California Gull splashing on landing – Nikon D500, f8, 1/4000, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
It is finally the first day of March! February is the shortest month of the year but for me this year it seemed like the longest because there were so many gray days where the clouds were too thick to even go out looking for birds, it just wasn’t worth the frustration. I only went out into the field 10 times in February and that is counting the four days I just went to the local pond plus a day I went up into some snowy canyons in the Oquirrh Mountains where I just had fun 4 wheeling in the deep snow and never took a photo. February of 2019 might go down in my books as the month I spent the least amount of time in the field since I became a bird photographer. Goodbye February!
Still, February wasn’t a loss because I did enjoy some nice days, took some lovely photos of birds and I often found the peace & quiet I need to be able to deal with the craziness of life at times. Even spending 15 minutes with birds is a welcome respite that recharges me. I added photos of Bald Eagles, Great Blue Herons, various ducks, Barn Owls, American Robins, Rough-legged Hawks and plenty of Ring-billed and California Gulls to my portfolio so last month wasn’t a complete loss.
On one of the brighter afternoons I spent just 15 minutes at the local pond and came away with lots of photos of winter California Gulls bathing, flying and landing and among those I liked this image the most. I like the sheet of water the rose up from the surface of the pond that mimicked the wing of the gull plus the great eye contact the gull gave me and the silvery color of the water. I could say that I wish that the out of focus gulls weren’t visible in the background but I like how they add depth to the image so I’m not going to fret about them at all.
This morning I am saying hello to March, hello spring migration, hello birds I haven’t seen since last fall!
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my California Gull photos plus facts and information about this species.
Love the white markings at the ends of the primaries. I live in between a K-8 and a high school, so can see the gulls flying overhead as they go back and forth in time for recess, nutrition and lunch periods. Little opportunists! 😉
Cool
At least the seasons change.! If one disappoints, you can look forward to the next. Hope you have a great Spring!