<< Previous Next >>

Black-Backed Gull


Black-Backed Gull
Photo Information
Copyright: Janice Dunn (Janice) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3460 W: 145 N: 5905] (17690)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-05-17
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 30d, Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/800 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-05-19 3:29
Viewed: 589
Points: 20
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The King Swimming for his Supper

Black-Backed Gull - larus dominicanus
Maori: Karoro).

As I was walking along the beach one late afternoon at the weekend I saw this Black-Backed Gull walking at the water’s edge. But as I got closer it started to swim away – out of reach from me. Then he decided to spread his wings – getting ready to take off. He needn’t have worried; it was too cold for me to put my feet in the water.

This adult Karoro is the only large gull in New Zealand. It has a wingspan of 120cm.

In the adult, the head, neck, underparts, rump and tail are white; the back and upper wings are black with a narrow white trailing edge. The bill is yellow with a red spot at the tip of the lower bill. The eye is pale yellow and the legs greenish yellow.

The Black–Backed Gull has adapted well to human intervention over the centuries, from taking advantage of an abundant supply of insects and small animals off pasturelands, scavenging off refuse tips in the urban environment and foraging along the coastal front.

The Black-Backed Gull is a circumpolar navigator, living in and around the coasts of South America, South Africa, southeast Australia and New Zealand. Being a scavenger by nature, it lives and breeds in a multitude of places, from rocky ledges to open areas of pasture.

They love fish, any sort, even the fish and chips out of newspaper wrappings that many people share with them … or even MacDonalds, sandwiches, biscuits, or ANY crumbs they can get from you….
Miss_Piggy, aes_thor, eng55, eqshannon, bobcat08, Argus, uleko has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekNature members may write critiques.
Discussions
None
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

Hallo Janice
This is a lovely bird. The black and white colours of the feathers stand out well and you have captured it with great clarity. Even on the thumbnail it was clearly visible. I like the very dark colour of the water; it has a dramatic feeling to it. I also like the patch of red on the yellow beak and the tiny black spots on the headpart. This is a lovely capture of the gull. The photgraph is sharp and clear and the colours are super. I like the patterns in the water caused by its paddling, as well as the circle's formed by the droplets, falling downwards into the water. Thanks for sharing, I enjoyed this one.
Kind regards.
Anna

Hi,
Nice composition with this wave in front, good position of bird, great sharpness and colours.well done
cheers
Adrian

  • Great 
  • eng55 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 412 W: 3 N: 427] (1335)
  • [2008-05-19 5:36]

Hi Janice,
This gull is rare in Turkey.You caught it very well.Details,POV,sharpness and pose of bird is wonderful.I think these spieces are more selective then the others and i'm not sure about MacDonalds:)Have a great week!
Thanks for posting.

You give me pause to wonder if the water there is always cool. When I have seen images or movies of Steve Reekie...he always has a wet suit on. Of course he is in the water for long periods. That may be the difference. Since I lived on the NorCal oceanfront for many years and have seen these gulls in much of their native habitat....I am trying to figure if this is the S Hemispheres similarity with the oceanside...very nice presentation...
Bob

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1310 W: 70 N: 2762] (9153)
  • [2008-05-19 10:24]

Hello Janice,
Very beautiful photo in great clear colours. Splendid movements in the water. Excellent sharpness, details and composition.
Regards,
Peter

Hello Janice,

A very nice composition. This beautiful Black-Backed Gull in his own enviroment. Your photo has a wonderful clarity. Very nice. And the spread wings also give a good picture of this bird. Your photo is so sharp, that I can see even the bottom in the water. Thanks for sharing. Cheers and TFS BOB

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 982 W: 4 N: 2512] (11673)
  • [2008-05-20 9:27]

Hello Janice,
This is very nice shot and with the water reflection. This is sharp and clear picture. Ganesh

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2707 W: 139 N: 7809] (24333)
  • [2008-05-22 6:45]

Hello Janice,
The lighting in this capture of a Black-backed gull is superb. I like the pose and the breaking wave in the FG taken with fine sharpness.
A lovely image, Janice, and thanks for sharing it,
Ivan

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2543 W: 170 N: 7734] (24475)
  • [2008-05-25 6:54]

Hello Janice,
Well-timed capture of this beautiful Gull flapping its wings and stirring up the beautiful wavy blue water. I like the colours and the composition is lovely.
TFS and best wishes, Ulla

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2008-05-25 20:45]

Hello Janice

It always amazes me how many species of birds there are.
This is a lovely capture of this gull.
The plumage colour and detail show well.
Very good clarity with excellent sharpness.
I chuckled at your notes,I sometimes see birds walk quickly away...birds have wings (advantage birds!).
TFS

Rob

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF