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Black-headed Gull


Black-headed Gull
Photo Information
Copyright: Thijs Hoomans (thijs) Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 36 W: 4 N: 42] (168)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-01-04
Categories: Birds
Camera: Fuji FinePix S5500
Exposure: f/3.1, 1/250 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-01-11 3:47
Viewed: 414
Points: 10
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
a few days ago, i went outside and took my camera with me. When i was standing on a bridge, some ducks flew towards me. They are used to be fed, so they thought i had some bread for them.
I was taking some shots of the ducks, when i discovered i had a little friend next to me. This Black-headed Gull was attracted bij the ducks, and wanted his share, This was a great oppertunity to take some pictures of him. You can really see how the black head is replaced bij white. With some black spots left.

I reduced some noise, and increased the contrast a bit.

The Black-headed Gull (Wikipedia)

The Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus) is a small gull which breeds in much of Europe and Asia, and also in coastal eastern Canada. Most of the population is migratory, wintering further south, but some birds in the milder westernmost areas of Europe are resident. Some birds will also spend the winter in the northeastern United States.

This gull is 38-44cm long with a 94-105 cm wingspan. It breeds in colonies in large reedbeds or marshes, or on islands in lakes, nesting on the ground. Like most gulls, it is highly gregarious in winter, both when feeding or in evening roosts. It is not a pelagic species, and is rarely seen at sea far from coasts.

The Black-headed Gull is a bold and opportunist feeder and will scavenge in towns or take invertebrates in ploughed fields with equal relish.

In flight, the white leading edge to the wing is a good field mark. The summer adult has a chocolate-brown head (not black, despite the name), pale grey body, black tips to the primary wing feathers, and red bill and legs. The hood is lost in winter, leaving just dark vertical streaks.

This species takes two years to reach maturity. First year birds have a black terminal tail band, more dark areas in the wings, and, in summer, a less fully developed dark hood.

This is a noisy species, especially at colonies, with a familiar "kree-ar" call. Its scientific name means "Laughing Gull".

The Black-headed Gull is the prefectural bird of Tokyo and the Yurikamome mass transit system is named after it.
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2975 W: 148 N: 4398] (14271)
  • [2008-01-11 9:45]

Hi Thijs.
Thanks for kind words and chance to meet you here. I like your intro and gallery. I hope you will enlarge it very soon.

This shot is very interesting despite it has one weak point – sharpness. It is composed perfectly. You managed to reflect the state of mood of the charming gull. DOF is excellent, colours are wonderful. Especially I like exact exposure. BG is well blurred and coloured. My best wishes and TFS.
Alexei.

  • Great 
  • EOSF1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1286 W: 104 N: 4539] (20227)
  • [2008-01-12 10:01]

Hello Thijs, good portrait of this Gull, the composition is good, the exposure too but the sharpness could be better. Good effort my friend ! Well done, thanks !

Mario

Hi Thijs,
you must like black headed gull like me. Recemtly I posted two shots of this species. It also has winter plumage. You capture it very well with nice POV, composition. good work. thanks
best wishes
Ahmet

Hoi mijn vriend Thijs ga ik in het Frans door want ik spreek niet zeer Nederlands, maar ik leer jouwe mooie taal

C'est une très bonne capture de cette mouette, j'aime beaucoup le background qui met bien en évidence l'oiseau
Bravo,
amicalement,
Pat

  • Great 
  • Elanor (50)
  • [2008-02-05 6:39]

Heel mooie foto, zachte kleuren en toch perfect scherp!

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