I haven’t spent much time photographing birds at Farmington Bay WMA this winter but during the time I have been there I haven’t seen a single Herring Gull and that is disappointing to me.
Herring Gull walking in mud – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I like gulls. I love to photograph gulls. I enjoy watching gulls in flight, on the ground, and fighting over food. I just do. I’m proud to be a gull enthusiast. To me they are as fascinating as any other bird on this planet.
Two winters ago I was able to photograph Herring Gulls at Farmington Bay and I had fun while I was doing it. The water level in the units had been dropped to kill invasive Asian Carp and there were gulls everywhere.
Herring Gull standing on a dead carp – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Among our regular California and Ring-billed Gulls I looked for Herring Gulls to photograph. They stand out because they are large, much larger than the Ring-billed Gulls and unlike the large, dark-eyed California Gulls, Herring Gulls have light colored eyes.
Herring Gulls at Farmington Bay – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I can photograph California and Ring-bulled in northern Utah year round but I am only able to take photos of Herring Gulls during the winter here which is why I will photograph them before our resident gulls when given the chance.
Herring Gull in morning light – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/3200, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
This winter I have seen Herring Gulls on the marshes of Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge and have taken photos of them there. It won’t be long before the Herring Gulls leave northern Utah and I am really hoping I get a few more opportunities to photograph them before they go.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Herring Gull photos plus facts and information about this species.
Of course you love them. As I do.
Not everyone does, whenever I post gulls my blogs stats drop like rocks. But I’m not publishing for the stats.
Some birds photographers won’t even slow down to photograph them.
To me, gulls are the harbinger of Spring, even more than Robins. I always find it exciting to find gulls “just passing through as well as the regular residents.”
I guess way up north they are harbingers of spring, I’d never thought about that, Jane.
Hubby and I spent some delightful moments with several gulls yesterday as they were jockeying for position and protecting their romantic pairings. I count myself as a member of the Gull Enthusiast Club too. 😃
I’m so glad you are a gull enthusiast too!