See something different about Bird Lady Blog? A new and improved format! I got a fancy new all-in-one computer with a 23" screen, and the old blog looked so puny and small. I didn't like it at all, so I updated to a new format. The photos are a lot bigger and look much better on a dark background. Along with my new computer, I bought Photoshop Elements 11, an upgrade from my Elements 7. These were the first set of pictures I downloaded, and I must say I'm loving the new version! Hope you enjoy!
The other day I was in town and had some time to myself after meeting a friend for lunch. I decided to visit Riverfront Park in downtown Spokane to see what ducks and geese I might find along the river that runs through the park by the infamous Looff Carousel. I paid $2 to park across the street from the park for an hour. As soon as I entered the park, I could see quite the group of ducks and geese. I was able to get within a few feet of them and started snapping photos. They didn't seem to mind at all.
There was a lone Common Goldeneye in the group. A handsome fellow indeed...
 |
| Common Goldeneye |
About a dozen Mallards...
 |
| Mallards |
Half a dozen American Wigeon...
 |
| American Wigeon |
Three pairs of Canadian Geese. Notice the water droplets?
 |
| Canadian Goose |
This bad boy was smoking a cigarette!
 |
| A cigarette smoking Wigeon |
There was one strange looking brown-headed duck that I had to research when I got home. After looking through my pics and looking online, I decided that it is a Mallard of some sort. Anyone seen one like this before?
 |
| An interesting Brown-headed Mallard |
It can be quite challenging to identify wild and domesticated ducks and geese because they can interbreed, hybridize, and mutate. So even after researching online, consulting my bird books and coming to a semi-conclusion of what the following geese are, I am not confident on my I.D. The more I research, the more I question my guess and I have changed my mind several times.
I believe the goose in the back is a Greater White-fronted Goose. I also thought the front goose was a Greater White-fronted Goose. Then I read something that led me to believe the front goose was perhaps a hybrid Greylag Goose. I found that the White-fronted Geese and Greylag Geese look a lot alike, so I'm not really sure what these three are. If anyone has any input on this, please comment. The middle one, looks like the front one, but honestly, I can't find any pics that look just like this one, but I'd have to venture that it is the same as the front goose. All I know is that I'm really confused on goose identities! Notice the wattle on the front goose?
 |
| Greater White-fronted Geese or Greylag Geese or hybrids? |
The goose in the middle is a Chinese Goose, closely related to a Swan Goose and African Goose.
 |
| Swan Goose or Chinese Goose with Canadian Geese |
This boy was so handsome. No questions about his identity!
 |
| Mallard Male |
Look what a cute duck butt this guy has...
 |
| American Wigeon preening |
Just when it seemed Spring was not far off, we got a fresh covering of snow to remind us that we are still in the middle of Winter. Back to hibernation for this chickadee!
~ Sherrie (Bird Lady)
