ML94232371

Age and sex

Adult, Unknown sex - X

Media notes

Minimal amount of white before the black primary tips on the spread wing, but white apicals present

Observation details

FRS, submitted 04.13.18 Small dark gray mantled gull with a complete black hood, reddish bill, black legs, large, white eye crescents and white apicals on folded primaries. Black hood was complete without any signs of white molting as in the one seen the day prior in Starke Co. Bird had a noticeable pink flush as can be seen in the photos. Bird was mainly stationary while present, facing into the winds. Probable passing migrant that landed briefly, or had been foraging at the top of the landfill. Bird was not present at the location it was sighted when I first arrived, but subsequently landed. It later took flight with the rest of the gulls, but was not seen again after they had landed. Did not see it at Lake of the Woods following this observation. Found my own bird, in St. Joseph Co. It's name is A. Riot. It's A. Riot. Not that I actually believe that a person who is the first to sight a wild animal in a small geographic location can actually claim ownership of such animal, and extort some sort of payment for future viewing by others. That's too much in line with a capitalistic consumerism mentality for me. Wild animals can not be owned by humans. Not until they reel them in or shoot them. Except for parasites. Humans can own tapeworms. But please keep them to yourself. Second one reported in St. Joseph Co. Other one was seen @ 2.3 miles SW of Prairie View Landfill https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S29601474 Relative bill size to head of Laughing Gull can be seen in this checklist https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S55750840 Short video

Technical information

Model

COOLPIX P600

ISO

100

Focal length

722.4 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire, auto

f-stop

f/7.3

Shutter speed

1/800 sec

Dimensions

2496 pixels x 2447 pixels

Original file size

1.12 MB