Gulls on the edge of the ice at Bear River MBR – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/3200, ISO 400, Nikkor 18-200mm VR at 52mm, natural light
I know some people don’t get excited about gulls but I do and I was thrilled two days ago at Bear River MBR when I spotted and photographed my first American Herring Gulls of this winter season. While I photographed some of the Great Blue Herons on the frozen marshes that I shared yesterday I was also photographing the Herring Gulls that I found. The gulls I saw were lined up at the edge of the ice shelves and were resting or fishing for prey in the open water.
The photo above was taken with my Nikon D810 with a 18-200mm lens attached, I wanted a grand view of the mix of gull species, the ice, frozen marsh, snow-capped mountains, clouds and sky. The reflections of the mountains in the open water were a bonus. Some of the larger gulls are American Herring and some were California Gulls, the rest were Ring-billed.
American Herring Gull lifting off from a shelf of ice – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/5000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
We only have American Herring Gulls in northern Utah during the winter, they do not breed in the state but they do migrate through the area and some may overwinter here.
I was delighted to photograph this American Herring Gull as it ran across the shelf of ice and lifted off.
I was disappointed that several of my American Herring Gull images were soft but I did see heat waves in the cold air outside the window of the “mobile blind” that I was in. When my sharp images of the gulls and herons were taken I noticed that there was a slight breeze blowing which moved the heat waves away from the front of my lens.
American Herring Gull fishing for prey in a wintry marsh – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 500, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Then I took a series of what I presume was not the same American Herring Gull and I have to admit I was laughing when I took the series because it looked like the gull was falling into the water. I’d seen a Great Blue Heron almost fall into the icy water the day before and I thought this gull might have slipped on the ice like that heron did.
The gull had other things on its mind though.
American Herring Gull gulping down a fish – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/3200, ISO 500, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The American Herring Gull caught a fish and gulped it down quickly before the other gulls saw that it had prey and before they could swipe its catch.
I am hoping to add more photos of American Herring Gulls to my portfolio in the upcoming weeks. Despite the bad reputation of gulls I find them to be beautiful, challenging subjects that grab and hold my interest.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my American Herring Gull photos plus facts and information about this species.
Brilliant series – and how I envy your weather.
When they appear only for a short time, it would make it exciting to spot these gulls. Thirty -five years! that is an accomplishment. I like that spot at the top of the wings. I have seen California Gulls during migration and was surprised how much bigger they were than the Ring-billed, so the Herrings would be a treat .You have captured them in such a pretty environment, Mia What a joy it must be to go there.
Interesting photos.
Gulls are a challenge, buy you are up to it. Love the photos