December '05. Everett, WA. Mew Gull Larus (canus) brachyrynchus. (Adults in winter). This wonderful image from Washington State shows a considerable range of variation in the upperwing pattern of brachyrynchus. However, there appears to be a consistent pattern with many showing a good deal of white in the primaries as a result of broad white 'moons' on P5-8. Compared to the RI bird, most show a rather different pattern on P8, which I've attempted to show below. I'm especially grateful to Steve Mlodinow for providing this superb shot. Images appear with the kind permission of Steve Mlodinow

Wonderful shot! Note broad white moons - P8 through to P5, and tiny blackish mark on P4.

Crop of two upperwings showing variation in white 'moons' on P8.

Washinton State Mew Gull (left) RI 'Mew' Gull (right). An interesting, though not completely true comparison since the RI shot is suffering from strong backlighting and the wing isn't fully spread. However, there is no obvious evidence of a white 'moon' in P8 on the RI bird and there also appears to be much more black in P8 and P7, which is shown in other flights shots of the RI bird such as the one below. It's also worth noting the rather low contrast between the black of the primaries and the gray of the upperwing.

This image of the RI bird was taken on a 'fly-past' on Jan 27th (through binoculars) and has been seriously cropped down from the original, but still reveals some interesting detail.

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