Tuesday, February 10, 2009

The Birds of Sanibel- Ring-billed Gull



The ring-billed gulls in Florida look a little brighter than ours here in Ohio. Are ours just dirty? Do I not get up to Lake Erie enough to see adults? When we first arrived on Sanibel, Megan and I headed straight to the beach. A storm has washed up tons of sea life- urchins, molluscs, etc., and most were still alive. The shore birds were feasting on this bounty. I think the parts of the ring-billed gull that most intrique me are the red at the base of the mouth and the ring around the eye. What a beautiful bird. It is amazing that I had to travel to Florida to appreciate this species, when we have tons right here in the Midwest.

Tom

9 comments:

  1. I have not seen any gulls moving through the area!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Even though many people deride gulls (in Canada they were often referred to as the "Neufoundland Air Force, *L*) I think there's a beauty to them.
    Lovely photo, of course!

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a terrific closeup! I had not noticed the red at the mouth and eye. I recently had a parking lot full of these and didn't get to see any of these great details! Maybe seeing birds on vacation is just more relaxed and fun :-)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Tom: That is a really cool shot of the gull.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Tom- We seem to have plenty with all the reservoirs and trash dumps around the city.

    Nature Nut- Thanks very much.

    Lana- Quite funny- I enjoyed seeing the pictures of your exhibit by the way, very nice.

    Thanks Mary- It is amazing what 1000 glass can do. I think you hit the nail on the head about photographing "on vacation".

    Tom- Thanks so much.

    Tom

    ReplyDelete
  6. Tom excellent close up, so clear. Anna :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. That is an amazing picture! The scattered sea shells make it a masterpiece!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anna & Robin- Thank you very much.

    Tom

    ReplyDelete