haven't pointed out my run-on sentence crimes?
Hello John,
I'd like to contact you about showing "Peter brings the shadow to life" on a small Berlin film festival on "light and shadow".
If you're interested please provide me with a contact to give you more information.
Regards, Eva
Hey John, I had my Ipod on shuffle the other day and this song came on and I thought you and this blog… You may have heard it before, it's by a punk band from Australia called Frenzal Rhomb… Keep up the goodness.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaFwc9UWqR8
Dear John,
I still cannot decide whether it is terribly depressing or incredibly inspiring to see what you get done in a day's work and in life, but please keep doin' it. A deep bow, Sir.
You have been one of my favorite skateboarders since about 2002, when Dying to Live came out. I was in eighth grade, I had a fascination with Scotland, and I was just beginning to develop a taste for atypical trick selection and unique style. So, you can see where you fit in. As I've gotten older, I've come to really admire the way you talk about skateboarding and related fields and issues in interviews, the writings on this website, and videos such as the inspirational tricks video and Epicly Later'd documentary.
Despite the recent news about unfortunate end of Es, I bought your shoe, the Ecosse. I made the purchase directly because of your opinions that you voice, as well as your maneuvers on a skateboard. The shoe skates very well, by the way. I strongly hope that you will endorse more quality footwear in the future, as well as maintain a strong presence in skateboarding. Because, we need you.
Keep up the good work on the board, on this website, and on this green and blue sphere.
Hey Andy,
éS going down is a major bummer and to be honest I don't know what it means for me as a pro skater. 2012 is pretty uncertain for many people I'm sure. Whatever it brings I thank you for the kind words and I'm stoked the shoe skates good, I thought so too and I looked forward to updating that design and working on other projects. Regardless of what the future holds it's rad to know there are people out there that have gleaned some inspiration from the bits and pieces I've managed to put together over the course of my career. Thanks again.
Hi John,
Thank you so much for tweeting my McSweeney's ToY machine demo essay.
I admire your skating very much and your writing. My great aunt was named Fillipa.
In addition, I grew up a few minutes away from the Clipper street ledge.
Wu-Tang. Wu-Tang!
Warm regards,
Joel sussexreview@gmail.com
Great site, lots of thought provoking moving images and content on this here blog, I especially liked the 'Riding The Long White Cloud' documentary, it was a truly fascinating watch. As a skate-rat-turned-avid-cyclist I would love to fire a few questions you're way regarding the practicalities of filming/documenting life whilst cycling, skating and camping etc. as I have plans to do something vaguely similar to that trip soon.
If you could spare the time to offer up some advice then please feel free to get in touch via e-mail – I would really appreciate it.
I hope no more skate pros with injuries try and take to writing. Let the skating to the self-promotion. Actions speak louder than these words – you have nothing to say.
When you become pro at something, or achieve anything of importance in your life- and people still care what you have to say while you are recovering, then you can actually complain.
Until then, don't bother visiting sites just to leave negative comments. you have nothing to say.
hey mouly,
what a coincidence. i just saw the 411 Flip AMs section with your crazy heelflips variations. i wondered what has become of alex moul. and now i find you here
well this is very informative post please can you know why some images are not displayed here on your page , i am trying to see but i can't. Is there any problem with my pc or its removed from your site. thanks ..?
Awesome!
Hello Mr Rattray, I was just wondering why you haven't done any new
games of G.L.O.R.Y. Or at least filmed 'em. The idea of the game is great, & the
one you played with Ryan Smith was fantastic & so much fun to watch.
P.S Congratulations on becoming the TM of NB#.
I hadn't thought about it. Maybe it's because the intensity of that game with Smith was enough to last us for a solid couple of years. Might be time to revisit the concept. Cheers!
Darn those predatory birds with their razor-sharp beaks!
These birds aren't predatory or even gulls, but you might like them
anyway, as they are pretty gangster:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_i…
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01qm23k/Roo…
seagulls get BBC footage no less. (first item only, unless you want to watch the whole 'shbang'
Hey John, I recently did an illustration of you as a wee skate rat (with a Predatory Bird board) for a New Zealand skate mag called Manual Magazine.
