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Merry Christmas


Merry Christmas
Photo Information
Copyright: Peter van Zoest (PeterZ) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5137 W: 166 N: 13121] (49139)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-12-21
Categories: Birds
Camera: Nikon D300, AF Nikkor 70-300mm f4-5.6 G, Digital JPEG
Exposure: f/4.5, 1/1600 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-12-23 6:21
Viewed: 3355
Points: 76
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I wish all TN members MERRY CHRISTMAS in peace and good health.

Just like my last photo this photo is taken from my living-room trough a glass panel with a view in my backyard. This gull was also searching for food.

The Black-headed Gull (larus ridibundus) is a small gull which breeds in much of Europe and Asia, and also in coastal eastern Canada. Most of the population is migratory, wintering further south, but some birds in the milder westernmost areas of Europe are resident. Some birds will also spend the winter in northeastern North America, where it was formerly known as the Common Black-headed Gull. As is the case with many gulls, it has traditionally been placed in the genus Larus.

This gull is 38-44 cm (15-17½ in) long with a 94-105 cm (37-41 in) wingspan. It breeds in colonies in large reedbeds or marshes, or on islands in lakes, nesting on the ground. Like most gulls, it is highly gregarious in winter, both when feeding or in evening roosts. It is not a pelagic species, and is rarely seen at sea far from coasts.

The Black-headed Gull is a bold and opportunist feeder and will eat insects, fish, seeds, worms, scraps and carrion in towns, or take invertebrates in ploughed fields with equal relish.

In flight, the white leading edge to the wing is a good field mark. The summer adult has a chocolate-brown head (not black, despite the name), pale grey body, black tips to the primary wing feathers, and red bill and legs. The hood is lost in winter, leaving just dark vertical streaks.

This species takes two years to reach maturity. First year birds have a black terminal tail band, more dark areas in the wings, and, in summer, a less fully developed dark hood. Like most gulls, Black-headed Gulls are long-lived birds, with a maximum age of 63 years recorded in the wild.

Source: Wikipedia
CeltickRanger, hansh, nasokoun, goatman04, loot, maurydv, marianas, livius, uleko, xTauruSx, siggi, nglen, Argus, zulfu, marius-secan, cirano, jaycee, boreocypriensis, Dis. Ac., eng55, Juyona, anemone, Mello, roges, valy67, Alex99 has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • zetu Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 967 W: 26 N: 3888] (16941)
  • [2009-12-23 6:24]

Hello Peter
Nice capture of this gull with winter plumage...
Merry Christmas!
Razvan

hello Peter

Merry Christmas also for you, you are presenting us a perfect image
of Christmas time with as background of the image the snow,
fine focus sharpness and details of this Gull with wonderful eye-contact,

TFS

Asbed

  • Great 
  • hansh Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 277 W: 1 N: 741] (2762)
  • [2009-12-23 6:32]

Hallo Peter.

Ook voor jou prettige kerstdagen.
Mooie wens met deze prachtige foto, je boft maar dat je ze zo vanuit je luie stoel kunt maken.

Gr. Hans

Merry Christmas Peter!
splendid freeze of pose, front in this beautiful background,very beautiful photo!
regards
Nasos

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 6595 W: 89 N: 15659] (65489)
  • [2009-12-23 7:17]

Hi Peter,fantastic pic like your last,the best pics whit birds in the snow seen on TN this year! I wish you all the best and thanks for your wonderfuls shots! Luciano

Hello Peter,

An excellent shot with beautiful colors, sharpness & timing. Well taken, composed & presented. TFS & regards.

