Here's some gull photos I snapped today, from both sunrise and sunset (I did a little hawkwatching in the middle of the day).
Ring-billed Gulls http://www.pbase.com/birdfedr/image/119233693 http://www.pbase.com/birdfedr/image/119233698 http://www.pbase.com/birdfedr/image/119233692 http://www.pbase.com/birdfedr/image/119233695 http://www.pbase.com/birdfedr/image/119233697 http://www.pbase.com/birdfedr/image/119233696 Herring Gull http://www.pbase.com/birdfedr/image/119233694 Lighthouse http://www.pbase.com/birdfedr/image/119233699 Here's a gull that I believe is a Herring Gull. This individual is showing several transitions at one time (based on eye color, bill color, plumage, and mantle). All of these transitions that I am mentioning and noticing are characteristic of Herring Gulls. http://www.pbase.com/birdfedr/image/119233691 In case it is hard to read the tidbits about this bird on my photo site (in green and blue), here it is on this email... >From the heavy bill, and overall impression of the bulkiness of this bird, my first impression was Herring Gull. After trying to age this bird, I am confused by the field marks of this bird. 1. It has the dark eyes of a 1 year old bird 2. The bill, being mostly pink with a black band near the end, is characteristic of either a 1st summer or 2nd winter Herring Gull. 3. The head is pale in the front, with light detailing throughout the back end of the head. This is characteristic of 3 year old birds, and more pale in adult non-breeding. 4. The pale mantle with dirty outer edges of the folded wings are characteristics of the 3rd winter Herring Gull. 5. Primary tips look all dark like a non-adult Herring Gull Let me know if you have any thoughts about this gull. Any help is appreciated :) Good birdwatching, Erik Bruhnke Duluth, MN NATURALLY AVIAN - Guided bird hikes and bird photography birdf...@gmail.com www.pbase.com/birdfedr/naturallyavian ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
