Or was it unidentified hell in California, gulp?

You might think about Siberian Herring Gull, Larus (argentatus) vegae. I
have a recollection of seeing pale immature Herrings in western Alaska. I
don't have my slides here, and I'm not going to be back in my office to
participate freely on tweeters until after Jan 1. I might try a message
from home, although going through the modem and the vax rather than
easy-to-use Eudora in my office is usually an exercise in frustration for
me. If I learn anything from my photos, I'll send a note.

To all a great holiday season and lots of feathered friends (but not too
much turkey).

Dennis Paulson, Director phone: (206) 756-3798
Slater Museum of Natural History fax: (206) 756-3352
University of Puget Sound e-mail: dpaulson at ups.edu
Tacoma, WA 98416