January 23rd, 2007. Newport Country Club, Aquidneck Island, RI. Giant Canada Goose Branta canadensis maxima. (about 6) Careful combing through the goose flocks on the country club golf course produced at least six large Canada Geese showing some characteristics of 'maxima'. These birds were generally the largest present, rather pale overall, white-breasted, with distinctively broad white cheeks which extended under the chin and into the upperpart of the black neck sock. Most birds also showed distinctive white marks across the forehead appearing as whitish spots, or sometimes an irregular whitish line. Images taken using Canon Powershot A540 through Swarovski telescope. |
 (Giant) Canada Goose - center. Looks huge with broad white cheek and pale spots on forehead clearly visible. The pale breast is affected by glare in this shot.    |