Ross's Snow Goose

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    My list of shots to strive for when visiting Bosque del Apache NWR in New Mexico always includes ones that distinguish between Ross's Goose (Chen rossii) and Snow Geese (Chen caerulescens). But invariably, the Sandhill Cranes, raptors, many species of ducks and other birds capture my attention and I return home with this item on the list unchecked....until my most recent visit in January 2018. 

Click on images to see a larger version.

Ross's and Snow Goose

The Ross's Goose (front) is smaller than the juvenile Snow Goose (back). The bill of the Ross's is shorter and stubbier and the upper mandible has bluish caruncles (wartty bumps). 

D500, 500mm f/4 lens with 1.4x teleconverter, handheld
1/3200 sec at f/7.1, ISO 450

Snow and Ross's Geese

This is the only presentable image I had that distinguishes between Snow and Ross's before the January visit to Bosque. The larger Snow Goose is in front with two Ross's following closely behind. Note that the wide bevelled gap between the mandibles ("grin patch") of the Snow Goose is either lacking or much narrower in the Ross's. This will become more apparent in subsequent images.

D300s, 500mm f/4 lens, handheld
1/1000 sec at f/8, ISO 400

Ross's and Snow Geese

Ross's (four) and Snow (one, top left) Geese in flight. Note the difference in size of the "grin patch."

D500, 300mm f/4 with 1.4x teleconverter, handheld
1/3200 sec at f/8, ISO 1600

Ross's Goose in flight

D500, 500mm f/4 lens with 1.4x teleconverter, handheld
1/2500 sec at f/6.3, ISO 360

Ross's Goose in fight

D500, 500mm f/4 lens with 1.4x teleconverter, handheld
1/2500 sec at f/6.3, ISO 400

Ross's Geese in flight

D500, 500mm f/4 lens with 1.4x teleconverter, handheld
1/2500 sec at f/6.3, ISO 360

Ross's Goose in flight

A better look at the caruncles on the upper mandible.

D500, 500mm f/4 lens with 1.4x teleconverter, handheld
1/2500 sec at f/9, ISO 1100

Six Ross's Geese in flight

D500, 300mm f/4 lens with 1.4x teleconverter, handheld
1/3200 sec at f/8, ISO 1600

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David Sparks

I retired in 2005 after 40 years of research and teaching at the University of Alabama in Birmingham (24 years), the University of Pennsylvania (8 years) and the Baylor College of Medicine (8 years). Photography is my retirement hobby.

Nature photography, especially bird photography, combines a number of things that I really enjoy: bird-watching, being outdoors, photography, travel, messing about with computers, and learning new skills and concepts.  I now spend much of my time engaged in these activities.

David Sibley in the preface to The Sibley Guide to Birds wrote "Birds are beautiful, in spectacular as well as subtle ways; their colors, shapes, actions, and sounds are among the most aesthetically pleasing in nature."  My goal is to acquire images that capture the beauty and uniqueness of selected species as well as images that highlight the engaging behaviors the birds exhibit.