Lesser Black-back Gulls at Trinidad Lake State Park (Las Animas County)

[Cathy Sheeter]

I briefly stopped at Trinidad Lake State Park early this AM on my way North from my winter in AZ, and drove along the south shoreline.  A flock of about 40 gulls was lounging on a point, with a somewhat surprising three adult Lesser Black-backs present.  One of them was noticeably darker than the other two.  Perhaps the darkest extreme of graellsii, but I don't have any experience with the other subspecies, such as intermedius.  Unfortunately they were not very close and took flight while I was scanning other parts of the lake, so no great images, and I doubt anything conclusive can be ascertained.  A couple of not-great pics here: eBird Checklist - 9 Apr 2021 - Trinidad Reservoir (SP & State Wildlife Area) 

No other birds of note and not many birds overall, though it was quite windy and I didn't walk around very much.

Cathy Sheeter

now back in Aurora, CO