I’m always ready for fun, and this goofy, immature Ring-billed Gull provided a bit of fun for me yesterday afternoon at one of my snowy local ponds.
Immature Ring-billed Gull looking goofy – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 500, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The sun had come out for a change, so yesterday afternoon I went down to my local pond. I stopped my Jeep in the parking lot and started photographing the squabble of gulls that were lined up on the snowy bank of the pond without even opening my door.
Some of the gulls looked whiter than the snow. Maybe that is because the snow was getting slushy?
I locked focus on this immature Ring-billed Gull because I liked how I could see water and other out-of-focus gulls in the background.
Then, the gull struck this pose, and I laughed out loud. The gull looked goofy to me. Maybe a little hungover? Ate a bad fish?
Immature Ring-billed Gull looking goofier – Nikon D500, f9, 1/2000, ISO 500, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Soon after that goofy pose, the young gull turned, looked squarely at me as I laughed out loud, and shook its feathers as they raised their wings. To my eyes, the gull looked even goofier than it had in the previous pose.
I giggled, and then giggled some more. This pose brought to mind the image of men puffing up, attempting to exude toughness in those classic movies, strutting around like roosters. Apologies, gentlemen. It’s not your fault; that’s just what those old time movie directors thought the audience wanted to see.
Of course the gull wasn’t being goofy. I just happened to see what happened that way.
Prim and proper immature Ring-billed Gull – Nikon D500, f9, 1/3200, ISO 500, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
After a few seconds of goofy poses, the immature Ring-billed Gull settled down and looked a touch more prim and proper—or as prim and proper as a gull can be.
I photographed other birds yesterday afternoon, including a Sharp-shinned Hawk and a couple of Hooded Mergansers. None of them made me laugh like this immature Ring-billed Gull did. Life is serious enough that when I have the chance to laugh, I am going to do exactly that.
Life is good. Laughter makes it joyful.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Ring-billed Gull photos plus facts and information about this species.
Great pics! White on white and you can still pop out the details. Amazing! You have such a gift. Thanks Mia.
“Squabble” of gulls is the perfect group name for them! 😂 I think this fellow might be a little put out that you caught him with his pants…er…feathers down in that first shot. 😉
I am very, very glad you had this interlude at your local pond. And yes, we do all need laughter.