You can check out the illustration here: http://www.andresjensen.com/blog/wee-rat/
Hope you like it, cheers!
Andres
Hello Mr Rattray. I was just thinking about the somewhat recent announcement of New Balance joining the skate game through partnership with Black Box Dist. I began to wonder who they had set up for the team, then I remembered you were associated with Black Box as well. Then I remembered you are currently without a shoe sponsor. I hope you see where I am going with this. Would you happen to be part of this new team that will emerge in the skate community in the near future? Much appreciated
Time will tell.
Hey John, I was just wondering if you'd be
able to post a link to that Terminator song you put
up a while back (I'll be back?). I've had the song stuck in my head for
a good while now and haven't been able to locate it anywhere. Much appreciation.
<a href="http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=SWCv8k9arkc&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DSWCv8k9arkchttp://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=SWCv8k9arkc&deskto… />Sent from anywhere
Hey John,
you might remember me as the dude that tagged you on that picture of a Sea Eagle a way back on Instagram, maybe?!
Anyway, I've not long ago started at University as a mature student, studying Film and New Media. One of the modules is Media and Culture Studies and I have an essay coming up that I'd like to use Skateboarding and the importance of Media (Video/Text/Photo) and the effects (positive/negative) is has upon the scene and Skateboarding as a whole. (I havent worked out exactly what the method will be yet but something along those lines)
If I can put together a few (maybe 4 or 5) questions would you be interested in giving you opinions?
No pressure, but it would be nice to be able to source someone like your self in my essay being as your Pro and in the know so to speak.
No bother if your not up for it, but shy bairns get nowt.
Cheers,
Anth. (mcarrnage)
Hi John,
I hope you're well. I've been following the Predatory Bird blog for a while and I always enjoy seeing what you post. I really liked the Storytime part 1 video you put up the other week, and nobody can dance on a river like you can.
I thought I'd drop you a line to let you know about a zine I wrote and photographed a while ago. It's a photo-essay about skateboarding philosophy, which examines how, through the use of a skateboard, urban architecture can become a playground of infinite possibilities. Its readable online at http://cargocollective.com/bengore/Concrete-Canva… if you're interested.
Anyway keep doing radical skateboard manoeuvres and I look forward to seeing whatever it is you're working on at the moment.
All the best,
Ben
Hey John,
As a fellow Scottish woodpusher now living in North America you and more recently your bloggings have been a constant source of interest and inspiration.
I do my best to write things about skateboarding myself and the wide ranging cast of characters and connected interests that exist within it. I have been self publishing a zine up in Ottawa, and I try to get as many copies back across the pond as I can.
My reasons for contacting you are twofold…
firstly: I was wondering if I could ask you a few questions about this very blog and your own musings for our next issue.
secondly: I am trying to get another little thing going for the folks over at Jenkem and the nature of it brought yourself to mind.
You can contact me at mudozine@gmail.com and I can maybe give you a little run down if its something that might interest you.
Also that backside flip over the trolly at livi was one of the best backside flips ever brought to earth, just saying haha
Laurence Gillespie.
be careful while shooting, predatory birds are everywhere http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RArofHji8CU&fe…
Have you considered making the Predatory Bird shaped board in a more economical version? I'd love to skate one.
Thanks.
I consider it daily. Just have some logistics to iron out.
This is good to hear. Radical, thanks.
John,
You got me again on know(no). I hope that you weren't insinuating that I claim to never make mistakes because I've made one on every reply. Anyway writing on any kind opiate is a blast, but not when it becomes a problem, which it did. So, on that note be careful with those things. People tend to get wrapped on that shit quick like.
Fuck Yeah Denver Park Homies and Community Shop.
Best,
CB
PS, write, write, write and then write.
I love writing and reading; moreover, I think it is a great way to express yourself, but if your going to be a writer, John, then you need to learn your grammar. Most of what I've seen on the site thus far is commas in the wrong spot, run on sentences galore, and most importantly terrible word play. Read your stories aloud before you submit them and if your not sure of any grammar questions you may have along the way, use the Owl Prelude.
PS, if you want to be a writer then you have to be able to take constructive criticism. Good luck.
Best,
CB
Excellent comment.I'll be sure to increase my efforts in all those areas.Thanks.P.S. I'm 99% certain that “your” and “you're” are different.
