Black-headed Gull

Sometimes – often, in fact – the small details can make a big difference. This was one of a number of shots of this Black-headed Gull in non-breeding plumage perched on a fence post and not up to very much. A number of images where the bird was looking forward or skyward were rejected in favour of this one. The reason is the bird's apparent concentration on something at its feet. The small gesture, I think, adds something of a narrative to what might otherwise have been a pleasant but unrewarding shot. And then (second shot) the gull decided it had spent long enough posing…

Canon 1DS MkII, 1/320 sec, f8, 376mm at ISO 500