Merry Christmas & A Happy/Peaceful New year

Umar

hallo Peter
weer een mooie opname
super scherp en een goede achtergrond
mooie kleuren en goed licht
jij ook nog een prettige kerstdagen
groetjes lou

  • Great 
  • loot Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5524 W: 722 N: 4163] (11276)
  • [2009-12-23 7:51]

Hi Peter

A lovely, almost tailless (chuckle), seagull coming in for the landing. You have done
well to freeze this guy in mid-air. The exposure was obviously rather problematic to
deal with, because of the bright backlit scene with the white snow and still make sure
the white bird showed up clearly, but you did a great job in lighting control. I just love
the contrast created by the dazzling red landing gear.

Thanks for your kind message and to you and your loved ones I also wish a blessed
Christmas and a wonderful 2010.

Well done and TFS.
Regards
Loot

Hello Peter,
another splendid picture of the Black-headed Gull taken from an excellent POV in a great posture in-flight, very good sharpness and fantastic winter atmosphere, very nice composition.
Merry Christmas to you and your family too.
TFS
Maurizio

Peter
Silent night! Holy night!
All is calm, all is bright,
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child!
Holy Infant, so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace!
Sleep in heavenly peace!
Have a nice Christmas, Mariana

Una fotografía entrañable Peter, en tu línea de buen gusto y técnica y muy apropiada ara estas frías fiestas de este año.
Felices Navidades pata tí también y toda tu familia.
Un abrazo desde españa: Josep Ignasi Tejedor.

  • Great 
  • livius Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 300 W: 0 N: 391] (1525)
  • [2009-12-23 10:19]

Hello Peter
bellissimo lo scatto sul gabbiano immortalato ottimamente nel suo batter d'ali. Ottimo il contrasto dei suoi colori con lo sfondo ed i dettagli che ci fanno apprezzare tutta la sua bellezza. Le note sono davvero molto interessanti.
Merry Christmas!
Livio

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3396 W: 172 N: 3310] (10940)
  • [2009-12-23 10:32]

Hello Peter,
Another lovely in-flight capture of this Gull!! Brilliant focus, fine sharp details and lovely colours.
Happy holidays and best wishes, Ulla

  • Great 
  • bedri Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 111 W: 0 N: 237] (1284)
  • [2009-12-23 10:48]

Excellent shoot Peter, congratulations and TFS.
Happy new year..
Best regards,
Bedri..

  • Great 
  • rommel Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 446 W: 0 N: 287] (3628)
  • [2009-12-23 10:51]

Hellow Peter
Thanx for the good wishes.Very well captured of this gull as this could not have been a easy shot taking into account the minimal contrast and yet you have excelled and created a magnificent image.
erwin...

Hello Peter, great winter scene and in-flight shot of a gull.
Have a happy Cristmas and New Year!
TFS and regards,
Deniz

  • Great 
  • joska Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 806 W: 0 N: 4092] (22535)
  • [2009-12-23 11:50]

MERRY CHRISTMAS and Happy New Year!

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3097 W: 109 N: 12399] (52850)
  • [2009-12-23 12:23]

Hello Peter.
I really like the dynamic composition here.Superb action shot and great details.
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEARS 2010 for you and your family. Best regards Siggi

hello Peter!

splendid Black-headed Gull in the snow
I wish you and family a happy Christmas
sERGIO

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2883 W: 30 N: 9683] (36145)
  • [2009-12-23 12:35]

Hi Peter. A fine close up of this Gull coming into land in the snow . You have delt with the bright light so well We can still se the featehrs with good detail. WEll taken TFS.
Nick..

A very Happy Christmas and New Year to you and your family my friend.

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5038 W: 260 N: 15594] (50626)
  • [2009-12-23 12:58]

Hello Peter,
Excellent capture of a Black-headed Gull in flight and a nice way to wish us all a happy festive season. I wish you the same and a Happy and healthy 2010!
Ivan

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer [C: 685 W: 0 N: 2] (43)
  • [2009-12-23 13:38]

Hello Peter, lovely in-flight shot of this beautiful gull with excellent composition. I wish you Happy Christmas.
TFS and R's,
Mehmet

Hello Peter,
Lovely composition and great details.
Excellent colours in a natural background.
Marius.

