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"looking for food"


Photo Information
Copyright: omer sozer (eng55) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1158 W: 32 N: 1194] (3660)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-04-14
Categories: Birds
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/2000 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-01-11 2:40
Viewed: 1076
Favorites: 3 [view]
Points: 116
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Hi,
This photo was taken last year at Tuzla(East border of Istanbul)with Canon 1Ds Mark II.
Thanks for looking and Have a great Sunday!

Yellow-legged Gull
Infos from Wikipedia
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Laridae
Genus: Larus
Species: L. michahellis
Binomial name
Larus michahellis
Naumann, 1840, coast of Dalmatia
Synonyms
Larus cachinnans michahellis Naumann, 1840
Larus cachinnans atlantis
Larus cachinnans lusitanius

The Yellow-legged Gull (Larus michahellis) is a large gull of Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. It is sometimes considered to be part of the same species as the Caspian Gull and the combined species is then called Larus cachinnans.
Classification
The taxonomy of the Herring Gull/Lesser Black-backed Gull complex is very complicated. This group has a ring distribution around the northern hemisphere. Differences between adjacent forms in this ring are fairly small, but by the time the circuit is completed, the end members, Herring Gull and Lesser Black-backed Gull, are clearly different species. However, different authorities recognise up to eight species in this complex.

It is now generally accepted that the Yellow-legged Gull is a full species, but until recently there was much disagreement. For example, the BOU in Great Britain placed the Yellow-legged Gull as a subspecies of the Herring Gull, while British Birds magazine split Yellow-legged Gull from Herring Gull but included the Caspian Gull in the former. However, recent DNA research[citation needed] has shown that Caspian Gull is basal to the complex, and cannot be in the same grouping as the other form.

There are two subspecies of the Yellow-legged Gull: michahellis (named for the German zoologist Karl Michahelles), which breeds in the Mediterranean, and atlantis, of the adjacent Atlantic shores. Birds breeding in Portugal and the Atlantic coast of Galicia (and spreading north from there) are sometimes considered to be a third subspecies: lusitanius. Atlantic Ocean birds have darker wings and back by comparison, creating a more pronounced contrast to the white parts.
Distribution
The breeding range is centred around the Mediterranean Sea. In North Africa it is common in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia and increasing in places. Recent breeding has occurred in Libya and Egypt. In the Middle East a few breed in Israel and Syria with larger numbers in Cyprus and Turkey. In Europe there are colonies all along the Mediterranean coast and it also breeds on the west side of the Black Sea. Here it overlaps with the Caspian Gull but there is a difference in habitat with the Yellow-legged Gull choosing sea cliffs. In recent decades birds have spread north into central Europe and first bred in Britain in 1995. The Yellow-legged Gull is also common in Gibraltar, the Canary Islands, Madeira Islands and the Azores.
Many birds remain in the same area all year round but others migrate to spend the winter in mild areas of Western Europe or head south as far as Senegal, the Gambia and the Red Sea. It is reported as a vagrant to northeastern North America and Nigeria.
Description
Nominate L. m. michahellis, ElbaAdults are similar to Herring Gulls but have yellow legs. They have a grey back, slightly darker than Herring Gulls but lighter than Lesser Black-backed Gulls. They are much whiter-headed in autumn, and have more extensively black wing tips with few white spots, just as Lesser Black-backed. They have a red spot on the bill as adults, like the entire complex. There is a red ring around the eye like in the Lesser Black-backed Gull but unlike in the Herring Gull which has a dark yellow ring.
First-year birds have a paler head, rump and underparts than those of the Herring Gull. They have a dark bill and eyes, pinkish grey legs, dark flight feathers and a well-defined black band on the tail. They become lighter un the underparts and lose the upperpart pattern subsequently. By their second winter, birds are essentially feathered like adults, save for the patterned feathers remaining on the wing coverts. However, their billtips are black, their eyes still dark, and the legs are a light yellow flesh color.
The call is a loud laugh which is deeper and more nasal than the call of the Herring Gull.
Diet
These are omnivores like most Larus gulls, and they will scavenge on rubbish tips and elsewhere, as well as seeking suitable small prey in fields or on the coast, or robbing plovers or lapwings of their catches.
Reproduction
Yellow-legged Gulls usually breed in colonies. Eggs, usually three, are laid from mid March to early May and are defended vigorously by this large gull. The nest is a sometimes sparse mound of vegetation built on the ground or on cliff ledges. In some places such as Gibraltar they have started nesting on buildings. The eggs are incubated for 27-31 days and the young birds fledge after 35-40 days.
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To vanderschelden: Crop?eng55 1 01-17 13:29
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Critiques [Translate]

