Winter Ring-billed Gulls – From Low Light To Afternoon Light

Winter Ring-billed Gulls

Winter Ring-billed Gull eating snow – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 1000, +2.0 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

I woke yesterday morning to about four inches of fresh snow on the ground, heavy cloud cover and more falling snow. I felt like I had been cooped up inside for too long because of the gray weather and since there was falling snow I decided to see if any birds were at the local pond to photograph despite the low light conditions. I was hoping to get photos of birds where the big, fluffy flakes of snow would show in the images.

Instead I watched and photographed a Ring-billed Gull eating the fresh snow and I was able to achieve more high key type images of gulls this winter. Of the photos I took of this Ring-billed Gull eating the snow I liked this one the best because of its tipped head and the snow on its bill. I also like the big clump of snow in front the gull’s left leg, how well the gull stood out from the snow that surrounded it plus the high key effect.

From Low Light To Afternoon Light

Winter Ring-billed Gull in flight in afternoon light – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 640, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

Later in the afternoon the sun came out for a bit so I went back to the pond to look for more birds to photograph in the nice light and found myself focused on yet another gull. I had much better light when I photographed this Ring-billed Gull in flight over the pond than I had earlier in the day.

I can’t say that I prefer one of these Ring-billed Gull images over the other, the low light image is as appealing to me as the one I took in afternoon light. I enjoy them both.

Life is good.

Mia

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