ML112654301

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

Molting into 2nd winter plumage. Because the wing coverts were a dark slaty-gray, this bird was originally identified as a Lesser Black-backed Gull. We had at our disposal a 82mm Lieca scope with 25-50 magnification which of course provided better views of the bird than the camera. When we viewed the bird, between, 1620 and 1700, it was to the south of us and the sun was toward the west, though it was not back lit it was side lit so we were able to view the bird in good light as it moved about. That said the pictures appear darker than the actual conditions indicate which is most likely attributable to the higher magnification of the photos. Again we were on the north side of the river and the bird was on the south side at least 200 meters distant. So though the photos give the impression of overcast conditions, it was actually mostly sunny with good light. In the course of examining the bird we clearly noted that the bird had dull pink legs, not quite as pink as the HEGU X GWGU hybrids, but still decidedly pink with no conspicuous hint of blue, green, gray, or yellow tones. The bi-colored bill was clearly flesh-pink with a well-demarcated black tip. The eyes were dark. Though the mantle color was diffuse the wing coverts were dark, slate gray not medium gray as in an adult California Gull. The bird was obviously still molting and ragged looking with secondary feathers missing and others growing in as seen in the photos.

Technical information

Model

COOLPIX P900

ISO

100

Focal length

714 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire, auto

f-stop

f/6.5

Shutter speed

1/250 sec

Dimensions

1280 pixels x 960 pixels

Original file size

294.08 KB