Just another blue-sky gull. But the Glaucous Gull, while not truly rare, is uncommon enough around here that this one (2nd year, I think) captured the attention of all the birders on our pelagic trip in March, when he joined the group of Herring Gulls following the chum slick behind our boat. In fact there was so much gull action that it was hard to get a clear shot of him. 90% of full-frame. (Did I mention that we were in 4-foot seas, 15-20 knot breeze, and my fingers were frozen?) Sorry about the damaged primary.
D7000 | 80-400 VR @ 80mm | ISO 500 | 1/4000s @ f/7.1 | -0.7 EV to protect the sunlit whites, based on blinkie check (too dark, adjusted in RAW transfer).
Bill, even before reading KD's comment, I too like the backlit effect through the wings. Good wingspread, and good detail throughout. Looks like they tuck their legs and feet completely away whilst out over the oceans.
Thank you all for looking at just another gull. I appreciate the comments.
Joe, I did think this could go either horiz. or vert., but I decided to leave it pretty much as-shot. It's true that the subject measures more vertically than horizontally, so I should give it a try. Thanks for the suggestion.