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.

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Flickr Explore: February 1, 2024

Tags:   Pink-footed Goose Rare Goose Anser brachyrhynchus 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 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.

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Tags:   Common Merganser UMass Amherst Sunrays+5

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Stubby, triangular bill lacks Snow Goose's grinning patch and shows warty bluish or greenish base at close range; neck shorter, head rounder. White phase has black primaries. Very rare visitor to mid-Atlantic states and East coast.

This lone goose was nestled along hundreds of migrating Canadian Geese. Was munching on the lawn grass.

Nikon 500mm f/4e lens, f/6.3, 1/1250s, ISO 640.

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Tags:   Rare goose Ross' Goose Western Massachusetts Amherst, MA Sunrays+5

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Black stripe extends above eye. A common heron found year round in many parts of the US. 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 (seen above) instead of the black patch of the latter.

The Great Blue Heron hunting: such stealth, such deceit, such agility, such swiftness, such accuracy. Multi-colors in the background in the above picture are due to reflections of Fall foliage on water.

Nikon VR 500mm f/4e lens, f/6.3, 1/1000s, ISO 320.

Thanks to all of you who fave and/or comment on the photograph!

Tags:   Great Blue Heron with catch Sunrays+5 coth5

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