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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Branta Canadensis
The Canada Goose was once an uncommon bird. In particular, the subspecies known as the giant Canada Goose was considered extinct until a few remnant populations were discovered in the early 1960's. Over-hunting and destruction of wetlands had driven them to the brink. Improved game management practices and extensive re-introduction programs were begun to stabilize the subspecies and today it is doing fine. Originally a North American bird, the Canada goose has also been transplanted successfully to Britain and Scandinavia. A 1991 census recorded 63,581 in the United Kingdom.
Apparently there are up to eleven subspecies of Canada geese. The largest is the giant, with a wingspan of 6 feet and weighing up to 24 pounds. The smallest subspecies is the so-called "cackling" goose, which weighs only 2-4 pounds. The giant Canada goose is native to the Great Plains. It is unique in being non-migratory, at least in comparison to the other subspecies. The other subspecies nest from southern Canada up to the high Arctic tundra, and travel long distances in their annual migration. If the winter is mild, the giant may not leave its nesting area at all.
When they do travel, Canada Geese stay in family groups. The parents fly with the young of the year. If you watch a large flock of geese come in for a landing, you can often see the different family units peel off in smaller clusters before they alight.
The family bond begins at the nest. Canada Geese mate for life. In Kansas, they begin to build their nest as early as mid-March. The nest is a large mound of vegetation such as grass and cattail stems lined with down. It is usually located within sight of water.
Four to Seven eggs make up a typical clutch and incubation is done solely by the female. The male (gander) zealously guards the nest and will attack any intruders. Incubation takes 25 to 30 days and the goslings are led to water within a day after hatching.
After hatching, there is an amazing change in the attitude of the gander. Where he would previously chase off any other geese in the area, he now becomes much more tolerant of them. Indeed, if there are other clutches of goslings in the area, they will often group together in flocks called "crèches" and be looked after by all the adults.
Canada Geese are very vocal creatures and their language is not hard to pick up if you pay close attention. Aside from vocalizations, geese have a whole vocabulary of "body language" that is also very interesting to observe.
(www.gpnc.org)
Taken at my local pond.
This is quite a tight crop, but I like it. Thanks for taking the time to look. |
liquidsunshine, marhowie, Fisher, carper, dew77, Comandante, TAZ, sAner, PDP has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes. |
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Wonderful shot Julia,
Very sharp, clear and crisp detail. Nicely composed and very well exposed. Good DOF, POV and BG. Nicely framed too.
Thanks for posting
Great portrait Julia! Very nice POV and pose with the head turned at the perfect angle for the shot..I like the BG green with the light and shadow..Very good exposure with excellent sharpness, details and color..An excellent note, Very well done!
- Fisher
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1540 W: 309 N: 2234]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(8915) - [2005-07-05 22:22]
- [+]
Super shot of the C goose.
Excellent composition and details. what a view, I like your POV.
Mike
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- carper
(8208)
- [2005-07-06 0:48]
- [+]
very nice shot Julia,
the contrast with the close up goose is very nice, it is good composed, and the dof is very nice, well done,
gr. Jaap
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- dew77
(13069)
- [2005-07-06 3:50]
- [+]
Hello Julia!
Wonderful goose portrait.Sharpness,DOF,lighting,framing and composition are perfect.TFS...:-)
That's a beautiful portrait, Julia. I like this unusual angle you chose. Very well done, taking into account that the black color is difficult to manage in photography.
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- livios
(16856)
- [2005-07-06 13:01]
- [+]
Julia, vivid colors, great contrast and effective use of dof.
Sharpness is very nice too.
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- sAner
(4742)
- [2005-07-06 13:39]
- [+]
Hello Julia,
This is a superb portrait! I really like the colors and the details are supersharp. Very well done & TFS!
Regards,
Pieter
Hello Julia!
Very nice portrait.Colors,DOF,clear details,framing and composition are excellent.very well done!thanks for sharing.
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- TAZ
(10918)
- [2005-07-07 3:34]
- [+]
Beautiful and interesting portrait for this pretty duck ! Composition, colors, details and sharpness are great ! Thanks for sharing Julia.
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- PDP
(11755)
- [2006-01-26 14:26]
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Hi Julia, very nice quality portrait. I think it could be improved if the head were isolated - ie no body in in the BG, apart from that it's lovely.
![Gold Star Critiquer [C: 72 W: 6 N: 94]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-n.gif){kind=small}