Ring-billed Gull on a snowy December morning – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1000, ISO 640, +1.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Yesterday morning I drove to my local grocery store in whiteout conditions. The storm was brief, windy, and white but it reminded me of how much I love photographing birds in whiteout conditions. Last year we didn’t have many whiteout days during what was supposed to be winter. The fact is that it snowed very little down in the Salt Lake Valley last winter. So far this winter I have already scraped more snow off of my Jeep than I did the winter of 2020/2021 but I haven’t yet photographed birds in whiteouts.
In December of 2019 I took quite a few Ring-billed Gull photos in whiteout conditions down at my local pond and loved the challenge that taking them presented.
Ring-billed Gulls in winter whiteout conditions – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 640, +1.0 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
It wouldn’t have mattered to me if the Ring-billed Gulls had been California Gulls, coots, ducks, starlings, grackles, or any other bird species. I simply appreciate how taking photos of birds in conditions that challenge me, test my skills, and make me more selective about my settings.
The fact that I was photographing birds with a lot of white plumage tested my skills even further because I didn’t want the white plumage of the Ring-billed Gulls to blend completely into the snow. I remember how challenging it was in my high school art class when my art teacher had us draw a white egg on a white tablecloth with pencils on paper. That was challenging too.
Ring-billed Gulls on a snowy December morning – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 640, +1.0 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I’m hoping that I have more opportunities to photograph Ring-billed Gulls and other birds in whiteout conditions this winter. Time will tell. It is supposed to snow this afternoon according to the weather forecast but will it? Again, time will tell.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Ring-billed Gull photos plus facts and information about this species.
Definitely high degree of difficulty shots here and outstanding results. Stay safe in all the snow!
Difficult conditions but outstanding results!
It’s great to see different perspectives.
Yes, I don’t envy you the difficulty, but, having done it successfully you should be pleased with these shots. High key shot like the, when done well, are gorgeous.
I like the white on white. It is a fun challenge to shoot in the snow, the autofocus likes to grab onto the falling snow. Part of Haley’s photography class in high school had white on white and black on black assignments. Hers turned out stunning. She won a few awards with them and her teacher used them to win a grant for the classroom. Her white on white was of course dove eggs on a textured white valor fabric loose nest in the snow. I remember the hardest part was getting the same shade white fabric as the snow, depending on the day the snow reflects different colors. I believe she used a very overcast day to shoot. Her black on black was our cat Noir curled up tightly sleeping on Jon’s Russian hat on our black leather chair. The cat blended into the fur hat so well it looked like the hat had yellow eyes and white whiskers, living Russian hat.
Your art teacher set quite a challenge, which I suspect has helped in later years when taking photographs in challenging (to say the least) conditions.
Great shots and I hope you get some similar opportunities. Soon.
Once again your images are simply amazing! Seeing feather detail in white birds is challenge enough, much less in whiteout conditions. You never cease to impress me with your photography skills. I solute you! Happy holidays!
So glad you rose to the chall3nge … and 5hatbyour3 getting much needed snow ❄️❄️❄️