Take a gander at this - a photo on Flickriver

            Canada geese at the Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden.  This guy hissed at me pretty fiercely, as he didn't want me horning in on his grazing.

The Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) is a wild goose with a black head and neck, white patches on the face, and a brownish-gray body. Native to arctic and temperate regions of North America, it is occasionally found in northern Europe, and has been introduced to other temperate regions.  This species ranges from 75 to 110 cm (30 to 43 in) in length and has a 127–185 cm (50–73 in) wingspan. The male usually weighs 3.2–6.5 kg (7.1–14 lb), and can be very aggressive in defending territory. The female looks virtually identical but is slightly lighter at 2.5–5.5 kg (5.5–12 lb), generally 10% smaller than its male counterpart, and has a different honk.  The life span in the wild of geese that survive to adulthood ranges 10–24 years.  This species is native to North America. It breeds in Canada and the northern United States in a variety of habitats. Its nest is usually located in an elevated area near water such as streams, lakes, ponds and sometimes on a beaver lodge. Its eggs are laid in a shallow depression lined with plant material and down.  Like most geese, the Canada Goose is naturally migratory with the wintering range being most of the United States. The calls overhead from large groups of Canada Geese flying in V-shaped formation signal the transitions into spring and autumn. In some areas, migration routes have changed due to changes in habitat and food sources. In mild climates from California to the Great Lakes, some of the population has become non-migratory due to adequate winter food supply and a lack of former predators.  Such is the case with these geese here.

Canada Geese are primarily herbivores, although they sometimes eat small insects and fish. Their diet includes green vegetation and grains. The Canada Goose eats a variety of grasses when on land. It feeds by grasping a blade of grass with the bill, then tearing it with a jerk of the head. The Canada Goose also eats beans and grains such as wheat, rice, and corn when they are available. In the water, it feeds from silt at the bottom of the body of water. It also feeds on aquatic plants, such as seaweeds. In urban areas, they are also known to pick food out of garbage bins.

A very adaptable bird, which in this case has found the perfect home.

Taken in: United States / California / Arcadia / Santa Anita (show map)

Taken on: June 12, 2012

Tags:

birds

geese

animals

wildlife

nature

portrait

Canada Geese

Branta

Branta canadensis

Olympus

OM-D

E-M5

m43

MFT

micro four thirds

mirrorless

40-150mm

bokeh

DOF

California

Los Angeles

Arboretum

botanic garden

grass

grazing

40-150mm f/4-5.6 M.Zuiko « less

Sets appears in: • 40-150mm f/4.0-5.6 M.Zuiko lens • Olympus OM-D E-M5 more » • For the Birds « less

Groups appears in: • Sierra Club's Daily Ray of Hope • Micro Four Thirds Community more » • Birds Birds Birds ! (Check out the new discussion) • Bokeh Wednesdays (anybody can join) • Animals/Birds of Planet Earth • Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden Official Group • Discover Los Angeles • Olympus Europe - Photography • Olympus PEN-F,OM-D E-M1, E-M10, E-M5 and E-M5II user « less

Camera: Olympus E-M5, f/5.6, 1/640 sec, 150mm (=300mm), ISO 200 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Olympus E-M5
Aperture:	f/5.6
Exposure Time:	0.002 sec (1/640)
Focal Length:	150mm (35mm equivalent: 300mm)
ISO:	200
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	On, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Aperture-priority AE
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Saturation:	High
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	Adobe Photoshop Elements 10.0 Macintosh
Show full info

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