Hallo Omer
It looks as if this bird has opened its parachute and is coming in for a graceful landing. The photography here is praiseworthy. The details captured of the "frozen moment" are really outstanding. An all around super shot, which only deserves praise and congratulations.
Best regards
Anna

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1382 W: 56 N: 4768] (16394)
  • [2009-01-11 2:45]

Hello Omer.
This is a fine in flight shot of the Gull against the blue watter. you have captured such fine detail in the feathers. good natural looking colours with bright oerange legs, well done TFS.
Best regards Siggi

Sevgili dostum Ömer, yine yaptın yapacağını:) tamda havada arayış yahut konma anında yakalamışsın bu martı güzelini. Kanatların çarpışından ortaya çıkan su yuvarları müthiş duruyor dostum. Umarım avini da almıştır sonunda:)
Mükemmel bir sunum dostum. Eline sağlık.
Pek tabi bu da benim favorilerime gidiyor:).
İyi pazarlar...
Sağlıcakla..
Bayram

  • Great 
  • foozi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1339 W: 0 N: 2585] (9117)
  • [2009-01-11 3:03]

Salam Omer,
lovely shot and excellent composition. moment well captured and superbs freezing shot.
Top class nature bird shot.

regards,
foozi

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3001 W: 162 N: 989] (2897)
  • [2009-01-11 3:36]

Hello Omer,
A beautiful and very well-timed capture of the Yellow-legged Gull. Excellent sharpness and colours and I like the rings on the dark water. Excellent work!
TFS and regards, Ulla

Selam Ömer Bey, bir başka mükemmel çekim. Tam da suya dalma anını çekmişsiniz. Elinize sağlık.
Nazım

Merhaba Ömer Bey,ne güzel bir zamanlama.Nefis bir hareker yakalamışsınız.Pervanelerden suyun yüzeyinde oluşan dairesel dalgalanmalar harika görünüyor.Nasıl bir hızla suyun yüzeyine indiyse :)Ellerinize sağlık,müthiş :)

Selam Omer bey, muhtesem bir cekim olmus. sudaki detaylar da cok guzel. Tesekkurler.
Merih

amazing capture , very beautiful and clear details , perfect light and focus ,
TFS,
septimiu

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3825 W: 190 N: 11396] (35111)
  • [2009-01-11 5:27]

Merhaba Ömer,
An excellent in-flight capture of a Yellow-legged Gulltaking off from the water. The wing position, sharpness, light management and composition are great.
Another wonderful shot from you and thanks for sharing it with us!
Best regards,
Ivan

Hi Omer,
this shot is excellent.
So sharp, such a wonderful moment - look at the water under this bird - it looks like a helicopter was making the trouble on the water.
Very well done, thanks
Sabine - wishnugaruda

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1066 W: 0 N: 162] (870)
  • [2009-01-11 6:17]

Selam Ömer Bey, nefis bir an ve harika bir kompozisyon.
Elinize sağlık.
Mehmet

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2921 W: 34 N: 8658] (32266)
  • [2009-01-11 6:20]

Hi Omer. You have captured a good inflight shot of the gull just hovering and looking for food. Good detail in the open wings and natural colours. all with interesting notes. well done TFS.
Nick..

Ömer bey merhaba
tebrikler, harika bir zamanlama ile yine harika bir kare göndermişsiniz. "işte o an" dedirten bir fotoğraf.
sizden çok sık olmasa da her defasında nefis kareler görüyoruz, göz zevkine hitap eden nefis kareler. yine zevkle izledim. elinize sağlık. selamlar.

A finely "erozen" action shot of a nice Larus specimen displaying its wing feathers perfectly Ömer, technical quality of the capture is quite good, so are the detailed notes my friend, what I do not understand is how you managed to miss the all important "Subphylum: Vertebrata" from your taxonomy!
Cheers,
Mehmet

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2405 W: 94 N: 5564] (17694)
  • [2009-01-11 6:40]

Hello Omer,
Beautiful photo in great natural colours. Fantastic timing. Superb sharpnessand an excellent composition and POV.
Regards,
Peter

Çok güzel bir aksiyon olmuş Ömer bey..
emeğinize sağlık...

Hi Omar,


what a great shot of this landing Gull.
Beautiful colours and much details in the feathers.

Gert

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2493 W: 11 N: 6885] (21912)
  • [2009-01-11 9:36]

Hi Omer,

When you post the picture is always something special. You captured this gull taking off from the water perfectly. I thought he was landing until I looked at the water beneath him. He looks so graceful with his wings raised and his legs straight down. Fantastic details of the outstanding wings as well as the rest of the bird. Wonderful colors and an excellent composition.

