It snowed down here!

Al Hansen

Well-known member
I had a chance to run down to Bosque del Apache NWR this week and was not disappointed in what I saw. In about one month from now most of these light geese will be heading north on their reverse migration.

While I was sitting at one of the ponds that was holding maybe 500 light geese which were mostly snows, a military helicopter flew up the Rio Grande corridor and sent a flock of maybe 10,000 light geese into a panic. They all headed for the pond that I was on. All I can tell you is that 1,024 pictures later, I went home.
Al

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What an elegant pair of snow geese this blue phase and white make.

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This Ross' goose was stretching his wings. I noticed that it is lacking the tell-tale warts on his upper mandible. Maybe he is still too young or it could be a hybrid Ross'/snow.

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Great shots Al! On top of seeing all the geese I enjoyed seeing open water. It has been months since I have seen any around here.
 
Al - Thank you for the wonderful photo's. They are much appreciated. I'm surprised by the low number of Blues. I spent much of my miss spent youth, and middle age, on a quest for Greater & Lesser Snows, and Ross. Time well spent! From my experience, the older the Ross, the more "warty protuberances" at the base of the bill. The print Canadian Gold, by Michael Sieve, is on the wall in my Man Room. Not one day goes by without me looking at it, and reliving a flood of memories. Plus some damn fine Snow Goose Sandwiches. Why some call them Sky Carp baffles the hell outta me, as they are one fine bird.
 
That's a much nicer blizzard then the one we had here a couple days ago. :)
1K that's all?!?!?! HAHAHA That is one thing digital has over film. Nice bunch of photos. Those Ross' are interesting little geese.

Tim
 
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Nice pics Al

You didnt get hit with any of that green hail that comes with that kind of snow storm?
When I lived in Fortesque NJ we would have those green hailstorms daily in the winter .LOL
 
AL - as always - great photos

i can be there with a snow blower - it will take a few days
 
Al, only a little flurries last week for me but it brought some jewelry with it. Band lab said, greater snow goose, born 2008 or prior, banded 8/2009, bylot island, nuvunat, Canada. Spelling of location maybe off.
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Gene R.
 
That helps explain the spring snow season limits and methods. All I can say is WOOOW. Thanks for the pics Al.

Hey, Tom. There were lots of gray geese this year. By that I mean the snows and Ross' seemed to have had a fantastic year in raising youngsters.
Al
 
Al
You always come up with something that's unique in you area--thanks!
wis boz

Hi Jim----sure glad that you enjoyed what you saw. Once again, I can't begin to tell you how lucky we are that we opted to live in the Land of Enchantment!
Al
 
Great shots Al! On top of seeing all the geese I enjoyed seeing open water. It has been months since I have seen any around here.

Paul, I'm glad you talked about that. I never gave it a thought but that has to be an awakening for the move you and Susan made.
Thanks for the positive comments on the pictures. I had fun and it was the first time that I got my act together with my 7D and the 100-400mm lens.
Al
 
You know Al, somewhere there is a magazine editor screaming at his staff to get him pics like these!

John

All I can say, John, is that I had a good chuckle over what you said. I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures.
Al
 
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