Molting Ring-billed Gull in flight – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/6400, ISO 640, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
If I see a gull in good light I am going to photograph it because I think gulls are beautiful so when I saw this molting Ring-billed Gull I knew I wanted plenty of photos of the gull. I’ve been photographing Ring-billed Gulls in September in the wetlands at Farmington Bay WMA for ten years now and this is the first one where I could easily see the symmetry of the molt. How could I resist?
This image and the other two below show that this Ring-billed Gull is molting its primaries, secondaries and some tail feathers.
Symmetrical molt in a Ring-billed Gull – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/6400, ISO 640, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Not only was this Ring-billed Gull in molt it was molting in a remarkably symmetrical pattern which I found interesting. Because the gull was in flight the symmetry was very visible.
Molting Ring-billed Gull flying over Farmington Bay WMA – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/5000, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
These three photos were the best that I was able to take of this molting Ring-billed Gull looking for prey in the water below it before the gull flew off and I lost sight of it.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Ring-billed Gull photos plus facts and information about this species.
Very interesting pictures. It’s good to know that the gulls can continue to fly when they are loosing their feathers. You have to think of the similarity to airplanes. Birds can adjust, and keep on flying, while a plane would fall out of the sky.
Mother nature at work.
Fascinating. Thank you.
Interesting images of these great flyers that we see a lot in northern Utah. Thanks!
I’m a gull fan as well (except when I’m in the direct line of fire 😉 ). Great shots of the molting patterns.
Great shots during an interesting period, molting, in a birds life. Thanks for showing the molt so clearly.
I’m not sure I would understand what one means when they say “I saw a screech of gulls.” Was there a Screech Owl near them? Yet a murder of crows is not much better. Guess you had to live during the times those saying were developed. Fun just the same.