orbital ring

Three California Gull Photos

By Mia McPherson|January 19th, 2022|Categories: Antelope Island State Park, Birds, California Gulls, Davis County, Salt Lake County, Utah|Tags: adult, breeding plumage, California Gull, close up, Definitive Alternate Plumage, desert island, Erodium cicutarium, gape, grass, grasses, gull, gulls, Larus californicus, near breeding plumage, orbital ring, portrait, Redstem Filaree, resting, urban, wildflowers, winter|

While taking a short break yesterday morning I went down to my local pond for a few minutes and took a few California Gull photos while I was there.

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Winter California and American Herring Gull Portrait Comparisons

By Mia McPherson|March 3rd, 2018|Categories: American Herring Gulls, Birds, California Gulls, Davis County, Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area, Salt Lake County, Utah|Tags: American Herring Gull, California Gull, comparison, dark iris, gape, gonydeal, gonydeal spot, gull, gulls, Larus californicus, Larus smithsonianus, light iris, orbital ring, portrait, profile view|

We have the Ring-billed and California Gulls in northern Utah year round but the Herring Gulls are only winter visitors to this area.

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The Subdued Beauty of Mourning Doves

By Mia McPherson|May 16th, 2016|Categories: Birds, Box Elder County, Mourning Doves, Utah|Tags: adult, beauty, boulder, dove, doves, earthy tones, iridescence, iridescent colors, lichen, male, Mourning Dove, orbital ring, perched, pointed tail, subdued, tiny bill, Zenaida macroura|

The subdued beauty of Mourning Doves is often overlooked especially if there are more colorful birds around but for me their beauty is undeniable.

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Male Yellow-headed Blackbird Portrait

By Mia McPherson|April 3rd, 2016|Categories: Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Birds, Box Elder County, Utah, Yellow-headed Blackbirds|Tags: adult, blackbird, blackbirds, close up, feathers, male, marsh, orbital ring, portrait, Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus, Yellow-headed Blackbird|

I was able to take this male Yellow-headed Blackbird portrait because the bird seemed more intent on catching midges than being nervous about me.

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