CLOSED: Ring-billed Gulls?

In the evening there are always Gull's heading towards the lake... not sure if their coming from field's (which are still snow covered) but I think their all Ring-billed..but here's a couple of shots.

No.2, I did see some Ring-billed Gull's, but these I wanted to check on.

Black bill in the first pic makes me think possibly Laughing Gull. Second, I'd agree with probable Ring-billed. But with both, the pic quality makes it impossible to be 100% certain ;-)

Resin

I agree with Resin. Too much black on the beak of the 1st bird for me to say it is a Ring-billed Gull. But I think I see some yellow and then a black tip on the bill of the 2nd bird. However, I don't see any black at the ends of the tail feathers like mine has, but the winter form, according to pics on one of my books doesn't have any black at the tips. So, the more I look at it, the more I think the 2nd one is a Ring-billed winter adult.

Here's a pic of one of mine.

Hack

This message was edited Mar 6, 2010 8:59 AM

Hack and Resin,

Agreed on the second photo as a Ring-billed Gull. The first bird is a challenge, but I think Res's ID as a Laughing Gull is correct. Lots of black on the underside of the wing, a faint sub-terminal tail band (means it is a second winter bird) and the black bill all say Laughing Gull. The only challenge to make it a 100% is the lack of any dark on the head. Laughing Gull at anytime of the year should show some black. But still I agree on the Laughing Gull ID.

Greg

The pictures were taken during my break at work...sometimes I grab the camera and take it with me..hand held shots so the quality lacks...myself I couldn't come to a conclusion on the first bird becasue if it did come from the field's its possible that may be mud on its bill...but it looked to dark.
It all boils down to what I thought...need better pictures..I will try to capture this event in the evening over the weekend, a Laughing Gull would be a bird I would like to add to my list...but I have to do better than this.

Thanks all!

Seen another one just like the first photo... on Sunday, by the time I seen him he was flying over me and I would've only got an away shot. :(

This message was edited Mar 8, 2010 11:45 PM