Baltic Gull

[amir ben dov]

Canon EOS-1D Mark III
02/04/2010 – 07:44:07
Shutter Speed; 1/1000 sec
F-Stop; f/8
ISO Speed; 200
Fucal Length; 500.0 mm

[Thanaboon Jearkjirm]

Love the banking pose, with good details in black and white, nice environmental show in the OOF background. Just wish the line between green and brown that intersect the wing was less strong.

[amir ben dov]

Hi

thanks for the remarks
i am atttaching a presentation i prepared on the large gulls of israel
PDF - http://www.slideshare.net/warbler/is...-12810-4955578
Powerpoint - http://www.slideshare.net/warbler

the lesser black backed gull is rare and uncertain in israel
infact only 2 sure (ringed) birds were observed
there are some morphological differences that can be studies in the presentation

thanks

[Arthur Morris]

Whatever it is I like it. Nice dorsal view, SH, good EXP, and a relatively pleasing BKGR.

[amir ben dov]

Hi Peter

thanks again
first to say that your second photo is amazing - absolutly amazing one

now for the gull fuscus VS intermedius
you are correct in questioning the taxa
i will find it hard to convince as the bird photo was taken in April and all winter details of intermedius are gone by then

the fetures that can be of use are
1. the mantle colors (coal black in fuscus and "lighter" black - grey in intermedius)
2. moult - intermedius as a soutern taxa will moult earlier while the northern fuscus will delay the full moult
nevertheless April - again is a bad date to determine

so ?
1. there is a need to agree the back Kodak panton and it is hard from the photo
2. baltic are seen in Israel from Sept - mid April so we can see them also in winter plumage which is a bit easier
3. as many of the israel baltic gulls are color ringed we know where are they from and can tell if fuscus fuscus colony or not
the intermedius that came to israel (from south Norway) were ringed and therefore identified
as a principle we do not identify unringed intermedius

sorry fon not beeing more clear, nevertheless trust me - it is Baltic
thanks
amir

[Simon Bennett]

I like the banking pose and setting. Nice work with exposure and crisp presentation.