Runty Ring-billed Gull on iceRunty Ring-billed Gull on ice – Nikon D500, f8, 1/2000, ISO 400, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

On January 3rd I photographed two unusual Ring-billed Gulls at my local pond in Salt Lake County, today I am sharing one of those gulls, the runty, second winter Ring-billed Gull. This photo shows an out of focus, normal sized Ring-billed Gull several feet behind the much smaller and daintier looking runty Ring-billed Gull.

Runty Ring-billed Gull stretchingRunty Ring-billed Gull stretching – Nikon D500, f8, 1/1000, ISO 400, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

When I first spotted it I had hoped I was seeing a much rarer gull, a Mew Gull, but the bill on the runty gull although smaller than usual is shaped just like a Ring-billed Gulls bill. I did share the images with a North American Gulls Facebook page just to be sure and the consensus was a “runty second winter ring-billed” and I agree.

Runty Second Winter Ring-billed Gull callingRunty Second Winter Ring-billed Gull calling – Nikon D500, f8, 1/1600, ISO 400, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

The runty Ring-billed Gull was so beautiful though that I wanted to share these images. The gull came in close and I was able to take several close up portraits plus there were even a few of the gull calling.

Portrait of a runty 2nd Winter Ring-billed GullPortrait of a runty 2nd Winter Ring-billed Gull – Nikon D500, f8, 1/5000, ISO 400, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

In these close up portraits it is much harder, if not impossible, to tell how runty this Ring-billed Gull was because there is nothing to compare it to such as a normal sized Ring-billed Gull but since it was so cooperative I took quite a few portraits of it.

Runty Second Winter Ring-billed Gull close upRunty Second Winter Ring-billed Gull close up – Nikon D500, f8, 1/4000, ISO 400, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

I think Ring-billed Gulls photographed against a snowy background are stunning and I am glad there was a heavy layer of snow on the ground when I photographed this interesting gull. I love gulls despite how common they can be.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Ring-billed Gull photos plus facts and information about this species.