Two First Winter Ring-billed Gull Portraits Of The Same Gull

First winter Ring-billed Gull close up – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

Both of these portraits of a first winter Ring-billed Gull are of the same bird taken one minute apart just as the light changed from okay to much brighter where the gull had changed its location but only slightly. They were taken one year ago today when there was a thick blanket of snow on the ground so there was some light reflecting off of the snow that helped to light up the gull.

In this first photo the young Ring-billed Gull had the pond and another bird in the background.

I looked through my Ring-billed Gull portfolio and realized I hadn’t processed any portraits of a first winter (Second Basic Plumage) Ring-billed Gull and I’m not sure why because I find this plumage phase interesting with all of the mottling that gulls this age show on their breasts, heads, napes and necks.

In this photo the mottling appears to be more gray than brown when compared to the image below.

Portrait of a first winter Ring-billed Gull – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

In this photo with the brownish background of sun lit rushes and the brighter, early evening light the mottling appears to be more brown than gray when compared to the image above.

Just a few seconds, a change of background and slightly different light can really make a difference in the colors our eyes see.

I think this first winter Ring-billed Gull is gorgeous, your personal tastes may vary.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Ring-billed Gull photos plus facts and information about this species.

This morning started off cloudy but the road outside was dry, then the rain started and now that has turned to snow. Maybe, just maybe I will get some photos this morning of birds in the falling snow, I hope so.