November 3rd 2006. Aqua Vitae road, Hadley, MA. Richardson's Cackling Goose Branta hutchinsii hutchinsii. Had a nice fly-over Cackling Goose in Hadley this morning. I've been keeping an eye on the regular morning flights of Canada Geese over Hadley and Northampton during the last week or so. This morning I picked out this Cackler with the naked eye as it flew directly overhead at 09:48hrs. At all times appeared much smaller, slighter and slimmer than Canada Goose with a different wing shape being proportionately narrower at the base of the wings and more pointed at the wing tips. The wing beats were fast but rather fluid. Nice views of the upperwing through the scope revealed a much paler, pearly gray pattern on the coverts. I followed the flock in flight for about 5 minutes before the birds disappeared over Hatfield to the north. Images taken using Canon Powershot A540 through Leica 8x42 binoculars. |
 Richardson's Cackling Goose - second from right.  Richardson's Cackling Goose - third from right.  Richardson's Cackling Goose - third from top.  Richardson's Cackling Goose - third from top.  Richardson's Cackling Goose - center. Nice comparison of wing shapes, the Cackler looking slimmer winged and rather more pointed at the wing tips.
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