western gull

Gallery: AvianPosted April 9, 2011234 views17 comments

I find gulls to be great subjects...and yes, this bird eventually swallowed the starfish.

Taken in Crescent City, CA

40D, 1-400, 6.3 @ 1/200 of a second, - 2/3 of a stop, ISO 400

Comments

17 comments

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on April 9, 2011 at 9:38 AM

Wow! That is quite the mouthful. Intriguing light with the dark rocks.

Registered on November 20, 2003, 458 Posts, 4836 Comments

Comment posted by Dottie Short on April 9, 2011 at 10:54 AM

Now that's a mouthful! Nice exposure to show off the white bird, which results in a subdued BG. I can't believe that the gull was able to swallow the starfish.

Registered on April 12, 2010, 61 Posts, 375 Comments

Comment posted by Matt Shellenberg on April 9, 2011 at 11:09 AM

This is cool, Dan. It took me a minute to figure out what I was seeing. I like the lighting, putting emphasis on the gull. Nice job on the composition.

Registered on February 6, 2008, 168 Posts, 3118 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on April 9, 2011 at 11:43 AM

Terrific image! Quite dramatic lighting. Strong head-on view and composition.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Olsen on April 9, 2011 at 11:49 AM

Very cool image! I didn't realize gulls ate star fish.
The clarity of the light colored bird against the dark background and the bright colors of the starfish come together to make an interesting and pleasing composition.
Of course my wife differs as she feels sorry for Patrick

Congrats on a well done photograph!

Registered on October 19, 2006, 306 Posts, 1571 Comments

Comment posted by Doug Gilham on April 9, 2011 at 12:10 PM

A first for me, never have I seen a gull, or anything for that matter eating a starfish. Great capture, light , comp and detail. Very well done

Registered on September 20, 2009, 77 Posts, 489 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Willison on April 9, 2011 at 6:53 PM

Terrific image swallowing that starfish. And I really like the dark bg, the gull pops out of it.

Registered on April 10, 2009, 292 Posts, 3967 Comments

Comment posted by Ashley Vincent on April 9, 2011 at 9:32 PM

What an amazingly unique image Dan! Can't help thinking the Gull's trying to say, "Ummm, do I have something in my teeth?" - LOL ;^p

Seriously, wonderful interest factors you have here and I love the dark background that sets off the primary subjects so well, very well done :^)

Registered on March 1, 2011, 154 Posts, 2083 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on April 9, 2011 at 9:49 PM

Very cool shot Dan, love the starfish. Looking at the smaller image I thought it was too dark, but the larger image looks terrific.

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on April 10, 2011 at 1:58 AM

Terrific capture in wonderful light. Simply excellent, Dan!

Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on April 10, 2011 at 8:26 AM

Great image. That mouthful is just such a great catch. Good exposure on the whites and really pops against that dark background. Nicely done.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on April 10, 2011 at 9:16 AM

Umm, do you like my disguise? Fantastic shot and a great capture of a behavior I've never seen. Well done. Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on April 10, 2011 at 1:03 PM

Wow thats pretty cool. I like the contrast of the bird and BG and the starfish is awesome

Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments

Comment posted by Derrick Lipinski on April 10, 2011 at 10:27 PM

A very cool photo, Dan!

Registered on October 5, 2007, 58 Posts, 2039 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on April 11, 2011 at 10:11 AM

Love it Dan. Not much to add except well done.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Oscar Dewhurst on April 11, 2011 at 4:24 PM

Really like this Dan - the dark background is great

Oscar

Registered on August 6, 2009, 85 Posts, 502 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on April 12, 2011 at 7:44 AM

Love how well the gull stands out from the dark background Dan. The partially swallowed starfish adds great interest for me. The gull & starfish look sharp and I can see plenty of detail. I like this a lot

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments