I have to admit that, after living in Utah for nearly fifteen years, it feels weird not seeing California Gulls now that I’ve moved away. Really weird.
California Gull drinking from an urban pond – Nikon D500, tripod mounted, f7.1, 1/3200, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Part of that is because, in Utah, I saw California Gulls every month of every year I lived there. These gulls were as much a feature of Utah to me as the Wasatch and Uinta Mountains, the West Desert, Red Rock Country, and the Great Salt Lake.
I admit, I always thought the name “California Gulls” was a mistake. You can read why here.
Yesterday, while going through some photos from last December, I came across these California Gull photos taken almost one year ago. It dawned on me that I won’t be seeing this gull species like I used to.
California Gull giving me the eye – Nikon D500, tripod mounted, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
But I took photos of them at every opportunity, and I am not sorry about that. I have no regrets for the photos I have taken—only for the ones I couldn’t take, should have taken, or missed due to circumstances beyond my control.
I truly like and enjoy photographing gulls, and although I don’t see them as often here as I did in Utah, that has only made me appreciate them more. Before long, I should be seeing some of the gulls that show up here during the winter, and then new ones again in the spring.
Yeah, life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my California Gull photos plus facts and information about this species.
Beautiful images a gull I have never seen, one showed up at Siesta Key the last winter I spent in Florida and although I visited four times never did see it and it would have been a lifer.
I thought gulls were everywhere!
I am a fan of gulls. Feisty birds. I look forward to seeing what gulls replace the California ones for you.
Glad you came across these shots, Mia. I always enjoy our California Gulls and other gull species (especially since I retired and no longer have to dodge their “ammunition” as I cross the school campus 😉).