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Photo by Jeff Stemshorn, Tempe Town Lake Pedestrian Bridge, Nov. 25th, 2011. |

But on November 25th while birding the Tempe Town Lake Pedestrian Bridge, I spotted a single bright white bird floating amid a flock of Ruddy Ducks on the lake. When it took to the sky we could see it was a gull, but what kind? Is it a Western Gull, or a Ring-billed Gull in non-breeding plumage, or a California Gull in winter plumage... or something else?
Anyone want to venture a guess as to what type of gull this is?
*** Update as of Dec. 1st ***
Suprisingly, the best ID so far of the Mystery Gull has come from the least experienced birder, my friend Don Price, an avid fisherman:
"Yes. I know this gull! His name is Richard." Don went on to say - "Well, I guess you’d say what can make me feel this way? My gull, my gull, my gull… talkin’ ‘bout my gull."
Pure genious.