Dorsal view of a Ring-billed Gull – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/4000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Just a simple post today of a simple bird, a dorsal view of a Ring-billed Gull in flight over a water feature at Farmington Bay WMA. It was wonderful to photograph this gull against a clear, blue sky instead of the smoky skies we had this summer. Since our weather cooled down fires haven’t been as big an issue here in Utah but I feel for our California neighbors who are going through some hellish fires as I write this.
If I have the opportunity to photograph gulls I will, it is as simple as that. They are beautiful, albeit noisy, birds that are graceful in flight. When I don’t have gulls around I actually miss them, I’m not even sure that I would enjoy living in a location where there weren’t gulls.
When I am asked by new bird photographers about how to become proficient in taking flight shots I often say find some gulls and “practice, practice, practice” because gulls are widespread, easily found and they fly past frequently. If you can nail gulls in flight you can nail most birds in flight.
Ring-billed Gulls overwinter here in northern Utah and I look forward to photographing them on snow, ice and floating on frigid waters. I was happy to photograph this Ring-billed Gull in flight yesterday just after it turned over the water to check out some grebes below it because it gave me such a nice view of its back, tops of its wings, its eye and its snowy white tail.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Ring-billed Gull photos plus facts and information about this species.
A stunning image. I would dispute simple though. Both for your image and for the bird.
I thought I was the only one in the world who loves to photograph gulls. I too have some interesting shots where you can just imagine what they are thinking. Keep posting these lovlies.
The idea of a duck hunt in a refuge, where they probably feel safe, is so repugnant…beautiful images of a gull, though…you must have been flying above this bird….
I am looking forward to hunting season to slow down so I can enjoy Farmington Bay, us birders need a bigger window between the opening of the bay to the opening of duck hunt.