  • Great 
  • cirano Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 997 W: 0 N: 944] (13609)
  • [2009-12-23 14:30]

Slav Peter
This is an exellent winter photo with great white color and perfect sharpness.Wonderful timing.TFS and regards.
Merry Christmas!..
Dûrzan

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2454 W: 10 N: 8044] (25460)
  • [2009-12-23 16:03]

Hi Peter,

What a picture! I'm ready to change houses with you. This landing Gull against the snow is marvelous. You captured the expression on his face so perfectly. I love those wings. A very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year to you and your family.

Jane

Hi Peter

Great in-flight capture of a gull from a fine vantage point with great clarity and delightful composition.
Merry Christmas and all the best in the New Year 2010 MF!.
Cheers,

Bayram

Hallo Peter,

een mooie opname.
Jij oop Fijne Kertdagen. voor jou en je gezin.
Mijne kerstkaart maak ik zo even.

groet Gert

  • Great 
  • eng55 Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1256 W: 42 N: 1976] (5892)
  • [2009-12-23 22:53]

Hi Peter,
Lovely image.Well caught and composed.I wish Merry Christmas for you and your family too!
Thanks for posting..

  • Great 
  • Juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor [C: 2232 W: 10 N: 2971] (16891)
  • [2009-12-24 1:25]

Hola Peter,
splendid capture,
with colored beak and legs contrasting ...
great definition,
saludos
feliz Navidad

Hi Peter.
Wonderful capture of a flying gull from great POV!
TFS and happy Cristmas!'
Özgür

Hoi Peter,
Een vrolijke kerst ook voor jou.
Dit is echt een prachtige winter foto met perfecte belichting en een erg mooi bevroren moment. Sneeuw is voor ons bijzonder, maar een meeuw in de sneeuw maakt dit nog meer bijzonder. De kleuren van de snavel en poten en het zwarte in de vleugels komen nu nog mooier naar voren.
Groetne,
Niek

  • Great 
  • Mello Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 140 W: 34 N: 480] (2419)
  • [2009-12-24 12:37]

I wishe the same to you and your family dear Peter.
So good that you can see this beauty through your window MF. You got a nice in flight shot and notes too.
Congratulations and see you in TN.
Kind regards,
Francisco

Hello Peter,

beautiful photo!, has movement and attractive coloring!
I am sending you a hug and best wishes on this Christmas!
Thanks for sharing all this year,
Greetings,

Jesús

** NOTE: I was very busy with my work, but I think I'll have more time to TN! I'm glad!

  • Great 
  • roges Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 957 W: 0 N: 1329] (6264)
  • [2009-12-24 16:46]

Hi Peter,
Dankzij de vooruitgang. Prachtig beeld!
En u en uw dierbaren je wensen u prettige feestdagen en een goede gezondheid.
Met vriendelijke groet,
Adrian

Hello Peter !
I wish you a happy Christmas too ! And you have chosen such a nice picture for these days of celebration, with snowy landscape in BG. i love how the red beak and legs are standing out on the white BG, and the pose of the bird is outstanding, what a timing, you hav captured hm at the perfect moment. Very well done !
Valérie.

Hi Peter,
it's perfect - and excellent for a Christmas-post. White bird, white BG, we can be happy to have some snow this year at Christmas.
I wish you wonderful days, greetings and thanks
Sabine - wishnugaruda

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4072 W: 133 N: 7096] (23735)
  • [2009-12-26 3:55]

Hi Peter.
It is fantastic. So amazing scene is visible through the window. I mean both trees and charming gull at a very attractive pose. Excellent in-flight picture. My compliments. Hanks a lot for warm greetings and wishes. I also wish you wonderful holidays and Happy New Year.
Alexei.

hello Peter!

Great snowy almost monochromatic picture of the gull!

Merry Christmas And Happy New Year!

Regards
Jacek

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