I returned to Lamplighter (the correct name) Pond this early evening. Another visited earlier and found at least 10 Cacklers, but at 5pm I estimated up to 30 Cacklers. I also heard frequent vocalizations; I think a more appropriate name would be "Yelping Goose." I also ran into Chet Meyers while I was there, who estimated at least 5 races of Canada Goose (of ~150 birds present). I was able to take some less-than-mediocre pictures, the first time I have taken pictures on my own. I hope these pictures will further the understanding about Cackling Goose identification.
Pic #1: Cackler in front with Canada in back; see size comparison: http://moumn.org/jpg/536-2.JPG Pic #2: A slightly better comparison between Cackling (three in front), "Common" Canadas (two in back) and what may be a "lesser" Canada (farthest in back.) This illistrates the close size difference between Canada races and Cacklings: http://moumn.org/jpg/536-3.JPG Pic #3: Individual Cackler. http://moumn.org/jpg/536-4.JPG Pic #4: Size comparison between two Cacklers (front) and Mallard. Canada in far back. http://moumn.org/jpg/536-1.JPG Pic #5: Another individual Cackler. http://moumn.org/jpg/536-5.JPG I have another pic that shows a Lesser subspecies Canada Goose that has some qualities resembling a Cackler. E-mail me off-line if you would like to see it. I would appreciate some feedback. More specifics on location of Lamplighter Pond (St. Louis Park, Hennepin Co.): It is on the east side of Texas Avenue (when you see it, it appears to be parallel to the road). It's just behind a small church (look for a parking lot, and the pond has a trail going around it). This area is ~1/2 south of the intersection of Wayzata Blvd and Texas Ave. Good birding! Alyssa DeRubeis Golden Valley, MN -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://moumn.org/pipermail/mou-net_moumn.org/attachments/20081005/37220542/attachment.html
