ML27119321

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Media notes

This first-spring Glaucous-winged Gull, photographed by Curtis A. Marantz on 3 April 2016 at Salt Creek Beach, Salton Sea State Recreation Area, Riverside County, California, appears to be the same bird that was initially reported at this site on 31 March by Nancy Christensen.

Observation details

After multiple trips to this site over the last week I finally managed to find the continuing Glaucous-winged Gull that was initially reported at this site on 31 March by Nancy Christensen. I saw this bird twice today, both times right along the shoreline amid large flocks of gulls, the first time just south of the creek and the second time a short distance to the north (and it eventually flew ever further to the north, where I lost it). Given that I concentrated on taking photos of this bird, I suspect my photos will reveal more about it than I can recall from what I saw in the field. This was a conspicuously large heavy-bodied gull with what appeared to be a heavy, black bill that seemed to expand slightly toward the tip. The forehead was sloping and the crown was rounded on a head that was unremarkable in size for a large gull. The neck was unremarkable in length and mass for a large gull, yet it was conspicuous in that the bird was alert and with the neck outstretched. I did not think the wings appeared to be particularly long, but I failed to note the primary projection or the length of the tail. The plumage was relatively uniformly a light, grayish-brown color, seemingly a bird more grayish on the back. The wings and even the wingtips may have been a little more brownish than the back, but they did not contrast as any darker. I also noted an uneven pattern on the coverts but none of the fine checkering that is typical of a first-winter Thayer’s Gull. The head, neck, and underparts contrasted little with the upperparts, though they did have some paler clouding. I noted only when this bird flew off that the tail was relatively uniformly brown and maybe a bit darker than the wings or body. As noted above, the bill was mostly if not entirely blackish and the eyes were dark, but I was unable to discern their precise coloration and I cannot now recall noting the color of the legs and feet.

Technical information

Model

Canon EOS 7D Mark II

Lens

EF400mm f/5.6L USM

ISO

320

Focal length

400 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire, auto

f-stop

f/8.0

Shutter speed

1/1600 sec

Dimensions

3301 pixels x 2000 pixels

Original file size

1.15 MB