Ross's Gull, Indigirka Delta. Russia

[Jan van Holten]

In 2019 I made a trip to the Indigirka Delta in the north east of Russia. One of the targets was this beauty, a bird that appeals to the imagination of many birdlovers. I have waited more then four years for this trip and therefore it was pity that the circumstances were not optimal. Like the whole of Europe and Russia, also in this delta it was a season with a low amount of snow during the winter, followed by a very warm and dry southern wind in spring. This resulted is an abnormal dry tundra. From the original 15 pairs of Ross's gull, only 3 remain. The rest was predated. Also the numbers of waders and ducks were very low. Naturally, the mosquitoes thrived.
Almost the only way to see and photograph this species in summer plumage is to pay a visit to a nesting site. From only one or two percent of the world population, the breeding sites are known!! Still happy to have them.

[John Mack]

Beautiful gull. Love the setting. So use to seeings gulls around water and beaches. Light sure was nice. The moment you have captured is nice as well.

[Jan van Holten]

Beautiful gull. Love the setting. So use to seeings gulls around water and beaches. Light sure was nice. The moment you have captured is nice as well.

We changed our day and night rhythm. So sleeping during the day and going out during the night. Better light conditions!!

[David Roach]

Ditto John's comments. Love this canvas overall. TFS

[arash_hazeghi]

I like the calling pose and the display of the environment, the low sun angle has made a pleasing effect.

TFS

[Bill Dix]

Thank you for sharing this beauty.

[Jan van Holten]

I like the calling pose and the display of the environment, the low sun angle has made a pleasing effect.

TFS

Hi, thanks for your comment. But exactly it is more of a "eating" pose. With so many food (mosquitoes) flying around, birds can breed and eat at the same time. Makes it less boring to sit for three weeks on eggs???
Further, I'll like to show some environment. Makes it a somewhat more complete image in my opinion and is also good for the variation in images.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Unique gull image. Lots to like here. Despite the conditions you describe the vegetation looks great in this frame.

[Jan van Holten]

Unique gull image. Lots to like here. Despite the conditions you describe the vegetation looks great in this frame.

They always build there nest in a wet area! And with "dry" I meant, not many small lakes and ponds in the delta like in a normal situation.