The Western/Baird's Sandpipers reported below "may" have started Carol's and my Sunday afternoon "non-birding ride" with a quick run along the East Lagoon at Wastewater. All we saw of shorebirds were lots of Killdeer, several Spotted Sandpipers and two Lesser Yellowlegs. I don't usually "do" gulls, but I photographed this one on the rocks along the east side of the lagoon and would be interested in what others think of it.
It seemed to be the same size as the Herring Gulls around it and in every way except the dark plumage it looked like a Herring Gull: pink feet, orange spot on base of bill, bill similar in size and shape to the Herring Gulls. Great Black-backed is my guess, but it just didn't seem big enough. Comments welcome.
PS: As we drove down onto Swanson Road a fox stared at us from the field east of the lagoon.
- Ric
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2 comments:
This could be a Slaty-backed Gull, but the picture is not very clear. Both the Herring Gull and Slaty-backed Gull are the same size, but the Slaty-backed Gull is a little bit darker in appearance. Also, the Slaty-backed Gull has yellowish wash on hind neck and throat, usally.
Dear Anonymous,
Thanks! I saw no such yellowish wash on this bird, but again, I wasn't really "birding" that afternoon and was not looking for it. :-)
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