Jane

Hi Omer,
excellent shot of this Larus michahellis and wonderful moment, good sharp
Well done. TFS
Ferran

  •      
  • maurydv Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1928 W: 71 N: 4599] (16736)
  • [2009-01-11 10:15]

Merhaba Omer,
spettacolare immagine di gabbiano catturato con straordinari tempismo e definizione in una splendida postura di avvicinamento all'acqua, eccellenti POV e DOF, bellissimi i colori e il contrasto con BG dell'acqua. Ho inserito il commento senza accorgermi che avevo esaurito quelli giornalieri. La foto è molto bella e la scelgo fra le mie favorite
TFS.
Maurizio

Super çekim Ömer bey. Gıpta ediyorum. Belgesel gibi.
Tesekkürler.
Bahadır

  • Great 
  • hester Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1515 W: 18 N: 3165] (11638)
  • [2009-01-11 11:48]

Hi Omer

Perfect frozen flight here, I love the shape of the wings. Perfect focus and great composition. Excellent work

TFS

Karan

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3315 W: 148 N: 6113] (18648)
  • [2009-01-11 11:55]

Hello Omer
This looks like the bird is hanging from the sky with string :)
Beautiful capture, so dainty and sharp and clear.
It reminds me of what the wings of an angel might look like
Well done
Janice

  • Great 
  • efsus Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 436 W: 10 N: 738] (3210)
  • [2009-01-11 13:05]

Merhaba Ömer,
Gerçekten de sanki kanatlarında görünmeyen iplerle havada asılmış duruyor. Çok başarılı bir çekim olmuş. Emeğine sağlık.

Hüseyin

Preciosa Omer. Tienes en la galería una serie realmente bella de estas aves. Una gran delicadeza en la captura u oportunidad para el momento del disparo. Excelente trabajo.
Saludos: Josep Ignasi.

Lovely shot Omer, the gull seems suspended in space..
Excellent exposure, color, POV, and great detail in your action capture.
Well composed - Well done!
Howard

Hi Omer,
Very good in-flight capture of Yellow Legged Gull; great sharp details, good POV and composition, impressive lighting.
TFS
Pekka

Hello Omer
Excellent shot of this gull landing in the water, crisp clear details and splendid colors
I like the contrast between the white bird and the dark blue water
Very well done

  • Great 
  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1169 W: 1 N: 5208] (17609)
  • [2009-01-11 18:29]

Hello Omer,
Perfect absolutely perfect, excellent image quality, great action, it looks like angel wings. Thank you Omer.
Rick

  • Great 
  • Heaven Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 811 W: 108 N: 1736] (6060)
  • [2009-01-11 23:09]

Hi Omer!

Thank you and congratulations for this fine picture. This is pure wildlife photography. I like the fact that your pictures shows an action very much. It's dynamic and changes from what we often see.

Kind regards

Markus

Günaydın Ömer Bey. Muhteşem bir anı yakalamış ve sabitlemişsiniz. Elinize sağlık.
Deniz

  • Great 
  • fiyo Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 987 W: 5 N: 2762] (10618)
  • [2009-01-12 2:30]

Merhaba Ömer bey,
Çok zarif, çok estetik bir poz olmuş, harika kompozisyon.
Ellerinize sağlık, selamalr.

Yet another mind-boggling action shot from you, Omer.
Whether the Gull is ready to dive in or has just created that whirl on the water surface is something we can only guess. But what a moment to capture!
The bird's posture, caught in that short split second, is the most elegant and the colours and details are supremely sharp and beautiful.
Thanks for sharing this image and, to our great pleasure, not after a very long interval.
Regards.
Ram

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3591 W: 143 N: 5691] (18607)
  • [2009-01-12 5:50]

Hi Omer.
It is clear that we have this species in our region too. I also like to shoot it sometimes. You managed to reflect an amazing scene and pose of the gull. Posture of the wings and legs, head turn are charming. I also like dark key of the image execution. It is so impressive and nice. And timing is spot on of course. My best wishes and TFS.
Alexei.

hello Omar
thanks
this is a great picture
with good sharpness and colours
i like the bird very mutch

greeting lou

hello omer,
fine capture with perfect timing, the pose is lovely and the composition is fine,
well done,
tfs & regards
pankaj

  • Great 
  • Juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2267 W: 10 N: 2646] (15625)
  • [2009-01-12 10:23]

Hola amigo,
excelente captura,
buen foco y congelación de la imagen,
efectivo trabajo,
saludos Omer.

