Canada Goose close up – Nikon D500, f10, 1/400, ISO 320, -0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I relish it when I have the opportunity to ethically take portraits of my subjects because they show all the fine details of the subject’s face and eyes. At a pond near where I live I am often able to take portraits of the birds that frequent the pond because they are used to people being around and the birds aren’t afraid to walk up and get close as long as I can sit still, sudden movements can stress them so I avoid moving around. I can also use a vehicle as a mobile blind at the pond which increases my chances of my subjects coming in close.
Three days ago when the sun broke through the clouds in the afternoon I went to the pond and was able to take several Canada Geese portraits with the blue water of the pond in the background.
Adult Canada Goose close up – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/640, ISO 320, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The geese were on the shore of the pond mixed in with resting ducks, coots and gulls with the late afternoon light on their faces and on the surface of the water.
I know many people think of Canada Geese as pests but I enjoy their appearance, their loud and raucous calls, watching them fly in v-formations and observing how they break those formations to land.
Canada Goose portrait with open bill – Nikon D500, f10, 1/200, ISO 320, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I couldn’t resist taking these Canada Geese portraits, I had the opportunity, the light was delightful and they were there.
But honestly, as many of you know, I can’t resist taking photos of birds any time, any where. My name is Mia and I am addicted to bird photography.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Canada Goose photos plus facts and information about this species.
Thank you all for your comments on these Canada Geese portraits.
Stunning detail Mia, have a great Christmas!
As far as addictions go, there are worse ones to have (and share). Many, many worse.
Love the Canada Geese – a species I will never see.
Canada Geese are some of the most beautiful geese. They are common, but so are magpies, flickers, and ravens, and they are also very beautiful and yet frequently taken for granted. Thanks Mia for the great portraits. I wonder if the top image is of a Cackling Goose? This one looks to have a shorter bill and smaller head. Was it any smaller in stature than the others? It is very hard to tell the difference, I notice them when they are in groups together with Canada Geese (frequently at Monte Vista NWR in Colorado I see groups of Cackling Geese next to groups of Canada Geese).
Hi Ed, we do get Cackling Geese during spring and fall migration but this goose was only a tiny bit smaller than the other geese around it so it might be a different subspecies but it wasn’t a Cackling goose.
Mia
I love your close-ups, Canada geese included…I think they are noisy, messy, feisty and beautiful. I love the wild sound of their calls as they fly overhead….
I love all birds but must admit I have always been attracted to Canada Geese. It’s something about the soft brown eyes. One of my favorite children’s books I read to my daughter was The Fledgling by Jane Langton. I think you would find it enjoyable too.
Beautiful photos Mia. Detail is splendiferous.
Great addiction to have. I know, I have it too.
It’s good to know that there are other “addicts” in the world,
in addition to this one in Sarasota, Florida. Good to see
that you are having fun up there in the cold… Almost 8am,
and the thermometer reads 69 degrees. Want me to send
you some of it??? Have a good day and keep clicking that
shutter. That is the only thing I know that will soften the
pangs of such an addiction… ;-)))