{"id":77626,"date":"2021-01-11T06:11:52","date_gmt":"2021-01-11T13:11:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/?p=77626"},"modified":"2024-11-14T18:32:38","modified_gmt":"2024-11-15T00:32:38","slug":"first-winter-herring-gulls","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/2021\/01\/11\/first-winter-herring-gulls\/","title":{"rendered":"First Winter American Herring Gulls"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"FirstFirst winter American Herring Gull on ice \u2013 Nikon D500, f7.1, 1\/4000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light<\/span><\/p>\n

I recently wrote about my excitement that American Herring Gulls have started showing up in northern Utah. Last week I was able to photograph some of them. Today I wanted to share a few images of first winter American Herring Gulls.<\/p>\n

These young American Herring Gulls hatched during the breeding season of 2020 and have migrated a long way to presumably overwinter here on the marshes of Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge<\/span><\/a>. If food sources or weather conditions change they may move on. For now however; I will enjoy these large gulls when ever I can.<\/p>\n

\"FirstFirst winter American Herring Gull walking on ice \u2013 Nikon D500, f7.1, 1\/2500, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light<\/span><\/p>\n

American Herring Gulls and other large gulls can take several years to acquire their adult plumage. Much like Bald Eagles<\/span><\/a> they go through several plumage phases and molts.<\/p>\n

Usually large gulls take four years to acquire their adult plumage. Those four years can be divided into four plumage cycles.<\/p>\n

Plumage Cycles:<\/h2>\n