Some argenteus from southwest Iceland:
http://www.pbase.com/hans_larsson/argen ... 0&page=all
By some reason it seems I´ve managed to not photograph any 4 cy birds.. Also, the most interesting dark-tailed immatures were always distant. Despite intense search I could not find any good smithsonianus candidates. In general I felt it was quite difficult to get good views of large gulls during my stay. Low tide, vast harbours and shy birds made gulling very different from the intimate, drive-in conditions I´m used to in southern Sweden .
Cheers,
Hans
Herring gulls in Iceland
Re: Herring gulls in Iceland
Hans has managed inspite of difficulties he described, to obtain another great set of gulls!
No smithsonianus you say, what about the one in the background here then ?
http://www.pbase.com/hans_larsson/image/123408676
Jan
No smithsonianus you say, what about the one in the background here then ?
http://www.pbase.com/hans_larsson/image/123408676
Jan
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Re: Herring gulls in Iceland
http://i.pbase.com/o2/12/883912/1/12355 ... nd1482.jpg
nice p6/p7 bajonetts in this one too. well just bajonetts but no p5 mark etc. how many percent of argenteus have such bajonetts according to peter, 6% i remember?
nice p6/p7 bajonetts in this one too. well just bajonetts but no p5 mark etc. how many percent of argenteus have such bajonetts according to peter, 6% i remember?
Re: Herring gulls in Iceland
Lou,
in argenteus, only about 3% have a black bayonet pattern on either P7 or P8 (not P6). If we are counting birds with a 'bayonet' on both P7-8, the percentage is close to zero.
Having said that, I should add that I do not really see distinct 'bayonets' on P6-7 of the bird you refer to.
Instead, it shows a rather thick, oblique pattern that starts from the shaft (especially on P7). There is no obvious step; the shape is entirely triangular.
A good example of a true 'bayonet' can be seen on P7 in this photo by Peter Alfrey: from the shaft, there is a distinct step before a thin, sharply pointed wedge starts to run towards the primary coverts.
I hope I am explaining it well. It is a subtle distinction, but an important one.
Also, keep in mind that the presence of a 'bayonet' does not prove anything. It has to be combined with other characters.
in argenteus, only about 3% have a black bayonet pattern on either P7 or P8 (not P6). If we are counting birds with a 'bayonet' on both P7-8, the percentage is close to zero.
Having said that, I should add that I do not really see distinct 'bayonets' on P6-7 of the bird you refer to.
Instead, it shows a rather thick, oblique pattern that starts from the shaft (especially on P7). There is no obvious step; the shape is entirely triangular.
A good example of a true 'bayonet' can be seen on P7 in this photo by Peter Alfrey: from the shaft, there is a distinct step before a thin, sharply pointed wedge starts to run towards the primary coverts.
I hope I am explaining it well. It is a subtle distinction, but an important one.
Also, keep in mind that the presence of a 'bayonet' does not prove anything. It has to be combined with other characters.
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Re: Herring gulls in Iceland
thanks for putting me right, peter. i understood your comment well, didn't know that bayonets literally should show this step (like true bayonets;)). instead i thought longish and very pointed, sharp demarcated extensions towards base were called bayonets. a few michahellis do have such long pointed extensions on inner webs - how should i call them? on this bird p6-p8 show remarkably long 'spikes' (while we get offtopic now...). pic by cristian,7.11.2008 bucharest.
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Re: Herring gulls in Iceland
On the outer webs, you mean ? "Wedge" may be a good word for such a (triangular) pattern, as it implies a broad base that gradually tapers to a thin end.