John,
Yeah they sure are; you got me on that one. Here I am, trying to be all high and mighty with my grammar and give you some feed back and of course I use your instead of you're. Isn't that a bitch.
PS, I’m pretty sure you did "The Evening With Dylan” video. I thought it was funny.
Glad you liked the video. Many thanks.Sent from anywhere
PPS For clarity I’d be super stoked if you could provide examples of whichever posts you feel contain your ultimate gold-standard in “terrible word play”.
John,
I apologize for using the term terrible word play that was uncalled for. I only read a couple of your posts, so for me to say that your writing is filled with terrible word play is unfair.
As you know gulls are among the most gangster of all the birds and, whether you like it or not, they are aggressive predators. They have been observed attacking ice-cream .
This is the post that I think could be rewritten. The comma after and has got to go. You could keep it if you wanted, but use it after birds. If you read it aloud you’ll see that the stop there sounds off. Also since the word ice cream is a noun here it doesn’t need the hyphen. You only need the hyphen if it is used as an adjective.
That’s my advice.
Best,
CB
PS,
In know way at all am I trying to be a dick or slander your website or bash your writing. I think it is cool what your doing and I’d like to have my own site. I just want your writing to be sick. I’ve been a fan since Dying came out. So keep it up man and I’ll be tuning in and checking the site regularly.
PPS,
I rewrote the post for the hell of it, so if you're curious to see how I worded it I'll post it. Again in know way am I trying to be a smart ass English nerd. I'm just passing down the advice that my professors pasted to me.
Hahaha,Thanks for these comments they're brilliant. I hope to get more comments as good as these in future, I'm superdown to nerd out; splitting hairs can be a lot of fun, especially on codiene.The comma after “and”, along with it's little buddy, is used to separate out the parenthetical “whether you like it or not” as an afterthought. I know what you mean, the word “and” could be in there too but then it's just all too perfect and manicured, which I'm not a fan of. I tend to read everything out loud before submitting or posting and I preferred the pause after and.I love misplacing hyphens, it's an ongoing joke I have with a friend who works with words (see? There's that nerd shit again).What you're engaging in is not so much slander, (generally spoken) as libel (written). The word “know” means to be aware of something and sounds odd the way you use it but I love the idea of your professors pasting you advice. I thank you for pasting it onto me.Well, I don't trust people who claim to never make mistakes and I thank you for pointing out mine. I appreciate your comments and look forward to more.Now I should concentrate on finding something tight to skate and you should start your own blog so I can see how the experts do it.
<— winking smiling face.Thanks again.Wait!You haven't pointed out my run-on sentence crimes? 
http://pinchmysalt.tv/a-very-rare-great-white-sea…
who dont love pastries i no i do
this is what the predatory bird really is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtN_Q7rpQyM&fe…
Agreed, There's an animated gif of that very clip in the latest post. Gangster-Bird Picture roundup.
Thanks for sharing.
Hello John,
I'd like to contact you about showing "Peter brings the shadow to life" on a small Berlin film festival on "light and shadow".
If you're interested please provide me with a contact to give you more information.
Regards, Eva
Here's to a speedy recovery John. Keep that brilliant mind strong, and away from the dark side. Skate well soon.
fingers crossed you will recover in time for the final stop of street league
Thought you might like this… <a href="http://cat .www.thepredatorybird.com.meowbify.com/” target=”_blank”>http://cat <a href="http://.www.thepredatorybird….” target=”_blank”>.www.thepredatorybird.com.meowbify.com/
or <a href="http://cat .www.thepredatorybird.com.meowbify.com/?page_id=601″ target=”_blank”>http://cat <a href="http://.www.thepredatorybird….” target=”_blank”>.www.thepredatorybird.com.meowbify.com/?page_id=601
that didn't work, obviously. take out the target="_blank">
None of those links seem to work. Want to try again?
Lots of cat gifs? Yes, I do like that.
Saw this and thought you you
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VklTs-Tid_I&fe…
Amazing stuff! Saw it a while back, thanks for the reminder.
