Laughing Gulls

Laughing Gulls are medium gulls with light gray backs, white underparts, black wingtips with white markings and narrow white eye-arcs. Their heads turn black during breeding season and their bills and webbed feet turn dark red.

Some of the Birds That People Love to Hate

By |2024-02-14T06:28:20-07:00March 11th, 2018|Categories: American Crows, Birds, Black-billed Magpies, Brown-headed Cowbirds, Common Ravens, Double-crested Cormorants, European Starlings, Fish Crows, Florida, House Sparrows, Laughing Gulls, Mallards|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Okay, that is enough for now, there are more birds that people love to hate but I can only deal with so much of it before I feel the need to get out and photograph all the birds I see, even those that other people despise.

For The Love Of All That’s Birdy, There Is No Such Thing As A Seagull

By |2021-12-11T07:32:32-07:00November 26th, 2017|Categories: Antelope Island State Park, Birds, California Gulls, Davis County, Florida, Fort De Soto County Park, Laughing Gulls, Pinellas County, Ring-billed Gulls, Salt Lake County, Utah|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

One of the things that make my feathers ruffle though is when I see people post a bird photo and call it a "seagull" because there is no such thing as a seagull.

Laughing Gull Sliding Across the Water

By |2016-12-07T12:05:29-07:00October 25th, 2016|Categories: Birds, Florida, Fort De Soto County Park, Laughing Gulls, Pinellas County|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , |

Of the images I took that day on the beach, and there were tons of them, this image of a Laughing Gull sliding across the water as it chased a fish in the shallow waves was one of my favorites.

Franklin’s Gull and Laughing Gull Comparison

By |2021-05-30T06:14:18-06:00May 2nd, 2016|Categories: Antelope Island State Park, Birds, Brine Flies, Davis County, Florida, Fort De Soto County Park, Franklin's Gulls, Laughing Gulls, Pinellas County, Utah|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

I know this isn't a complete Franklin's Gull and Laughing Gull comparison but I'm not a scientist, just a bird photographer and bird lover.

An Aerial Food Fight – Gulls and a Tern

By |2017-04-25T05:17:24-06:00May 4th, 2014|Categories: Birds, Florida, Fort De Soto County Park, Herring Gulls, Laughing Gulls, Royal Terns|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

This image was taken on a breezy April morning in 2009 at Fort De Soto County Park's north beach when I saw an aerial food fight occurring over the Gulf of Mexico.

Adult and juvenile Laughing Gulls

By |2021-08-07T03:52:10-06:00March 4th, 2014|Categories: Birds, Florida, Fort De Soto County Park, Laughing Gulls, Pinellas County|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Laughing Gulls are commonly seen at Fort De Soto County Park but novices to birding and bird watching might think they are three different kinds of gulls depending on their age and plumage.

Four Intimate Gull Portraits

By |2021-08-07T04:03:27-06:00January 25th, 2014|Categories: Birds, California Gulls, Florida, Herring Gulls, Laughing Gulls, Ring-billed Gulls, Utah|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

I like gulls. I especially like being able to see them up close when the opportunities arise and will take advantage of my close proximity by taking portraits of these beautiful but often disliked birds.

Laughing Gulls in breeding and nonbreeding plumage

By |2021-08-07T03:54:27-06:00June 29th, 2013|Categories: Birds, Florida, Fort De Soto County Park, Laughing Gulls|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Both of these Laughing Gull images were taken at Fort De Soto County Park's north beach in Florida, the image above shows a Laughing gull in nonbreeding plumage that was taken in September of 2008.

Ruddy Turnstone and a Laughing Gull

By |2021-05-17T06:55:08-06:00April 18th, 2013|Categories: Birds, Florida, Fort De Soto County Park, Laughing Gulls, Pinellas County, Ruddy Turnstones|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Five years ago today I was laying in the warm wet sands of Fort De Soto County Park's north beach as the salty water from the Gulf of Mexico soaked my skin while photographing a Ruddy Turnstone doing what they do best, turning things.

The answer to the Gull and Tern Quiz is…

By |2016-12-07T12:12:15-07:00January 28th, 2013|Categories: Bird ID, Birds, Florida, Fort De Soto County Park, Gulls, Herring Gulls, Laughing Gulls, Royal Terns|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

The majority of you voted for the correct answer: Juvenile Herring Gull, 1st winter Laughing Gull and Royal Tern

Bird images from warmer days and all at 300mm or less

By |2016-12-07T12:12:16-07:00January 26th, 2013|Categories: Birds, Fish Crows, Florida, Fort De Soto County Park, Ghost Crabs, Laughing Gulls, Pinellas County, Short-billed Dowitchers, Willets, Yellow-crowned Night Herons|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Gray skies, freezing temps and the inversions are beginning to get to me so I thought I would share some bird images from warmer days on Fort De Soto County Park's north beach in sunny Florida.

