White on white.
A few weeks ago I photographed a black bird on black water. Yesterday, nature offered me the inverse: a white bird against a white world.
From the comfort of my couch β warm, while the outside was anything but β I noticed this gull resting on a snow-covered roof, silhouetted only by a uniformly grey winter sky. No contrast to lean on, no dramatic light. Just form, posture, and subtle tonal differences.
This is a Russian Common Gull
Larus canus heinei
Dutch: Russische stormmeeuw
English: Common Gull (heinei subspecies)
Although resting, the bird remained alert: neck stretched upward, scanning its surroundings. A typical posture in harsh winter conditions, where conserving energy must be balanced against constant awareness. In snowy, overcast weather like this, visibility is reduced and predators β or competition β can appear suddenly.
From a photographic standpoint, this was a quiet challenge. White subject, white background, flat light. Exposure becomes critical. Shot handheld with the Canon 5D Mark IV and the Sigma 100β400, I worked at f/29, 1/250 sec, and ISO 12800. The high ISO and relatively slow shutter speed tell the story of the light: dark, heavy cloud cover, even at 9 in the morning. Sometimes the data in the EXIF says as much as the image itself.
Ecologically, wintering gulls like Larus canus heinei are increasingly common visitors, adapting to shifting climates and food availability. Observing them β even from your own living room β is a reminder that wildlife is always closer than we think.
#ByMaikeldeBakker #WonderingLens #MaikeldeBakkerPhotography
#LarusCanusHeinei #CommonGull #RussianCommonGull #RussischeStormmeeuw
#BirdPhotography #WinterBirds #UrbanWildlife
#WhiteOnWhite #MinimalNature #SubtleTones
#Ecology #AvianEcology #BirdBehavior
#ClimateAndNature #WinterLight
#Canon5DMarkIV #Sigma100400
#HandheldPhotography
#NatureObservation #ScientificPhotography
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