Ring-billed Gull... breeding plumage and color

[Joseph Przybyla]

I captured this image at Lake Morton in Lakeland, Florida. Most times I prefer full frontal lighting, shadow pointed at the subject. This image not really possible. If I moved to be on the sun angle I would have lost the background, also the bird would have had to give me a look back for the head angle to be correct. Learn about Lake Morton in the Birds AS ART Middle Florida Photography Guide that Artie and I wrote (available soon if not already in the Birds As Art Online Store). Comments and critique welcomed and appreciated. Thank you for viewing.

Nikon D500
Nikon 80-400mm F/4.5-5.6 VRII AF-S ED, image captured at 400mm
1/1000 F/5.6 Matrix Metering EV +1 ISO 500 Auto 1 WB, camera supported by a monopod
Post processed in Lightroom Classic, Photoshop CC 2019 and Neat Image for noise reduction
Cropped for composition and presentation

[kevin Hice]

Nice image Joe whites look great as do the details and sharpness. TFS

[Jack Backs]

i like the background on this image. There's enough contrast with the white head.

[Colin Driscoll]

A pleasing shot with just enough sunlight and shade.

[Bob Smith]

Very nicely exposed for the transition from bright white to deepening tones of grey Joe and lots of fine detail in the eye..

[Joseph Przybyla]

Thanks everyone for viewing and commenting, very much appreciated.