Dear John, the devil – could it be – is that… ?
http://www.amazon.de/The-Devils-Footprints-A-Nove…
Anyone got another angle?
http://www.amazon.de/Die-Spur-Teufels-John-Burnsi…
So that settles that.
Cheers, Moritz
Looks like a good one. I'll endeavour to check it out. Cheers.Sent from anywhere
Hey John, I had my Ipod on shuffle the other day and this song came on and I thought you and this blog… You may have heard it before, it's by a punk band from Australia called Frenzal Rhomb… Keep up the goodness.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaFwc9UWqR8
That is brilliant! Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
Frenzal Rhomb are the best punk band in the world right now, and they're not even trying to be taken seriously. Deal with it, everyone.
Dear John,
I still cannot decide whether it is terribly depressing or incredibly inspiring to see what you get done in a day's work and in life, but please keep doin' it. A deep bow, Sir.
Cheers,
Moritz
http://listverse.com/2012/06/04/10-birds-you-real…
This was in my inbox this morning…thought you'd enjoy.
Of course, the gull is the first thing we see. Excellent and informative, thanks.
Vraiment sympa ta vidéo avec l'ombre, très poétique !
Bravo
has anyone seen the new sidewalk video with stu g and colin adam in it
En español http://centralzine.com/the-predatory-bird/
Rad as in Joe Pease's endless line!
That was so rad bro!
To John Rattray,
You have been one of my favorite skateboarders since about 2002, when Dying to Live came out. I was in eighth grade, I had a fascination with Scotland, and I was just beginning to develop a taste for atypical trick selection and unique style. So, you can see where you fit in. As I've gotten older, I've come to really admire the way you talk about skateboarding and related fields and issues in interviews, the writings on this website, and videos such as the inspirational tricks video and Epicly Later'd documentary.
Despite the recent news about unfortunate end of Es, I bought your shoe, the Ecosse. I made the purchase directly because of your opinions that you voice, as well as your maneuvers on a skateboard. The shoe skates very well, by the way. I strongly hope that you will endorse more quality footwear in the future, as well as maintain a strong presence in skateboarding. Because, we need you.
Keep up the good work on the board, on this website, and on this green and blue sphere.
Andy.
Hey Andy,
éS going down is a major bummer and to be honest I don't know what it means for me as a pro skater. 2012 is pretty uncertain for many people I'm sure. Whatever it brings I thank you for the kind words and I'm stoked the shoe skates good, I thought so too and I looked forward to updating that design and working on other projects. Regardless of what the future holds it's rad to know there are people out there that have gleaned some inspiration from the bits and pieces I've managed to put together over the course of my career. Thanks again.
Hi John,
Thank you so much for tweeting my McSweeney's ToY machine demo essay.
I admire your skating very much and your writing. My great aunt was named Fillipa.
In addition, I grew up a few minutes away from the Clipper street ledge.
Wu-Tang. Wu-Tang!
Warm regards,
Joel sussexreview@gmail.com
No worries Joel. I tweet stuff I like. Keep up the good work.
Hi John,
Great site, lots of thought provoking moving images and content on this here blog, I especially liked the 'Riding The Long White Cloud' documentary, it was a truly fascinating watch. As a skate-rat-turned-avid-cyclist I would love to fire a few questions you're way regarding the practicalities of filming/documenting life whilst cycling, skating and camping etc. as I have plans to do something vaguely similar to that trip soon.
If you could spare the time to offer up some advice then please feel free to get in touch via e-mail – I would really appreciate it.
Keep on doing what your doing,
Thanks
I ate a lady's bun
loving this
I hope no more skate pros with injuries try and take to writing. Let the skating to the self-promotion. Actions speak louder than these words – you have nothing to say.
http://www.depressionalliance.org/
the dark side
Sent from wherever
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LanMi1Ydgjo&fe…
When you become pro at something, or achieve anything of importance in your life- and people still care what you have to say while you are recovering, then you can actually complain.
Until then, don't bother visiting sites just to leave negative comments. you have nothing to say.
The Internet is free for everyone, try to do better stuff then be back to show it to people.
Yeah, Rat Bag's, love from Mouly.
hey mouly,
what a coincidence. i just saw the 411 Flip AMs section with your crazy heelflips variations. i wondered what has become of alex moul. and now i find you here