Black-headed gull

[Cathrine Stephansen]

I was on the beach today, and photographed these black-headed gulls (Larus ridibundus)on the sea ice. Hopefully we won't be having too many days left of this stuff. The Oslofjord is opening up!

E5, Zuiko 300 mm 2.8

Comments would be appreciated!

I rather like this one walking on the ice:



And here's another one.

Do you like this version best?


or this one? (cropped)



And finally a greylag goose (Anser anser)

[PeterBirder]

Re: Black-headed gull

All excellent shots Kathrine. I think the second, cropped version of the Black Headed Gull works best. I love these type of "portrait shots" of birds, they show so much detail that we don't normally notice in common birds.
Interesting to see the bird has it's full summer black (chocolate brown) hood even though you still have sea ice. Many of our B.H.Gulls still have their blotchy winter hoods.

Thanks for sharing.

[David Morison]

Re: Black-headed gull

Superb shots Cathrine, a much maligned but beautiful bird as are all gulls. As a E5 and 300mm user myself these images thrill me!

David

[CaptainD]

Re: Black-headed gull

Dear Cathrine,

Very nice shots indeed, I prefer the cropped version. I can see that selling loads as a greetings card, super work as ever.

Cheers

Chris

[Cathrine Stephansen]

Re: Black-headed gull

Thanks, everyone. It's such a pity gulls are so disliked, I've never really looked that close at a black-headed gull before and haven't noticed the beautiful marking around the eyes, and how the ring around the eyes match the beak.

[CallaWolf]

Re: Black-headed gull

Zuiko 300 mm 2.8 - OH, I WANT this lens

These are wonderfully sharp. Perfect blend of equipment and skill

[Cathrine Stephansen]

Re: Black-headed gull

Thanks! I'm really pleased with the lens.

I want to print out the goose and frame it in a small window frame and hang it up so it looks like its looking in the window

[Zuiko]

Re: Black-headed gull

I, too, prefer the cropped gull, it focuses on the wonderful head detail whereas the original leaves me wanting to see more of the gull. My favourite is the gull walking on ice, it's a super shot and you really are lucky to have such predictable and long lasting winter conditions.

I can remember on my one and only Norwegian holiday driving over a pass at 3000ft on a blazing hot June day, with snow piled feet deep either side of the road. We also passed a lake which still had chunks of floating ice.

[Cathrine Stephansen]

Re: Black-headed gull

I, too, prefer the cropped gull, it focuses on the wonderful head detail whereas the original leaves me wanting to see more of the gull. My favourite is the gull walking on ice, it's a super shot and you really are lucky to have such predictable and long lasting winter conditions.

I can remember on my one and only Norwegian holiday driving over a pass at 3000ft on a blazing hot June day, with snow piled feet deep either side of the road. We also passed a lake which still had chunks of floating ice.

Yup! Sounds like this place Great for swimming, no great white sharks!

Thank for pointing out what's wrong with the full version of the close gull, I don't like the composition, but couldn't quite put my finger on it. Having mostly shot wild birds during fieldwork, I'm not used to birds that let you get close. These were begging bread from families on the beach, so I hardly got any pictures of whole birds Not what I'm used to at all.

The problem with this lens is that now I need to go back to all the places I've been before!

[Danny]

Re: Black-headed gull

Lovely detailed shots, especially the profiles.