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California Gull
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
I came across this gull at Mountain Lake in the Presidio of San Francisco, a favorite place for joggers and people out for a good stroll. The California gull, Larus californicus is a medium sized gull with the head, neck, tail and under surface white; back pale gray; wings black-ended; bill yellow, dark-banded near tip, with orange spot on lower mandible (jaw); legs and feet greenish yellow. Immature birds are mixed dark and light brown. Voice: a high kyarr, or repeated kee-kee-kee. Nest: On the ground of islands in lakes. Built with a scant lining of grasses, twigs, or feathers. Eggs are 3, buff-gray, blotched with dark brown, 2 5/8” x 1 ¾”.
Distribution: Most arrive at Mono Lake during the spring and depart late summer or autumn. In former years up to 1,000 pairs nested on Paoha Island in Mono Lake. Other large colonies were found on lakes in Nevada and Utah. Adults often visit Lake Tahoe (Perhaps from Pyramid Lake), and a few less often fly to other Sierran lakes, even those situated at 10,000 feet elevation. On the water the gull rides high, with wing tips crossed over the back. In the air the long pointed wings sweep in graceful arcs or are spread as the bird circles or glides. |
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THANK YOU GARY, THIS LOOKS GREAT! :)
HOWARD
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