Canadus Interruptus

Gallery: AvianPosted May 18, 20181,385 views5 comments

During a one day local tour earlier this spring I witnessed, for the first time, Canada goose courtship. I see these birds everywhere, but I was surprised to see them pairing off, dipping and splashing their heads underwater in a coordinated ritual that shows their partner that they're ready to mate. It was pretty cool to see.

Naturally, tensions were high among many of the birds...

Canon 1DXII
Canon 600mm f/4 IS
ISO 1600
1/1000th
f/8
(Hand-held)

Max

Comments

5 comments

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on May 18, 2018 at 6:55 PM

Mercy! No doubt an easy opportunity for anthropomorphism, but they are doing what they do. Thanks for showing this action so vividly.

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on May 18, 2018 at 9:20 PM

Great action and a good composition in this one, Max. My only nit is that I wish there were a touch more room all around, but some creative matting would fix that in a print.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by David Schoen on May 20, 2018 at 5:29 PM

Really fine action shot. These geese can get very aggressive and territorial. I think the image can be a little brighter but if you took it here in the Pacific Northwest I certainly understand

Registered on November 6, 2006, 1213 Posts, 4587 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on May 24, 2018 at 2:16 PM

Cool action shot Max, I like the action and the comp, well done. devil

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Minish on May 29, 2018 at 12:29 AM

Some hot and heavy action going on there and you captured it very nicely, Max! I'm surprised you stopped the action that well with only 1/1000. Great detail in the subject birds and the background birds really adds to the scene. I really like the real life action shots like this.

Registered on February 4, 2006, 625 Posts, 3583 Comments