Blue Goose

A blue goose is the less common bluish-gray color morph of the snow goose.  Snow geese are usually white with black wing tips, and to me the blue goose looks more interesting. These birds spend their summers on the Arctic tundra, and winters south in Canada, the U.S., and Mexico.  The suburban Chicago location where this photo was taken is probably just a stopping off point on it's southerly migration.

Ebirders have filed reports with up to three snow geese simultaneously at this wetland. I've only seen one snow goose at a time, usually a white one sleeping in an inaccessible spot on the far side of the water. Although I've never seen one prior to this month, they are abundant at a population of 5 million plus.

The photo was taken within 30 minutes of sunset, and the sun was behind clouds on the western horizon.  Low light is not my preference, but I came back to the wetland a second time today specifically to capture a snow goose photo. It was a short window of opportunity. The blue goose flew off with a gaggle of Canada geese 1.5 minutes after the photo was taken.

I hope this write up made more sense with less rambling than some of the 11 pm posts I've recently submitted!