Western Gull Surfing.

Nikon D1h, 500mm f/2.8 AF-S, TC-14e, Matrix Metering, 1/200, f/5.6, ISO 200, SB-28DX, -1.7 Matrix Bal Fill, RAW Format, Auto WB, Auto Tone, Gitzo 410, Wimberly Sidekick.

Ringbilled Gulls can be quite common. Despite this, I find them quite photogenic under the right conditions. In this case, I found this bird while hanging out on the bridge across the channel for Bolsa Chica Nature Preserve in Southern California. This guy was quite approachable and only needed a slow steady approach to get within 30 feet--my lenses close focus distance. Proper exposure for the bird's whites was the challenge.