# Heermann's Gull **URL:** \ **Category:** Image Critiques\ **Tags:** birds\ **Created:** [October 1, 2026, 8:34pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/heermanns-gull/52446 "2026-10-01T20:34:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Allen\_Brooks](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/allen_brooks/32/390_2.png) [@Allen\_Brooks](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Allen_Brooks)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2026, 8:34pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/heermanns-gull/52446/1 "2026-10-01T20:34:16Z")
![Original - Heermann's Gull--NPN.jpg](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/6/5/65a7537b8fb4bb16a8304721db8a5573f216380c.jpeg) **Critique Style:** Standard The photographer is looking for thoughtful feedback on the image as a whole, especially around the areas noted below. **Feedback Focus:** Artistic + Technical ### About This Image I’m posting this mainly as a bird not often seen, or one I don’t recall being posted on NPN- the orange bill is different from other common gulls. Taken while on a ferry ride between Port Townsend, Washington and Whidbey Island. I like the bird in the background as I don’t particularly care for bird in flight shots with only the bird and a monotonous background. I think it also adds some context/sense of environment and reminds me of the feel of seeing a lot of birds on the water during the trip. ### Feedback Requested Any thoughts appreciated. ### Technical Details Camera: Canon R5 Lens: 100-500 Focal length: 500 mm Shutter speed: 1/4000 Aperture: f10 ISO: 5000 ---
**Author:** ![Dennis\_Plank](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/dennis_plank/32/27033_2.png) [@Dennis\_Plank](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Dennis_Plank)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2026, 12:21am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/heermanns-gull/52446/2 "2026-10-02T00:21:30Z")
Nice catch, Allen. I think I may have seen a few of these, but I’ve never been very good at gulls and I know it hasn’t been frequently. That dark gray is pretty distinctive for the local gulls. I agree about leaving the background bird in the image. ---
**Author:** ![Keith\_Flood](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/keith_flood/32/77197_2.png) [@Keith\_Flood](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Keith_Flood)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2026, 12:54am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/heermanns-gull/52446/3 "2026-10-02T00:54:32Z")
Allen, I don’t recall ever seeing a Heermann’s Gull, much less photographing one, and I live on the Pacific Coast! I agree that the OOF background bird gives a sense of place and environment vs stand alone bird in flight. I also really like the downturned wings and crispness of the Heermann’s Gull! I took the liberty to offer another crop alternative to add more focus on the subject and lessen the negative space on the left side of the image. I also masked the gull and brought the whites up just a tad and added a smidge of saturation to make the orange bill stand out a bit more. My version may be a little too intimate and less environmental than the original. I think both work in different ways. Good for you to be on your game to capture this while riding the ferry! Well done! Processing example based on the original image: ![processing example](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/a/2/a2d197ada1265d9654eadc12931d369893ebe6af.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Huw\_Thomas](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/huw_thomas/32/87850_2.png) [@Huw\_Thomas](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Huw_Thomas)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2026, 6:11am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/heermanns-gull/52446/4 "2026-10-02T06:11:32Z")
Great capture- very interesting. Keith’s tighter crop doesn’t loose much feeling and makes the gull bigger in the frame. Nice connection with other bird Huw ---
**Author:** ![Allen\_Sparks](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/allen_sparks/32/63507_2.png) [@Allen\_Sparks](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Allen_Sparks)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2026, 8:10am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/heermanns-gull/52446/5 "2026-10-02T08:10:09Z")
Nice catch Allen. Fine sharpness and exposure on the bird and I like the wing position. A bird I have never seen. I took another shot at a tighter crop with a bit more room in front: ![Heermann's Gull--AS edit](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/d/a/daa0a28467449b8085c44fe5bdf247174d65402c.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Allen\_Brooks](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/allen_brooks/32/390_2.png) [@Allen\_Brooks](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Allen_Brooks)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2026, 3:49pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/heermanns-gull/52446/6 "2026-10-02T15:49:44Z")
Thanks @Dennis_Plank , @Keith_Flood , @Huw_Thomas , and @Allen_Sparks for your comments and suggestions. For me, the original crop conveys the feeling of being on the open water and seeing these birds fly by. ---
**Author:** ![Jim\_Gavin](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Jim\_Gavin](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Jim_Gavin)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2026, 7:29pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/heermanns-gull/52446/7 "2026-10-02T19:29:49Z")
I prefer the original. Why? It does better “(convey) the feeling of being on the open water and seeing (them) fly.” The background bird: As you note, it provides context in an otherwise drab background.I have seen Heermanns Gulls on the Long Beach Peninsula, including a few in breeding plumage which is quite striking. (Gray body with white head). ---
**Author:** ![Glenys\_Passier](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/glenys_passier/32/33963_2.png) [@Glenys\_Passier](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Glenys_Passier)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2026, 11:29pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/heermanns-gull/52446/8 "2026-10-02T23:29:41Z")
A bird I’m not likely to see, so always a treat. The gull is beautifully sharp and giving a nice wing position. I like the OP crop. I might consider reducing the shadow of the OOF bird just a tad. I might also remove the darker splotches of darker water. Just thoughts. Not nits.