On my afternoon walk through Gog-le-hi-te Wetlands om Monday I saw a Gull
with a considerably darker mantle than I am used to seeing in the Western
Gulls that frequent the wetlands. The bird was a bit larger and stood out
immediately from the crowd of gulls. I was able to get a couple of crummy
photos from a distance, but as I got to a better vantage point a screaming
Red-tailed Hawk scattered the flock and the bird took off.

I passed the photos off to a much better birder than myself who believes
this bird may indeed be a Slaty-backed Gull. The bird was in the main
(north)tidal marsh. I am hoping this bird hangs around, it may be worth a
look around the wetlands, the surrounding rooftops, or the Puyallup river
down to 11th street as the Gull diversity has really increased in the past
week or two.

I hope someone relocates it and get good looks.

A couple of the shots can be seen here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikecharest/8068968088/in/photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikecharest/8068973100/in/photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikecharest/8068967761/in/photostream

Have a great day,

Michael Charest
Tacoma, Washington
mcharest at wamail.net