Ring-billed Gull portrait.

[Daniel Cadieux]

One should never pass up a good opportunity, even with "undesirable" species (not my term!). I waited about 15 minutes before this guy did something interesting - this yawn - and then it proceeded to preen, and stretch for a good 20 minutes afterwards. Gulls are the best! Notice that this one is a non-breeding individual. In the spring they have a red eyering, a much more intense yellow bill, a darker "ring" on the bill, and a pure white head rather than speckled.

Canon 40D + 100-400L @400mm, aperture priority, evaluative metering, 1/320s., f/7.1, ISO 640, +1.7 EC, natural light, handheld.

[Aidan Briggs]

I was just out the other day trying to get Heerman's head shots against a green BG. Didn't get the Heerman's but got Western instead.

Lovely yawning pose, exposure control, and HA. One of the best gull portraits I've seen recently.

[Stu Bowie]

Your patience paid off Dan. Well timed, and this angle shows the inside of the beak, and the tongue perfectly. Whites well controlled, and I like the colour of the eye. Well captured.

[Desmond Chan]

even with "undesirable" species (not my term!).

Whose term is that?

May be they are difficult to shoot well...like the crows ? :)

I like the pose. Good colors to boot, too.

[Sabyasachi Patra]

I like the image. The background is great. The open mouth is a big plus. I think no species is undersirable. Just that they should be in the right mouth or right beak/talons. :D

Cheers,
Sabyasachi

[Erich Stevens]

Daniel,

Simply stunning detail, sharpness, and colors. Goes without saying you nailed the exposure, too. I might go in even tighter and try a vertical composition, but it's truly stunning as presented. Top marks!

[denise ippolito]

Beautiful open mouth with plenty of detail. I like the sharp,clear eye. The BG color is pleasing.Well done.

[Gal Shon]

The open mouth and the green BG makes it for me, on thos one.
So is the sharpness and the good looking clear eye.
I wish for a wider crop, top and left.

[Kiran Poonacha]

Lovely image Daniel, loved the expo, great colours and details.. congrats..