ML610812503

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

I had thought is was most likely a Bonaparte's Gull based on timing of movement and seeing a messy black-headed medium-to-smaller sized gull. The gull was smaller than RBGU's around (30 feet to right). This is a black-headed gull still showing a partial but prominent black hood, some white mottled white near front of head (winter plumage) and photo shows white around eyes and a smallish bill. I find no examples of a November Bonaparte's still showing black hood to this degree or close, while this bird fits well with what I see from FRGU in comparison with November plumages from Macauley Library. Bill shape and size appeared smaller and consistent with FRGU. Seems incredibly unlikely to be a LAGU with plumage, impression of bill, and timing well out of typical range. Same photo attached twice with second having exposure adjusted to brighten up dark areas. Looks like there are still a few FRGU making their way through the area east of mountains (Maxwell, Ute Lake) Seems an odd filter tweak here... Rare in Mora outside 4/7 - 9/30. Rare flagged in Colfax, San Miguel, but only starting on 11/5 (ok 3/18 - 11/4) (11/4 is ok in either county north or south; anytime 10/1 and later rare in between those two?).

Technical information

Model

NIKON D850

Lens

500.0 mm f/5.6

ISO

200

Focal length

500 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire

f-stop

f/8.0

Shutter speed

1/320 sec

Dimensions

767 pixels x 510 pixels

Original file size

322.37 KB