Runty Ring-billed Gull on ice – Nikon D500, f8, 1/2000, ISO 400, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
On January 3rd I photographed two unusual Ring-billed Gulls at my local pond in Salt Lake County, today I am sharing one of those gulls, the runty, second winter Ring-billed Gull. This photo shows an out of focus, normal sized Ring-billed Gull several feet behind the much smaller and daintier looking runty Ring-billed Gull.
Runty Ring-billed Gull stretching – Nikon D500, f8, 1/1000, ISO 400, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
When I first spotted it I had hoped I was seeing a much rarer gull, a Mew Gull, but the bill on the runty gull although smaller than usual is shaped just like a Ring-billed Gulls bill. I did share the images with a North American Gulls Facebook page just to be sure and the consensus was a “runty second winter ring-billed” and I agree.
Runty Second Winter Ring-billed Gull calling – Nikon D500, f8, 1/1600, ISO 400, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The runty Ring-billed Gull was so beautiful though that I wanted to share these images. The gull came in close and I was able to take several close up portraits plus there were even a few of the gull calling.
Portrait of a runty 2nd Winter Ring-billed Gull – Nikon D500, f8, 1/5000, ISO 400, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
In these close up portraits it is much harder, if not impossible, to tell how runty this Ring-billed Gull was because there is nothing to compare it to such as a normal sized Ring-billed Gull but since it was so cooperative I took quite a few portraits of it.
Runty Second Winter Ring-billed Gull close up – Nikon D500, f8, 1/4000, ISO 400, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I think Ring-billed Gulls photographed against a snowy background are stunning and I am glad there was a heavy layer of snow on the ground when I photographed this interesting gull. I love gulls despite how common they can be.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Ring-billed Gull photos plus facts and information about this species.
Extraordinary portraits of a beautiful bird. The eyes are especially vivid. Thanks Mia.
Maybe we should call it Petite!
Runty? Definitely the wrong word. That is such an elegant bird.
Charming photos Mia and fascinating information. I have to confess that I’ve never heard the word “Runty” used in bird classification before, so I definitely learned something today, plus, as someone that was born and raised within smelling distance of the Pacific Ocean, I’ve never seen or even thought of any kind of Gull in or on the snow. Thanks!
I agree with Bob….I always love the subtler, more monochromatic colored birds…like Canada Geese, Sage Thrashers, Chickadees and gulls. The gray eyes are beautiful.
Beautiful images, Mia