A little over a week ago I was photographing a perched Loggerhead Shrike on Antelope Island when I noticed a California Gull flying towards me with a bill full of something that didn’t look like food.
California Gull with nesting material – Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/4000, ISO 500, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light
As the gull came closer to me I could see that it was some type of vegetation and I knew then it had a bill full of nesting material. California Gulls nest nearby on Egg Island and that is the direction that the gull was flying towards. It was the first time I have been able to photograph a California Gull with nesting material so I was quite pleased. though I wish I had backed up my zoom all the way, I might have been able to fit the whole bird in the frame.
Perched California Gull – Nikon D200, f8, 1/1250, ISO 400, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light
I photographed this California Gull along the causeway to the island last year, it looks like it is in the middle of a molt because some of the feather on the wing are a touch ragged.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my California Gull photos plus facts and information about this species.
I like how you framed the flying gull shot.
Thank you Julie, that gull was very close when I took the image.
That’s one big mouthful of material! Great captures; I love the composition on the first photo.
Thanks Tammy, it was a huge mouthful of nesting material.
Nice shot Mia. Love the whites on these beautiful birds. Carol
Thanks Carol, their whites are beautiful!