Western Gull
San Diego, California
A very common gull year-round in this location. This species breeds on the cliffs at La Jolla Cove now (the chicks shown below are from that location).
Central Oregon Coast
The first five images show a gull making a meal of a rock crab at Seal Rock State Recreation Site. In the last image, the gull is drinking fresh water from a small stream that dumped out on the beach.
Central California Coast
These gulls, including the adults with chicks, were photographed at Morro Bay, California. Morrow Rock is a popular breeding site for them there.
California Gull
Less frequently observed along the San Diego coastline, this gull has a distinctive multicolored bill. This portrait was taken at Mission Bay in San Diego, California in December.
Heermann's Gull
Image 1 is from False Point, and Image 2 is from Mission Bay, San Diego, California. Both of these birds are in non-breeding plumage. Images 3 and 4 are from La Jolla, California, of birds in breeding plumage. Images 5 and 6 are from Mission Bay, San Diego, California of birds in breeding plumage.
Ring-billed Gull
Images 1 and 2 photographed at Mission Bay, San Diego, California. Image 3 from south of Imperial Beach, California.
Royal Tern
Images 1 and 2: Breeding adults photographed at Mission Bay, San Diego, California. Image 3 shows a young bird begging from another bird - possibly its parent, at Mission Bay. Image 4 shows a flock photographed at the Tijuana River Mouth, south San Diego County, California.
Least Tern
This species breeds up and down the southern California coast in spring and summer (as well as the East and Gulf Coasts of the U.S. and points south). These individuals were photographed near the Tijuana River mouth in southwestern San Diego County, California.
Black Skimmer
Fairly easily observed in San Diego and elsewhere on the west coast, Image 1 of this this skimming bird was photographed at South Padre Island, Texas. Image 2 was taken at sunset in Imperial Beach, California. The bird was skimming back and forth just a few feet from shore. The last three images are from Mission Bay, San Diego, California. The skimming was occurring at a very low tide and in VERY shallow water.
