Photographing this Ring-billed Gull lifting off the water with a shad was fast-paced and demanding. Cold rocks lined the edge of the Arkansas River as I waited for the right moment while gulls worked the current below the dam. When one bird grabbed a shad and powered upward, everything came together in a split second. Moments like this are why I keep coming back, even on cold mornings.
This image was taken at Robert S. Kerr Reservoir near Sallisaw, Oklahoma. The dam creates strong currents that push baitfish to the surface, which draws in gulls, pelicans, and other fish-eating birds. These Gulls often hover briefly or skim the water before snatching a fish, then immediately lift off to avoid competition.
Ring-billed Gull Feeding Behavior
Ring-billed Gulls are opportunistic feeders and quick to take advantage of concentrated food sources. Below the dam, shad are frequently stunned or disoriented by the moving water. Gulls watch closely and react fast, diving or dipping their bills to grab a fish before another bird moves in.
Once a gull secures a fish, it usually tries to gain altitude right away. Getting airborne reduces the chance of losing the catch to another gull or a larger bird like an American White Pelican. That split second when the bird breaks free of the water is often the most dynamic and hardest moment to photograph.
Photographing Birds Taking Off From Water
For this photo, I was hand holding a Canon EOS 7D Mark II with a Canon EF 100–400mm f/4.5–5.6L IS II USM lens. I positioned myself low and close to the water and waited for first light. As soon as there was enough light to work with, I focused on birds that were actively feeding.
I brace the camera and lens against my knee whenever possible to steady the shot. Fast shutter speeds are critical when photographing birds lifting off from water, especially when wings and water spray are involved. Timing matters just as much as settings, and patience pays off when the action finally happens.
Camera Settings
- Shooting Mode: Aperture Priority (Av)
- Aperture: f/5.6
- Shutter Speed: 1/2500 sec
- ISO: 640
- Focal Length: 400mm