Hello Mike,

The size of this Greater Black-backed Gull was already discussed by all and never question since this bird is on the smaller side.I found Denny's photos exquisite showing the most details.The bird in Ryan's photo is compared to the bird on the right not taller,but massive in size.I have about 30 photos where this bird identification amongst other gulls from farther away where you really can tell the difference in size.

Cheers,

Ruth Sullivan


----- Original Message -----
From: <mgd at u.washington.edu>
To: "Stuart MacKay" <stuart at blarg.net>
Cc: "Tweeters" <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, January 20, 2004 12:24 PM
Subject: Re: Great Black-backed


> Stuart et.al.
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> The photos on Denny's web site are very misleading as to size. This bird is huge. The photos that Ryan Merrill posted last Thursday give a much better size comparison. In his photos, the birds were standing next to each other on a log, in Denny's photos the GBBG is in the foreground. I don't know how all this works, but when the objects are at a different distance from the lens you it's hard to get an accurate portrait of relative size.
>
> Mike Donahue
> Seattle
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