Up Close and Personal (Gull)

[EdV]

After a morning at Sandy Hook (NJ), my wife and I stopped for lunch at a restaurant on the water in Highlands, NJ. I decided to carry my Expedition 7 with me. As we sat at our outside table this gull landed on one of the piling post. I got the camera out but the gull was so close that this was all I could get into the frame with the 400mm lens.

C&C welcome. Anyone out there who can id the gull from just this head shot?

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s1/EdV_02/110_1_1-3.jpg

[Ephily]

It's a non-breeding Herring Gull.
You can tell many gulls, especially the ones in your area, by just looking at the bill. The Herring will have taht red spot near the end. The Ring-billed will have a black "ring" or band, on its bill. While the Laughing Gull will have a red bill.
Those are the most common gulls you will encounter in your area.

[Oldsilver]

Nice closeup from an unusual angle. Good post.

[EdV]

It's a non-breeding Herring Gull.
You can tell many gulls, especially the ones in your area, by just looking at the bill. The Herring will have taht red spot near the end. The Ring-billed will have a black "ring" or band, on its bill. While the Laughing Gull will have a red bill.
Those are the most common gulls you will encounter in your area.

Nice closeup from an unusual angle. Good post.

Thanks for the id, Ephily and the comments from both of you. Much appreciated.

[hTr]

That's Close enough for Eye surgery Ed:lol::lol:

Great capture

[fritz1]

I like it how do you like sandy hook I have yet to make it there been going to LBI though
I take my Expedition 7 everywhere

[EdV]

That's Close enough for Eye surgery Ed:lol::lol:

Great capture

Thanks Gary. Yes he was indeed very close. So much so that I was concerned about my fish sandwich!:)

I like it how do you like sandy hook I have yet to make it there been going to LBI though
I take my Expedition 7 everywhere

Thanks Fritz. We generally work the coast from Sandy Hook down to Point Pleasant with an occasional stop down at Island Beach and Barnegat Light/Inlet. We're waiting for some reports of the return of the Harlequins to Barnegat.