One-Legged Ring-Billed Gull

[Melissa Groo]

Canon 5D Mark II
24-105mm
Handheld

ISO 640
1/3200
f/5.6

Taken at Conneaut, Ohio, a few weeks ago. I was standing near a family feeding the gulls. It was sunset and the light was really this golden and lighting up the gulls really nicely. It was fun using the wide angle lens for a change on birds!
I cloned out a part of another gull that was in the frame, cropped a bit all around, lightened shadows on belly, sharpened.
All comments and critiques welcomed and greatly appreciated. Thank you for looking.

[Karl Egressy]

Beautiful light and details, Melissa.

[Alan Murphy]

Love the light and pose. Great work. Wish both legs were showing.

[Melissa Groo]

Love the light and pose. Great work. Wish both legs were showing.

tHanks Alan and Karl. Alan--I thought it was actually missing a leg as I have a number of shots with it with only one leg descended, whereas all the others had two dangling. But maybe you're right and it was just tucked up there.

[Dan Busby]

Hi Melissa. With Ring-bills you never know - they so often get into trouble situations that many actually do loose a leg. But they can also tuck one away so it isn't seen even when landing or hopping around. In any case, this is very interesting lighting - takes the white gull look to another realm. Very nice detail under the bird. Interesting that the one clear eye and the one clear leg both show up on the same side - kind of shifts the balance of the photo to one side. Makes an interesting photo out of an ordinary species.

[Josh Clark]

Great shot Melissa! Beautful light on this one and good job using a your wide angle lens on this guy. Beautiful detail on the underbelly and wing feathers.
If you haven't been to Conneaut in August/September I highly suggest you go. That is where my avatar photo was taken actually. It's an awesome time with the shorebirds and nothing beats laying down in the water for those low angle shots chasing after these guys.
I do have a question though. Several of us saw they put up a observation tower there (a big one). Wondering where exactly the tower is located. Lots of us local Ohio shooters (and others I'm sure) are hoping the tower won't be in the background of shots for the fall shorebirds. Would much appreciate the information. Great job again on this photo.

[Dumay de Boulle]

Amazing IQ, and great light. Astounded how often I see gulls with one leg....I find myself wishing for more clouds

[Robert Holguin]

Wow!! Beautiful image. Love the golden light, excellent wing spread, sharp, and I really like the comp.
Well done.

[Wynand van Wyk]

The light here is lovely, with great detail. Well exposed too! Haven't seen them with one leg before, so well done indeed!

[Melissa Groo]

Thank you so much for all the comments!

[Melissa Groo]

Great shot Melissa! Beautful light on this one and good job using a your wide angle lens on this guy. Beautiful detail on the underbelly and wing feathers.
If you haven't been to Conneaut in August/September I highly suggest you go. That is where my avatar photo was taken actually. It's an awesome time with the shorebirds and nothing beats laying down in the water for those low angle shots chasing after these guys.
I do have a question though. Several of us saw they put up a observation tower there (a big one). Wondering where exactly the tower is located. Lots of us local Ohio shooters (and others I'm sure) are hoping the tower won't be in the background of shots for the fall shorebirds. Would much appreciate the information. Great job again on this photo.

Thanks for your kind comments, Josh. I will definitely be back there this summer for the shorebirds! I really liked that place and think it's a great trap for migrants. Wish I could answer you about the tower but I have no idea.... maybe ask on the local birding listserv there in Ohio?