Walking along the waterfront at Ushuaia, I noticed several gulls foraging in the stinking black ooze at the water's edge. They looked different from the gulls I already knew — what's usually white was grey, and the bills seemed bulkier and redder. I checked the book. Dolphin gulls are apparently uncommon, although in Ushuaia they were easy to find. Over several days I tried to photograph them, but found them difficult subjects. This detail, although straightforward, is probably the best of a large number of mediocre photographs.
Of all the things I liked about Ushuaia, the birds rate highly.
[30 November 2011, Panasonic Lumix GH1, 100–300 mm at 300 mm, ISO 200, 1/2000 at f5.6]
All content © 2011 Pete McGregor
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8 comments:
Love the red around the gull's eyes and the perfect match to the bill. A very fine looking creature.
That red ring around it's eye, very striking.
Lovely portrait (although I don't like to consider the black ooze). Birds rule!
Looks like someone stole my 'Red Ravishing' lip gloss ;-0
What a handsome fellow (or attractive gal).
Isn't it remarkable that they stay so sparklingly clean when they are foraging in filth?
Robin, they are indeed very fine looking. I think the grey shading adds some interest compared to the simple black and white of some other gulls.
Zhoen, yes — apparently it's a diagnostic feature.
Barbara, I'm sure they'd steal anything, given the chance :^D
Paul, good to see you didn't assume the gender. As far as I know, the males and females can't be distinguished, except by other dolphin gulls ;^)
RR, very true. I've often thought that about birds I've seen foraging in the most horrendous situations — pure white egrets in Indian drains, for example.
Maureen, oops, sorry — missed your comment. But I agree.
Hasta luego!
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