American Herring Gulls ~ smithsonianus ~ California ~ Feb' 15

American Herring Gulls

~~~~

Larus smithsonianus

A small collection of birds from all age groups were seen at various locations.
The numbers increased at each site the further North we travelled ..
It would of been nice to of gained flight images of some to compliment the text book side-on's but with non stop action I got distracted easily by other gulls !!

Some are 'Classic' looking birds ...
Some are 'Beauties' ...
Others are purely Top Shelf !!   

1st. Winter

Santa Barbara Beach ~ 15.02.15

 Venice Beach, Half Moon Bay ~ 16.02.15
' Top Shelf bird '

Salmon Creek ~ 17.02.15

Russian River, Jenner ~ 18.02.15

Lake Merritt, Oakland ~ 19.02.15

Alice Keck Park, Santa Barbara ~ 21.02.15

Alice Keck Park, Santa Barbara ~ 21.02.15



2nd. Winter

Salmon Creek ~ 17.02.15

Russian River, Jenner ~ 17.02.15

Russian River, Jenner ~ 17.02.15

Russian River, Jenner ~ 18.02.15


3rd. Winter ?

Russian River, Jenner ~ 18.02.15


Adults

Venice Beach, Half Moon Bay ~ 16.02.15

Venice Beach, Half Moon Bay ~ 16.02.15

Venice Beach, Half Moon Bay ~ 16.02.15
Mantle seems a shade to dark, with a odd looking head
Possible Western genes ?

Salmon Creek ~ 17.02.15

Salmon Creek ~ 17.02.15

Same bird as above standing image

Solid mark on P5, No mirrors on P9
Left wing tiny dot mirror on P10
Right wing mirror to inner web on P10

A west coast pattern but whats the % of this compared to mirrors on P9 & P10 ?

Salmon Creek ~ 17.02.15

Salmon Creek ~ 17.02.15
An absolutely stunning bird

Venice Beach, Half Moon Bay ~ 19.02.15

Venice Beach, Half Moon Bay ~ 19.02.15

Venice Beach, Half Moon Bay ~ 19.02.15

Venice Beach, Half Moon Bay ~ 19.02.15



I want to go back and do it again !!