Hi, Bill Jackson here, travel and nature photographer in the Raleigh-Durham area. I have been busy exploring some beautiful places in North Carolina since my recent relocation from Puerto Rico.

This particular photo was taken on the west side of Shackleford Banks just before sunset. Since the plumage was more textured than I would expect, I consulted with a friend that knows a lot about birds, and she indicated that it appears to be a Ring Billed Gull or maybe a Laughing Gull that may be coming out of its breeding plumage. She wasn’t 100% certain as species of gulls are sometimes difficult to specify, and there is the possibility that this bird resulted from cross-breeding since the gulls have been known to do that. Certainly news to me and happy to have had the assistance of someone that knows a lot more than me!

Be sure to check out my site for more bird, wildlife, and travel photos at www.BillJacksonImages.com. You can also find me on Facebook and Instagram.