This past Friday I saw these Canada Geese with bright red neck collars at RNWR. I have gotten pretty good (I think) at separating out the Canada from the Cackling Geese, but I haven't really tried to determine the subspecies of each of these species. These Canada Geese, however, seem to be good candidates for a Dusky Canada Goose subspecies based on their dark breasts (notice the difference in breast coloration of the lead bird on the left in the top image with the rest).One of the great things about finding birds with bands, in addition to finding out some of its history, is that you can find out its subspecies if one exists. So I have submitted these neck band codes to the USGS and will find out if my ID is correct. I was able to make out seven band codes by searching through the 62 images I took of the birds.I had another experience with neck collars this past December when I came across some banded Tundra Swans, again at RNWR. I submitted three codes and received certificates with the banding information in about a week.
As you can see, two of the Swans were banded by Ms. Susan Savage on 7/20/2009 in Alaska, while the other was banded by Ms. Kristine M. Sowl on 7/26/2007 in a different part of Alaska. The thing that jumped out at me when I received these certificates, was that the Swans were identified as Whistling Swans. At the time, Tundra Swans were new to me and I was trying to pick out a Trumpeter Swan amongst all the Tundras. I didn't realize that Tundra Swans are composed of two subspecies; the Whistling Swan and the Bewick's Swan. Bewick's typically can be identified by a large amount of yellow on the upper part of their bill, but there are variances that can make positive identification tricky.
Update:It's been suggested that the hybrid is too large to be a cross with a Greater White-fronted Goose and is probably a cross with a domestic Graylag. Also, larger Canada Goose subspecies do not breed in the Arctic, the White-fronted's breeding area. Both are good arguments against a Greater White-fronted x Canada Goose cross.
Original Post:
Today I spent an hour during the late afternoon at TRNWR since it was such a nice sunny day. When I got there I stopped by the visitor center to check the water level and see if there was anything interesting in the rising ponds. There were several Canada Geese swimming in the pond at the time and since it is fair distance to the pond I just took a few shots and moved on to the trail.Tonight while I was going through the the pictures I realized there was apparently a pretty obvious Canada x Greater White-fronted Goose hybrid among the Geese. The group in the image above is lead by a Greater White-fronted Goose. Following, surrounded by three Canada Geese, is the hybrid. It has the body coloration of a Canada, but its neck is browner and more variable. The white cheek of its Canada influence is almost nearly disguised. To me the most telling characteristics is the pinkish, orange beak and the white feathers at the base of the beak. Both influenced by the Greater White-fronted genealogy.
For those that frequent Fernhill Wetlands, you expect to be greeted by the hybrid Mallards that hang out near the parking lot. These birds are the result of cross breeding between some resident white domesticated ducks and wild Mallards. They produce quite a variety of blotchy, multicolored offspring.Yesterday I came across another hybrid water fowl; a hybrid Canada or Cackling Goose. When I took this picture, I thought the white goose was a Snow Goose as I had seen a couple with a large flock of Cacklers a couple of weeks ago. But when I viewed the images tonight, I realized that it must be a domestic goose as its wings are missing the black primaries of the Snow Goose.Then I noticed something else. If you look at the goose in front of the white domestic goose, you will notice that the white cheek patch is large and smudged looking. Even closer examining reveals that its legs have an orange tint. After some internet research it is apparent that this is a hybrid.I'm still not very good at differentiating between Canada and Cackling Geese while in flight, but I think the goose in the lead is a Canada Goose and the trailing Goose is a Cackling Goose. I base this on the smaller size and shorter neck length of the trailer. I'm guessing that the Cackler and the domestic goose are the parents of the hybrid.
I pulled into Mentor Graphics last Sunday to see what was hanging out at the ponds. There were a few people who looked like they had been taking a walk standing off a bit from the first pond looking at something. I didn't think too much of it until I got out of the car and saw that the two Canada Geese that were on the grass next to the pond had several goslings! What an experience. They were the cutest things. I had the rented 400mm lens and almost didn't need it as I kept having to back up to get everything in the frame. I still haven't had a chance to go through all the pictures I took, but I just happened to look at this one and decided I had to post it. What a cute picture of what looks like a shy gosling peeking its head out from behind one of its parents.
Another one from the Rhododendron Garden. There were a couple of geese just standing next to me as I rounded a corner on a path. They get fed so much and are so used to people being around that they didn't run off. I also think they were sleepy, as this image suggests, as they were even less flighty than normal. They stood there, still, like they were posing for me.
The Canada Geese Goslings are growing up up fast. I took these pictures a week ago yesterday at Fernhill Wetlands near the parking lot. Birds are typically pretty tame in this area as people frequently feed them here. 
This seemed to catch on as one the goslings also started flapping. Of course, it doesn't have much to flap yet.
Eventually, the gaggle made their way down to the water. I've noticed a behavior that the parents exhibit with their young on more than one occasion. They lower their head, then extend it out forward. It's kind of like they are herding the goslings, showing them the way. 
I'm not sure if this is the real intent, but it is interesting.
