An interesting goose day at Lake Fairfax
(Click each picture to see a high-resolution version) On this day (February 2, 2017), I made two brief stops at Lake Fairfax. During lunch, I went to the lake (I work nearby). A Greater White-fronted Goose was reported there. Almost immediately after my arrival, I located the goose.
Greater White-fronted Goose
About a week earlier, I also found a Cackling Goose here (first reported by other birders; I merely "found" it for myself). After scanning the flock of geese (mostly Canada), I located the Cackling Goose too:
Cackling Goose
While scanning these geese, I also noticed a Canada Goose with an almost complete white eye-ring; this was a little unusual, and this bird does not appear to have any leucistic trait.
Canada Goose with white eye-ring
That was my first stop. After work, I made another stop. This time again I located the Greater White-fronted Goose, this time in beautiful light of the setting sun, unfortunately, the bird was still too far to get really good pictures.
Greater White-fronted Goose
This time I did not find the Cackling Goose. However, while I hiked around the lake and scanned the flock, I noticed another unusual Canada Goose, this one with a white eye! Although the bird was distant, I observed it for a while and am certain its eye color was not from reflection. Poor thing probably has this eye blind.
Canada Goose with white eye
Just when I was about to leave, yet another unusual goose caught my attention: this was a Bar-headed Goose. This bird has been hanging around here for several years now, and I had seen it before. The consensus is that it is an escape from the nearby Reston Zoo, so it does not "count" (it is not a "listable" bird). But don't tell the goose that; this one has been a free bird for several years now and it is free as .. well, a bird. Ironically, it is also this goose that let me get the closest and take the best pictures.
Bar-headed Goose
Reminder: To see the latest of my pictures, please join the Nature Lovers of Virginia Facebook group.