photo sharing and upload picture albums photo forums search pictures popular photos photography help login
Erik Bruhnke | all galleries >> Gulls >> Laughing Gull > Laughing Gull (1st winter bird, molting into spring plumage)
previous | next
12-MAY-2009

Laughing Gull (1st winter bird, molting into spring plumage)

Maslowski Beach, Ashland, WI

Very rare gull for Chequamegon Bay... This gull shows a hazy wash of dark gray throughout the face (not black), and lacks a clean cut contrast in the back of the head (Franklin's Gulls show a more solid edge between the dark head and pale neck). Note the dense/thick appearance of the white eye crescents. Also, this bird has a pale gray wash throughout the chest region, which is characteristic of non-adult Laughing Gulls. One of the most significant fields marks observed was the all-dark primaries on thsi bird. Franklin's Gulls should show some degree of white tips throughout the primaries, depending on age. Although a field mark observed better through photos, the bill on this bird is more elongated than a Franklin's Gulls' bill.

Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS
1/500s f/3.2 at 8.3mm iso100 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
share
Type your message and click Add Comment
It is best to login or register first but you may post as a guest.
Enter an optional name and contact email address. Name
Name Email
help private comment