Winter Herring Gulls have arrived in northern Utah and I am excited that I will have opportunities to photograph this gull species again. Our Ring-billed and California Gulls are here year round but I only see Herring Gulls when winter arrives and for a few weeks that makes them a target species for me.
Winter adult Herring Gull portrait – Nikon D500, f9, 1/2500, ISO 400, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Yesterday my friend and fellow photographer Amy Barker asked me for help with a gull ID and I was delighted to tell her that the gull she photographed was a Herring Gull. She was at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge when she took images of it so now I know I need to head there so I can photograph them too.
The adult Herring Gull in the portrait above was photographed on February 28, 2018 at Farmington Bay WMA.
Immature Herring Gull in flight over a marsh – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/4000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I have seen Herring Gulls at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge and at Farmington Bay WMA and have often wondered why I don’t see them at the ponds that are close to where I live. They can also be found along the causeway to Antelope Island State Park, Utah Lake, Lee Kay Ponds and other areas of the Salt Lake Valley and beyond.
The immature Herring Gull in the photo above was photographed on January 26, 2016 at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge.
Herring Gulls are only winter visitors to Utah. They breed in the northeastern U.S, Alaska and Canada so having them here in Utah during the winter is a treat for me. I used to see and photograph this species in Florida during the winter as well.
I’m very much looking forward to seeing and photographing Herring Gulls this winter.
Life is good.
Mia
Tip: Some people don’t care about gulls so if you are a gull lover like I am you might want to look for them on your own. That way you can take your time to look through the flocks of gulls for the unusual ones we see here in Utah during the winter.
See more of my Herring Gull photos along with facts and information on this species here.
I’m definitely a gull lover. These are wonderful shots. I don’t think I’ve ever realized how light Herring Gulls’ eyes are — beautiful!
Do you think ponds are too deep? They seem to be more of a shore and wading bird. They stomp and peck in shallow water and mud.
Just beautiful. I do envy your variety of gulls.
We have Herring Gulls year round here in Niagara. What we don’t see, like you, are Herring Gulls at the local pond adjacent to the Niagara River but you do see them on the Niagara River. They must prefer more open, flowing water. The Niagara River is a hotspot for a large variety of gulls in late fall.
cool photos Mia