Laughing Gull White Balance Mess up and Fix

By |2016-12-07T12:12:54-07:00October 19th, 2012|Categories: Florida, Fort De Soto County Park, Laughing Gulls, White Balance adjustments|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

All photographers mess up, some times it is the focus, sometimes it is not having enough shutter speed for active subjects and sometimes a dial gets bumped and when it is not noticed it can affect all the images taken after it has been changed.

Four years ago today at Fort De Soto

By |2016-12-07T12:12:55-07:00October 17th, 2012|Categories: Birds, Florida, Fort De Soto County Park, Great Egrets, Laughing Gulls, Reddish Egrets|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , |

Just a few images taken 4 years ago today at Fort De Soto's north beach. It was not a super busy day but I did get quite a few images that I like.

Birds, Beasts and Bits About Me – My 500th Blog Post

By |2020-01-25T06:23:25-07:00October 4th, 2012|Categories: Bald Eagles, Birds, Burrowing Owls, Coyotes, Dunlins, Florida, Laughing Gulls, Little Blue Herons, Loggerhead Shrikes, Pronghorn, Reddish Egrets, Roseate Spoonbills, Sanderlings, Utah|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Wow, this is my 500th blog post and it has been great fun to share my images and the stories behind them. I thought I'd share a few images and bits about my thoughts on photography.

4 Years ago today when Hurricane Ike stirred things up at Fort De Soto

By |2020-01-25T05:56:45-07:00September 12th, 2012|Categories: Birds, Black Skimmers, Florida, Fort De Soto County Park, Laughing Gulls, Pinellas County, Reddish Egrets, Ring-billed Gulls, Willets|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Four years ago today Hurricane Ike was out in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico and the waves that it generated made a strong splash at Fort De Soto County Park.

Bathing Laughing Gull in breeding plumage

By |2021-08-16T13:30:07-06:00September 2nd, 2012|Categories: Birds, Florida, Fort De Soto County Park, Laughing Gulls, Pinellas County|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

I photographed this adult Laughing Gull (Larus atricilla) in breeding plumage while it bathed in the shallow waters of a tidal lagoon at Fort De Soto's north beach a few years ago.

Laughing Gull – Small in the Frame

By |2021-08-16T13:37:50-06:00August 5th, 2012|Categories: Birds, Florida, Fort De Soto County Park, Laughing Gulls, Small in the frame|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

On the day that I photographed this Laughing Gull either Hurricane Ike or Gustav was out near the center of the Gulf of Mexico that was churning up the water

Reddish Egret Being Shadowed by Laughing Gulls

By |2020-01-25T04:34:44-07:00April 23rd, 2012|Categories: Birds, Florida, Fort De Soto County Park, Laughing Gulls, Reddish Egrets|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , |

There were two Reddish Egrets (Egretta rufescens) on the north beach of Fort De Soto that day and it was a blast to watch them race around catching the small fish.

People, Birds And A Sea Star In A Sea Fog

By |2023-03-26T03:26:53-06:00February 28th, 2012|Categories: Birds, Florida, Fort De Soto County Park, Herring Gulls, Laughing Gulls, Pinellas County, Ring-billed Gulls, Sea Stars|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

I'm glad I didn't turn around to head home when I saw the thick sea fog that morning, if I had I may have missed photographing some of these beautiful things.

The Dangers of Fishing Line and Hooks for Birds and other Wildlife

By |2023-04-25T08:59:50-06:00February 18th, 2012|Categories: Birds, Double-crested Cormorants, Environment, Fishing Line Dangers, Laughing Gulls, Pinellas County, White Ibises|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

The dangers of fishing line and hooks for birds and other wildlife are real and damaging.

Reddish Egret, Laughing and Ring-billed Gulls

By |2021-08-28T11:49:02-06:00January 17th, 2011|Categories: Florida, Fort De Soto County Park, Laughing Gulls, Pinellas County, Reddish Egrets, Ring-billed Gulls|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

There were quite a few Laughing Gulls on and near the shoreline, a few Ring-billed Gulls and two Reddish Egrets hunting on the beach that day.

Laughing Gulls

By |2021-06-19T04:23:49-06:00December 17th, 2010|Categories: Birds, Florida, Fort De Soto County Park, Laughing Gulls, Pinellas County|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Laughing Gulls are quite common on the east and Gulf coastlines of the US, during breeding season they are usually found near saltwater but in nonbreeding season they are known to wander widely.

Pinto Bean Laughing Gulls

By |2023-10-16T03:03:33-06:00September 8th, 2010|Categories: Bird ID, Florida, Fort De Soto County Park, Laughing Gulls, Leucistic, Pinellas County|Tags: , , , , , , , |

On several occasions I have seen and photographed Laughing Gulls that have strange colored markings on their bills and legs. I have assumed that they are partially leucistic though I could be wrong.

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Small In The Frame

By |2023-09-26T08:04:24-06:00August 19th, 2010|Categories: American Oystercatchers, Birds, Brown Pelicans, Florida, Fort De Soto County Park, Laughing Gulls, Palm Warblers, Small in the frame|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Though I quite often photograph birds so that they are what is labled "frame filling" I also like to compose images that show the bird or animals small in the frame.

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