Specklebelly Geese

NorthernFocus

Greater white-fronted geese (commonly known as specklebellies) from last spring. Still going through files from then :dunno

Nikon D200 w/80-400mm VR

The feet are really that orange. No increased saturation in PP. Just cropping, a bump in contrast, and USM.





In this shot it's easy to see why they are called specklebellies. Not easy for a hunter to mis-identify these when they're landing in the decoys.

Jack'll do

Very nice captures Dan. I've not seen these geese before. thumb

Maestro

Very good set. I especially like the last one with the two coming in for a landing. When they are wintering down south their colors certainly do not pop like that.

Ric Grupe

Maestro wrote:

Very good set. I especially like the last one with the two coming in for a landing.

...very nice.

dlplumer

Ric Grupe wrote:

...very nice.

+1

NorthernFocus

Thanks for the comments, folks. I'm running out of files to scour through for lost images. I hope we get a break in the weather soon

Maestro wrote:

...When they are wintering down south their colors certainly do not pop like that.

I've seen some photos posted of specklebellies wintering down south and the legs look more yellow. I know a lot of birds light up during mating season so maybe that's what's going on with these guys Whatever the case it makes them easy to spot amongst a flock of Canada geese.

PrescottPhotog

articblooms wrote:

Greater white-fronted geese (commonly known as specklebellies) from last spring. Still going through files from then

Hi Dan, Very nice shots. I've never seen Specklebellies before, another new critter for the memory files. My favorite is #3, very nice shot.

How cold is it up there.. I heard 40 below.. brrrrrrrrr

NorthernFocus

Thanks, Chris. We haven't seen it above -30F for three weeks now. As low as -50. We've had a continuously moving forecast of relief in three or four days. They'll be right sooner or later. For sure by May.

I fired a whole sequence of shots of those two landing. Unfortunately I was using a Nikkor 80-400 which is the old slow mechanical drive AF and this is the only one that was reasonably in focus. A couple of the other shots had better wing position but just were beyond recovery with my level of PP skills.

Harryb

Good captures, especially #3.

NorthernFocus

Thanks, Harry.