No 100: Barnacle Goose

So, finally, I reached my target of 100! Back in the dark days of January when I first started to blip, I decides I would set myself a target of 50 different birds in as many days in order to help me learn about birds. I achieved that back in March, and not only did it fulfil that objective, but it also made sure that in the first winter of my retirement, I got out and about regularly on days when it might have been easier to stay at home. The next 50 birds have been accumulated at a more leisurely pace. Because of the nature of Blipfoto, the bird pictures have not always been my best photo of that particular bird, and as on some days I have had to choose just one picture, there have been birds I have photographed but not blipped. Today, for instance, I could have blipped a snow bunting, seen on the beach at Minsmere, which was a lifer for me, but dear reader, it would have looked like two or three pebbles on a pebble beach. I saw and photographed a marsh sandpiper, which is apparently a rarity, but didn't blip it as it was just a speck in the distance.
Anyway, I won't get any blip balloons for this, but for me, it's a more significant blip. I could have waited forever for something extra-special to turn up for #100, but that would have missed the point. I didn't choose these geese, they chose me! Friends in the real world and in the Blip- and Twittersphere have been really supportive, so thanks to them; I hope they know who they are! I won't stop with the new birds as photographing wildlife has become the default setting for blipping, but perhaps I'll look for another challenge for 2012. Any suggestions will be gratefully received and considered.
As I'm on holiday and don't have access to broadband, I've neglected my commenting. I hope to catch up with those when I get home. Also, I'll try and decide which are my "top 3".

Barnacle Geese are so named because in medieval times, people explained their sudden appearance from nowhere by saying they emerged from barnacle shells! How bizarre is that!