Speed Brakes: I normally delete "bird butt" shots, however, this bird spotted something as he flew by, threw out the speed brakes and performed a gorgeous diving U turn into the river.

7awol Loc: Butler, Pa

I normally delete "bird butt" shots, however, this bird spotted something as he flew by, threw out the speed brakes and performed a gorgeous diving U turn into the river. I think that this is a Great Black-backed Gull. The red spot on the bill is proving to be a head scratcher. Verification requested. Taken at the mouth of the Cape Fear River at the Atlantic near Wilmington NC.
Dean

(Download)

Camlane Loc: North Carolina

7awol wrote:

I normally delete "bird butt" shots, however, this bird spotted something as he flew by, threw out the speed brakes and performed a gorgeous diving U turn into the river. I think that this is a Great Black-backed Gull. The red spot on the bill is proving to be a head scratcher. Verification requested. Taken at the mouth of the Cape Fear River at the Atlantic near Wilmington NC.
Dean

Great Black Bills have a red spot on lower bill. They are the largest of the gulls.

7awol Loc: Butler, Pa

Oh...thank you. I use both Sibley and Peterson, neither showed the red spot.
Dean

TomV Loc: Annapolis, Maryland

Very nice control of light to maintain the white feather details. About how close was this shot?
Tom

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Excellent capture.

J-SPEIGHT Loc: Akron, Ohio

7awol wrote:

I normally delete "bird butt" shots, however, this bird spotted something as he flew by, threw out the speed brakes and performed a gorgeous diving U turn into the river. I think that this is a Great Black-backed Gull. The red spot on the bill is proving to be a head scratcher. Verification requested. Taken at the mouth of the Cape Fear River at the Atlantic near Wilmington NC.
Dean

7awol Loc: Butler, Pa

Close, this is almost full frame at 200mm. And these guys have 4ft plus wingspans. I use matrix (Nikon D300s) and try to bump exposure compensation +1 full stop anytime I shoot BIF against the sky, always a crap shoot but I get nicer histograms/shadow detail.
Dean

Swamp-Cork Loc: Lanexa, Virginia

Excellent and can take a close look at the red spot when double-clicked!