This Pink-footed Goose was in amongst a gaggle of Greylag Geese today at Eye Green LNR (the scene of the Scaup sighting earlier in the week). He was on his own, although there was another present yesterday when the two were again found by Josh Jones.
This bird does not represent a new year `tick` for me, but was showing remarkably close at times and so provided me with some good views. It`s just a shame that the sun refused to come out whilst I was on site which has led to these dull shots. For some better photos of this lovely little goose,click HERE.
You got some nice shots to go along with your 'Tick' anyway John.
ReplyDeleteThanks Roy, although I think Mike`s are a lot better!
DeleteJ
It is a Greylag Geese with pink feet, brilliant photos.
ReplyDeleteThanks Bob, it`s a small Greylag with pink feet! ;)
DeleteJ
Hello John. Permit me to display my ignorance; if it weren't for the shape of it's bill I would take this beautiful bird for a duck. I always thought of geese as having longer necks.
ReplyDeleteIt just goes to show Bazza that you live and learn. Definitely a goose and a lot bigger than most ducks.
DeleteJ
Despite the lack of sun, your photos are very nice! The Pink-footed goose does blend right in with the Greylag.
ReplyDeleteThank you Tammy, too kind. It seemed to be quite at home with the Greylags, I think it felt safe with its larger cousins!
DeleteJ
Lovely photos, John. It looks very at home with the Greylags.
ReplyDeleteHi Jan,
DeleteThank you, yes, it seemed to be right at home!
J
What a fabulous looking goose! I just watched the movie, "The Big Year" with Owen Wilson, Eddie Murphy and John Black. Have you seen the movie? One of the characters manages to see a pink footed goose for his big year count. If it weren't for the movie, I'd never would have heard of this goose until I read your blog!
ReplyDeleteHi Rebecca,
DeleteIt is a nice looking goose! I haven`t seen the film, but have read the book and it struck me as quite funny that this type of goose is so rare in the states as to be `twitched`!
J
Oops! Not Eddie Murphy, Steve Martin. Now that I know it's a book, I think I'll read it. And.... (hee,hee) thanks so much for the vocab lesson. I had to ask Uncle Google about the meaning of 'twitched'.
DeleteYes, it`s quite a good book, opens your eyes to the more extreme lengths some birders got to in order to see a bird! The author is Mark Obmascik.
DeleteJ
Lovely birds to see John.. I took a picture of a big flock coming into Martin Mere a couple of years ago... The BBC and Autumnwatch used it for their website... Me dead chuffed.
ReplyDeleteHi Andrew,
DeleteThank you. I am not surprised you were/are chuffed, a very big honour, especially with the likes of pedantic and picky Mr. Packham viewing photos!
J
Geese are so much better to look at close up than when high in the sky. Beautiful in flight too.
ReplyDeleteI suppose that you can see the different feather colours etc when they are on the deck, although, when any bird is flying it is a marvel to behold.
DeleteJ