Some Gulls from today

[mmeyer]

I found some gulls out today while I was driving. I think this first set are Bonaparte's Gulls which I've never seen before. The second is the more common Ring-Billed Gull.

[Steve Foss]

Nice shots, MM. From this view, the only reliable field marks separating adult breeding plumage Bonaparte's from Franklin's gulls are the white eye arcs and bill color. Bonaparte's eye arcs are smaller and finer, and Bonaparte's has a black bill while Franklin's is red.

[MN Shutterbug]

Neat shots, especially the first one, probably due to the fact that I've never seen "black headed" gulls either.

[Steve Foss]

X-T, keep your eyes open for them. Good numbers of both species migrate through the Midwest in spring and fall, and some Franklin's gulls nest in western Minnesota. I'd bet there are some nesting on Big Stone NWR, which is not far north from you at all. Not to mention the refuge is a total waterfowl/shorebird magnet right about now.

[dukhnt]

I saw a bunch of the black headed guys yesterday. Didn't take any photos of them though. Neat shots Mike.

[mcary]

Nice shots. I really like the first - as I don't believe I've ever seen one either. We get a LOT of gulls up here, but no Bonaparte's that I've noticed. Good capture.