Portrait in Motion

[William Dickson]

Canon 1DX
f/4 500mm with 1.4
f/7.1
1/2500
ISO 800

This is one from a couple of weeks ago when I was photographing the Black Headed Gulls at sunset on the loch. This Juve Herring Gull(I think) gave me quite a good HA as it flew directly towards me.

Will

[Glenn Pure]

Will, this is where the 1DX comes into its own with these fast shots of a bird moving towards you. I don't think my little Canon could keep up. This is a great shot to my eye with nice turn of head, superb detail, great handling of tone and good colour. The nice tight portrait view is great. Composition is tricky on these. I think this one works but could also see a bit off the bottom of the frame working too. Nice work!

[Jonathan Ashton]

Well focused good exposure and a pretty unusual composition, it all makes for a successful image in my view.

[Mike Poole]

Very striking shot Will, I like this a lot. Not easy to get something so dynamic and interesting of such an everyday bird but you've managed it here. The turn of the head is what really makes it for me.

Mike

[William Dickson]

Thanks for that guys.

Will

[Arthur Morris]

Very nice. Not sure what it is but I doubt that it is a Herring Gull ... The bill looks way too small and the ring around the bill and the orange tip do not make any sense. Please post the exact location and the date ...

thanks with love, artie

[William Dickson]

Hi Artie, thanks for that. The image was taken on 15th November, at Birnie Loch, Fife, Scotland.

Will

[Arthur Morris]

Thanks Will, May I post it to a gull ID site?

with love, artie

[William Dickson]

Thanks Will, May I post it to a gull ID site?

with love, artie

Yes please do Artie. I'm now swaying towards it being a Common Gull. Although the American Ringed Bill Gull also comes to mind.

Will

[Arthur Morris]

Thanks Will. The question is can Common Gull show the faint ring on the bill. Is Ring-billed Gull a regular visitor???

with love, artie

[William Dickson]

Apparently the Common Gull can show this feature during the winter months. The Ring Billed Gull is quite rare in these parts, if it is one, it will be a first for me.

Will

[Arthur Morris]

Posted your image and comments to the North American Gulls site here.

Oskari Härmä wrote: Yes, this is quite typical looking Larus canus. Of course eye looks relatively pale, but that is mostly because direct light, but many Common gulls have paler type of eye.

Like you, I am good with Common Gull.

with love, artie

[Stuart Philpott]

Will an incredible image of a gull it's so different and so well focused and detailed on the head. will i've also enjoyed the dialogue with artie as straight away the id of herring ,didn't feel right I grew up surrounded by them Will,never seen one like this,cheers a joy to view and more learnt !!

many thanks

stu