A Distinctly Different Gull
This was our first visit to take pictures on the beach of Half Moon Bay. It was very interesting that even though the beach was full of people and children sunning themselves the birds did not seem to mind. They just sort of huddled together in a mass, as though they were protecting and looking out for each other. The Heermann’s Gull species looks distinctly different from other gulls. Adults have a medium gray body, blackish-gray wings and tail with white edges, and a red bill with a black tip. The head is dusky gray in non-breeding plumage and white in breeding plumage. When a pelican comes to the surface after plunging into the water for fish, a Heermann's Gull is often waiting to try to snatch the fish from the pelican's pouch.
A Distinctly Different Gull
This was our first visit to take pictures on the beach of Half Moon Bay. It was very interesting that even though the beach was full of people and children sunning themselves the birds did not seem to mind. They just sort of huddled together in a mass, as though they were protecting and looking out for each other. The Heermann’s Gull species looks distinctly different from other gulls. Adults have a medium gray body, blackish-gray wings and tail with white edges, and a red bill with a black tip. The head is dusky gray in non-breeding plumage and white in breeding plumage. When a pelican comes to the surface after plunging into the water for fish, a Heermann's Gull is often waiting to try to snatch the fish from the pelican's pouch.