A while back, I would periodically rent a room on the Oceanfront at Va Beach, on the 8th floor or above -- for the view, for the ocean in my room!
Gulls were common inhabitants of the beach, and we had a routine:
I would go out onto the balcony, and make a big, sweeping move with my arms. And wait. They would see me from down on the shoreline, and little by little start the trek up to my balcony. From there, I would throw them the bread or the crackers in midair as they would hover-- getting to look them dead in the eye!
The juveniles have black eyes, but the oldtimers -- the seasoned, wise ones -- have these beautiful light green eyes! They were very serious indeed. There was one in particular who seemed so familiar... Miss them.