Non-adult Ring-billed Gulls
By Charlie • February 2, 2006 • 4 commentsNon-adult Ring-billed Gulls Larus delawarensis
North America, various dates
THE gull most likely to be seen in urban settings across North America, the Ring-billed Gull is a widespread species that many people will be very familiar with. Increasingly identified in the UK (where it was first identified at Blackpill, Swansea Bay, in 1973) it is thought that some birds regularly move back and forth between Europe and North America, and it is likely that there is now quite a sizeable population in western Europe where it is surely likely to breed any year soon.
These photos show non-adult birds, and the range of plumages they can display.
Juvenile/1st Winter, San Francisco, Oct 2003.
Juvenile/1st Winter, Miami, Nov 2004.
Juvenile/1st Winter, Chicago, Oct 2003.
Juvenile/1st Winter, San Francisco, Oct 2003.
Juvenile/1st Winter, Chicago, Oct 2003.
Juvenile/1st Winter, Miami, Nov 2004.
1st Winter, San Francisco, Oct 2003.
1st Winter, San Francisco, Oct 2003.
1st Winter, Toronto, late-Dec 2003.
1st Winter, Toronto, late-Dec 2003.
1st Winter, Toronto, late-Dec 2003.
1st Winter, Toronto, late-Dec 2003.
Heavily-worn 1st Winter, Central Park, New York, late-March 2004.
Heavily-worn 1st Winter, Central Park, New York, late-March 2004.
Heavily-worn 1st Winter, Central Park, New York, late-March 2004.
Heavily-worn 1st Winter, Central Park, New York, late-March 2004.
Heavily-worn 1st Winter, Central Park, New York, late-March 2004.
2nd Winter, Toronto, late-Dec 2003.
2nd Winter, Toronto, late-Dec 2003.
2nd Winter, Central Park, New York, late-March 2004.
All photographs © Charlie Moores.
Dear Charlie,
Good morning!
I found your website while searching for good images of Larus delewarensis. What incredible images! I was particularly seeking various images of juveniles (as well as adult Ring-billed Gulls) for a children’s illustrator who will work on scenes for my upcoming children’s book, The Woods of Wicomico (publ. March/April, 2010).
You have a tremendous talent in avian photography - you should gather your images, with some words, and publish a book on the subject.
May we use a few of the noted images as a basis for the drawings?
The story will include a ’small squadron’ of Ring-billed gulls - one Squadron Leader, Rupert, and his class of flight-cadets, with a particularly mischievous young cadet named Cedric.
We would be delighted to credit your excellent images in the book if you would be kind enough to provide your full name and perhaps provide an e-mail for correspondence. A number of environmental groups have indicated an interest in the book at this early marketing stage, including The Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Marine Environmental Research Corporation, the Virginia Institute of Marine Science and others.
I would be delighted to hear from you, if you have time to write.
Incidentally, I am an ex-flight attendant (1970s/1981) and now an aviation consultant with the International Institute of Modern Butlers (www.modernbutlers.com); click on the aviation link. Are you with the flight deck or cabin crew?
With best wishes,
Nuala C. Galbari
reginaldcorvus@yahoo.com
Came upon your blog while researching pics of Ring-billed Gulls in flight. Great photos and post!! Thanks for sharing!
Nuala: My apologies I only just saw your comment (occasionally the notification system doesn’t work properly or I miss mails sent to me).
You’re very welcome of course to use the images to work from - these are quite small reproductions and I’ve been meaning to replace them with much larger images: if you’d like larger images to look at just ask!
I’m (very reluctant, these days) Cabin Crew: the airline industry has changed beyond recognition since I started back in 1989, and it’s time for me to find an alternative (easier said than done eh?). Thanks for the kind words about my photography - I’d love to write a book one day if I can ever find the time! Maybe that’s one way off the planes…
Anyway, best of luck with the book and let me know if I can help further.
Charlie
Cindyzlogic: thanks for the comment and you’re very welcome!