Sunday, August 5, 2012

Heermann's Gull


Midsummer brings an odd little gull, the Heermann’s gull, to the Oregon coast.  Adults have beautiful white heads, bright red and black bills, and a lovely warm brown body.  They just don’t look like gulls!  
They are also odd in that they go south to the Gulf of California and Mexico to nest, and fly north after nesting is finished.  Late summer and fall is spent as far north as southern British Columbia, Canada.  
Their big name came from an even longer one.  Heermann’s gulls are named after Adophus Lewis Herrmann, a nineteenth century explorer and naturalist.  
Each summer I look forward to these quiet gulls turning up along our coastline.  

9 comments:

  1. Beautiful sketches Elva.
    Regards
    Matteo

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  2. I love this sketch of the little guy. colors are beautiful. It makes me want to go to Bandon to see this cutie..

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  3. What a beauty! I know some call gulls rats with wings, but I love them...nice job, Elva!

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  4. Lovely sketches Elva. He looks so soft.

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  5. Okay - so I apparently need to get out and do some birding, especially since I live in Myrtle Point! This would have been a lifer for me. Bummer. Glad you saw him, though -- and thanks for the great sketch!

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  6. Okay - so I apparently need to get out and do some birding, especially since I live in Myrtle Point! This would have been a lifer for me. Bummer. Glad you saw him, though -- and thanks for the great sketch!

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  7. Lovely, especially that look in his eye!

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