Oregon Coast 2024
Nice and cool on the Oregon Coast!! Here’s a few birds and sea creatures. I’ll let you gull aficionados give me an ID on these west coast gulls. Hint: 3 species.
Herring Gull Taxonomy
Some of you from Gulls Class may remember that we discussed the labryinthine taxonomy of the Herring gull complex. The Europeans consider the American Herring to be a separate species from the European Herring. Likewise the Vega Gull. While the AOS currently considers American Herring and Vega to be a subspecies of European Herring. A…
Shorebird Field Trip Corpus Christi 2024
Eric, Lance and I led the Shorebird Class to Corpus over the last weekend. I had a great time with highlights for me being: “That’s him!!!” (IDing the long-staying Glaucous Gull in mid-air at 65 mph on the JFK causeway), Identifying grass-pipers at the sod farms with the class at about ½ mile distant (definitely…
Granger Lake and Vicinity
Allan and I headed out to Granger area yesterday on our semi-regular NED (Nature Exploration Day). We came across some nice shorebird habitats in wet fields and had 6 shorebird species for the morning. So shorebird season is ON!!! Here’s a few easy-peasy to ID. Didn’t get pix of several distant Am Golden Plover and…
Glaucous Size Corpus Christi
Last Glaucous pix for a bit!! I usually think of the Herring as a BIG GULL!! But I was impressed with the Glaucous next to the Herrings and Laughings!!
Glaucous Gull Corpus Christi
Really enjoyed this beautiful and cooperative gull !! I’ve decided Glaucous and Iceland are my favorites, until I see an Ivory or Ross’s at least!!
Crazy Ivan
The Crazy Ivan Maneuver!! (anybody get the reference?)
Glaucous Gull Corpus Christi
Allan and I had a good commune with the Glaucous Gull in Corpus yesterday. (Missed the Iceland Gull there for the 4th time).
Gull Frolic Chicago 2024
Enjoyed myself at the 2024 Gull Frolic north of Chicago last weekend!! Was disappointed there were no Great Black Back Gulls present, but highlights included great looks at both thayeri and kumlieni Iceland gulls, adult and immature and several different ages of lesser Black Back. Apparently the “warm” weather means many gulls were out floating…
Gull Silhouette Challenge
Anyone up for a challenge? Name the gulls. Hints: 7 species from Texas 5 or 7 Wandering Texans. Find the easier ones first. Don’t rely on size, some are in the background, some in foreground, etc. This may be difficult!