Thayer's? Gull

Gallery: AvianPosted October 7, 2017165 views5 comments

I think, though the gulls seem to be tough. I spent a couple of days at Grayland Beach State Park on the Washington coast this past week. Unfortunately, there were almost no shorebirds so I was limited to a few gull shots and some too distant shots of pelicans. I think this is a Thayer's, but if anyone has a better informed ID, please note it.

7Dii, Sigma 150-600 C @ 232 mm, hand held, f/8, 1/2500, iso 800, manual exposure. Processed in LR & PS CC. Cropped to a 12.2 MP 4x5 before resizing. Taken at 8:35 am on October 4th.

Your comments and critiques are greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Comments

5 comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on October 7, 2017 at 9:20 PM

Very nice lighting and I like the placement of the bird in the frame as well as the reflection here Dennis devil

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

Comment posted by Ajit Huilgol on October 7, 2017 at 9:51 PM

I, too, like the placement of the subject in the frame. I also like the purposeful stride forward, and the perfect head angle. I might boost the contrast on the gull a wee bit, though?

Registered on December 19, 2008, 302 Posts, 2055 Comments

Comment posted by David Schoen on October 8, 2017 at 3:08 PM

I agree that this is a good composition with respect two the placement of the bird in the frame. Very good detail and I like the reflection. The ID is difficult. It could also be a Ring Billed Gull based on what I see in my Sibley guide. But I am no expert on gull ID.

Registered on November 6, 2006, 1213 Posts, 4587 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Zablotny on October 9, 2017 at 7:46 AM

Hi Dennis,

Thayer's gulls are now considered a subspecies of Iceland gull. Thayer's gulls also have dark eyes and your bird has a light yellow iris. This is a transitioning herring gull. The bill is quite large, the head is somewhat flattened, and the legs are a dull pink which are all characteristics of 3rd year herring gulls. Comp is very good and I like the reflection which provides added interest to the photo.................Jim

Registered on January 17, 2004, 705 Posts, 3594 Comments

Comment posted by Peter J. Morrissey on October 9, 2017 at 1:12 PM

Hi Dennis
The reflection and tough guy stride make the shot.
Peter

Registered on July 3, 2011, 188 Posts, 969 Comments