East coast vagrant from breeding grounds in eastern Greenland. Distinguished from plain-bellied immature immature White-fronted Goose by pink legs and dark base and tip to pinkish bill; bill is also stubbier, neck sorter than White-fronted.
A rare visitor to Amherst in October. There were three of them among thousands of Canadian Geese. Was quite difficult to isolate them from the Canadian.
Nikon D6, 500mm f/4E lens, f/4, 1/1600s, ISO 800.
Thanks to all of you who fave and/or comment on the photograph!
Flickr Explore: February 1, 2024
Tags: Pink-footed Goose Rare Goose Anser brachyrhynchus Sunrays+5
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This lone goose (left) was spotted today among a thousand Canadian Geese near the campus pond. Judging from the pattern on its neck and cheek, the color on its beak and feet, it is probably a cross between a Canadian Goose (right) and a Pink-footed Goose. The shape of the head is also seen to be a little rounder with this variant. Or it could be a Leucistic Canada Goose. The latter has a chance of being 1 out of 30,000. Leucism, (or leukism), prevents melanin from being properly deposited on a bird's feathers resulting in the abnormal growth of white plumage.
Nikon 500mm f/4e lens, f/4, 1/640s, ISO 800.
Thanks to all of you who fave and/or comment on the photograph.
Flickr Explore: December 31, 2023
Tags: Extremely rare Goose UMass Amherst Campus Pond UMass, Amherst UMass Campus Pond UMass Pond Rare Sightings Born to be different Sunrays+5
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The great blue heron is the largest heron native to North America. A common heron found year round in many parts of the US. Black stripe extends above eye. White foreneck is streaked with black. Breeding adult has yellowish beak and ornate plumes on head, neck, and back (as above). Compare with the Grey Heron of Eurasia. Adult Great Blue Heron has brown shoulder patch instead of the black patch of the latter.
In this close-up and frontal view you can see how many varied colors the bird has. The discoloration in the lower left of the frame is due to intervening shrub leaves/branches.
Nikon 500mm f/4e lens, f/6.3, 1/500s, ISO 640.
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Flickr Explore: October 09, 2023
Tags: Red Great Blue Heron Sunrays+5
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Large duck with long, slim neck and thin, hooked red beak. White breast and sides and lack of crest distinguish male from Red-breasted Merganser. Female's bright chestnut, crested head and neck contrast sharply with white chin and white breast. Eclipse male (young male) resembles female but retains wing pattern (single black bar across wing). Female has white inner secondaries, partially crossed by black bar. Notice the green and red gloss in the head of this male. Common Mergansers nest in crevices in woodlands near lakes and rivers; in winter sometimes also found on brackish waters.
Very lucky to spot this duck and her partner in the campus pond the evening of March 17 and on March 18. The pair was gone the next day!
Nikon 500mm f/4e lens, x 1.4, f/5.6, 1/1600s, ISO 500.
Thanks to all of you who fave and/or comment on the photograph!
Tags: Common Merganser UMass, Amherst Sunrays+5
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Large duck with long, slim neck and thin, hooked red beak. White breast and sides and lack of crest distinguish male from Red-breasted Merganser. Female's bright chestnut, crested head and neck contrast sharply with white chin and white breast. Eclipse male (young male) resembles female but retains wing pattern (single black bar across wing). Female has white inner secondaries, partially crossed by black bar. Notice the green and red gloss in the head of this male. Common Mergansers nest in crevices in woodlands near lakes and rivers; in winter sometimes also found on brackish waters.
Very lucky to spot this duck and his partner in the campus pond the evening of March 17 and on March 18. The pair was gone the next day!
Nikon 500mm f/4e lens, x 1.4, f/5.6, 1/2500s, ISO 500.
Thanks to all of you who fave and/or comment on the photograph!
Tags: Common Merganser UMass Amherst Sunrays+5
© All Rights Reserved