  • Great 
  • valy67 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1880 W: 59 N: 2915] (8733)
  • [2009-01-12 12:31]

Hello Omer !
Wow, what a marvellous picture ! You have frozen the bird with perfection - excellent details, and such a great pose, with the wings wide open making a big "V" and his feet hanging down. Nice natural colors, and the greyish/blue sea makes a wonderful BG, the bird stands out very nicely. Well done !
Valerie.

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1169 W: 4 N: 3262] (14691)
  • [2009-01-12 20:18]

Omer, One of a best shot from you. Superb composition and the bird open wings. The position of the wings gives an imagination of a parachute as Miss Piggy pointed out. Perfect sharpness and focus. Well done Omer. Ganesh

  • Great 
  • anel Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1730 W: 0 N: 3938] (15810)
  • [2009-01-13 0:33]

Hello Omer,
Simplicity is not always the easiest. Here we have the ideal composition: a subject, a neutral background and a great intuiton of the photographer to make out of it a perfect picture. The vivid pose brings dynamic into your shot, the colors are very subtle and harmonious. Great!
Anne

hello Omer

what a excellent photo of this gull shot with very fine
POV, DOF and framing, you frozen the gull superbly,
i love his stationery flight on the airs, beautiful luminosity
on it with excellent sharpness and details, TFS

Asbed

Hi Omer,
This is an excellent action shot with perfect exposure (which is not easy with all this white) very good composition and tones of colors. The bird contrasts perfectly on this great blue water. Well seen and well done!
Claudine

Hello Omer,
Stunning sharp details of the hovering yellow legged seagull. Excellent POV & timing. TFS.
Regards-Subhash

Selam Omer Bey cok guzel cekmissiniz. Tamda besin ararken... sudaki dalgalanmalar estetik duruyor... Tesekkurler.
Leyla.

  • Great 
  • izler Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 1399 W: 3 N: 30] (506)
  • [2009-01-13 11:52]

merhaba ömer
türün davranış özelliklerinden birini başarıyla sunmuşsun
kompozisyon, zamanlama, bakış açısı ve netlik nefis
eline sağlık
selamlar
izler

Merhaba Omer, superb landing gull, you frozen it very well, great capture, fantastic details and splendid sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio

Salam Omer,

When it comes to shooting birds, you are one of the best here in TN. Excellent framing with tact sharp focus with partially close wings. The ripples on the water are just brilliant in the composition. Stunning image with pleasing colors.

Regards,
Jusni

Hello Omer,
Great captue, wonderful composition, excellent
sharpness, clarity amd depth of field, nice details,
lovely natural colors and good action.
Thanks
Angela

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1899 W: 36 N: 5579] (18518)
  • [2009-01-13 21:20]

Hi Omer,
Outstanding shot and you have freezed an amazing moment here. Very neat and sharp image and I like the ripples it creates on the water and the alignment of the wings. Superb light and exposure handling with perfect DOF. Very nice composition.
TFS.
Sumon

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1978 W: 6 N: 5527] (19673)
  • [2009-01-14 4:29]

Hi Omer,2 point to reach 100..! Wonderful shot,ready for the National Geographic Magazine.Impressive sharpenss and colors,very very professional work,my best compliments,Luciano

Thanks Omer,
As Anna already wrote so well...it's coming in for a graceful landing and you were able to capture that moemnt very well with your tool.
I was wondering what focal length this is and whether it's a crop or not. I don't think this could be a big crop actually.
Well done
TFS
Annick

great pic, try to brighten and increase contrast just a little, TFS Ori

  • Great 
  • iris Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 469 W: 60 N: 947] (3016)
  • [2009-01-18 5:45]

Merhaba Omer,
A cpature par excellence....I am always impressed by the lighting and the atmosphere created as a result of it in your compoitions.This one is no different.The gull looks quite angelic.Very fine PoV, DoF and colours.Those wings are just marvellous to look at.Very well done.
TFS & Cheers
Silpa

Hola Omer,
Extraordinaria captura, magnífica y dinámica composición, con buena iluminación y gran nitidez, saludos
José Ramón

Perfect stop-action shot. Its like the bird is just suspended. Great shot.

I wonder how you make every shot so beautiful, my dearest brother Omer!
I am left stunned by your work!
Cheers!
Goldy
P.S. Thanks for your kind words

  • Great 
  • Suzy Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 10 W: 0 N: 16] (101)
  • [2009-03-23 22:35]

superbe.. really, the gull ready to land, safe landing obviously! beautiful shot in action, very sharp, detailed especially on the wings.. perfect with lovely smooth colors and contrast and moment! like it a lot:)
TFS omer and have a nice day

Ömer bey selamlar,
Güzel zamanlama ...
Martı, gayet kararlı bakıyor ...:)
Renk ve netliği mükemmel bir kompozisyon.
Emeğinize sağlık.
Seyfi

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