Ring Billed Gull

[Andrew Merwin]

Mark IV, 100-400@400, f/5.6, 1/2000, ISO 400, +1 ev, ~90% FF.


Montana has its own Bosque — Freezeout Lake. It is located south of Glacier National Park along the Rocky Mountain Front. Thousands of migrating geese rest here for 3-4 days before continuing their migration. I shot this ring billed gull there in 30+ MPH winds with the temperature at about 45˚F. The gull was flying into the wind & consequently flying slowly.

[gary ellwein]

A strong simply stated image. Techs look good with sweet light and bg. The snows in my image below may be in or through your area by now. Wind chill below freezing with take your breath away wind is spring time in the Rockies.

Gary

[Kerry Perkins]

Hi Andrew, nice flight capture in lovely light. The warm color temp works really well with the bg colors. I do find the horizon cutting the upper wing to be a bit of a detraction. The gull feels a little tight in the frame, if you have canvas to give all around I think it would make the image stronger. The whites are pretty hot on the top of the head and on the upper wing. The red channel is almost clipped in those areas. I would suggest lightening the eye and face a bit to bring it out of the shadow.

Cold weather seems to go along with winter migration. Mornings in Bosque can be downright brutal as well!

[Jeff Cashdollar]

Andrew,

Gosh, photography sure pulls out the varied opinions that is why I love it so. I like the colors intersecting with the subject it draws the eye to the bird and the colors compliment each other. The composition is both original and beautiful, you photographed the mood not just the subject - well done. Kerry is right about the hot spots and when photographing whites they need to be correct - little slow on the shutter. Check the histogram and when the sun reflects off the bright spots you need more shutter to compensate. The background is powerful, another example of great photography in less than great weather.