Bonaparte's & Franklin's IDs

[Wetlander]

Dave was right! The gull I thought was a Bonaparte's is probably a Franklin's. ;D

But I also saw 2 gulls in winter plumage that I think are Bonaparte's.



What do you folks think?
Also saw these two gulls, and I'm thinking Ringed-billed...
But I keep getting gulls wrong so I'm not sure. I've gotten it wrong every time with Ringed-bills. So many gulls seem to show rings on bills at some point. They seemed to have the red spot on their bills as well.
Gulls will be the death of me!!!!
I need help... PLEASE!!!

[Gord]

Kevin, excellent work with the digiscoping! You got the winter plumage Bonaparte's Gulls bang on. The breeding adult is also a Bonaparte's. Franklin's Gull is worthy to consider though but their bills are red (as adults), a little thicker and the wingtips have lots of white on them when folded.

The two gulls on the bottom photo look to be California Gulls. Everything is right for Ring-billed though with dark wing tips, yellow legs and dark markings on the bill. However, that dark mark also will have a red dot right behind the dark streak as you saw. The eye will be dark (ring-bill's are yellow). A Ring-billed will look a little smaller and more slight as well.

Keep at it! You're really catching on. Gulls are the death to all birders including myself but I keep going back for more.

Great species for the May list. Right on!