Hi, this photo (original size and a cropped version attached) was taken on Aug 16, 2022 at about 5:30 pm just beside the harbour in Grundarfjörður, Vesturland province, Iceland. I had been taking a few photos of Glaucous gulls and wanted to practice taking some flight shots. Practice needed as this is the only one that actually had a bird in it
Anyways, it certainly does not look like a Glaucous gull. The closest id I can get to is a Sabine's gull, based on the bit of wing pattern I can see and the black head. The yellow bill, if that is in fact what it is, would suggest it is not that either I believe. After puzzling over it a bit I am now asking for help in making an identification, or at least some ideas as to possibilities so as to somewhat sate my curiosity. According to ebird records Sabine is possible though very uncommon in August there.
thank you in advance
steve
Anyways, it certainly does not look like a Glaucous gull. The closest id I can get to is a Sabine's gull, based on the bit of wing pattern I can see and the black head. The yellow bill, if that is in fact what it is, would suggest it is not that either I believe. After puzzling over it a bit I am now asking for help in making an identification, or at least some ideas as to possibilities so as to somewhat sate my curiosity. According to ebird records Sabine is possible though very uncommon in August there.
thank you in advance
steve