Raindrops on the back of a Canada Goose

This photo was taken yesterday morning, 14 April 2016, when I was on a walk with friends in Carburn Park. I almost didn't bother to go on this walk, as it was such a gloomy, overcast morning, along with an occasional bit of light drizzle. I love to see water droplets on a bird's feathers, and this Canada Goose was close enough for a photo in the drizzle. Ducks and Geese preen and rub oil from a gland at the base of their tail all over their feathers. Water really does "roll off a duck's (Goose's) back", as the old saying goes.

We used to see lots of goslings at this park several years ago, but people started to complain about the mess that Geese made on the ground. This resulted, sadly, in the Goose eggs being 'oiled', to make sure no goslings were hatched.

"A familiar and widespread goose with a black head and neck, white chinstrap, light tan to cream breast and brown back. Has increased in urban and suburban areas in recent years; just a decade or two after people intentionally introduced or reintroduced “giant” Canada Geese to various areas, they are often considered pests." From AllAboutBirds.

www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/canada_goose/id

The large group divided into three smaller groups, and each group didn't necessarily see every species on our main leader's final list. The list is long, but it might just give someone an idea of what is being seen at that park at the moment. Also helps to jog my own memory.

"FFCPPSoc. Spring Birding, Carburn Park, Calgary, 0915-1215, Thu 14Apr2016. Cloudy, light sprinkle, N wind 15 kph. 4 – 8°C. Combined results of three groups.

Canada Goose-70
Wood Duck-2
American Wigeon-8
Mallard-50
GREEN-WINGED TEAL-5
Common Goldeneye-40
Common Merganser-128
OSPREY-1
Bald Eagle-2 ad..
Sharp-shinned Hawk-1
COOPER’S HAWK-1
RED-TAILED HAWK-3+
Merlin-1
FRANKLIN’S GULL-15
Ring-billed Gull-30+
California Gull-1
Herring Gull-6+
Rock Pigeon-1
Downy Woodpecker-8
Hairy Woodpecker-1, excavating nest cavity
Northern Flicker-12
Black-billed Magpie-10
American Crow-2
Common Raven-2
TREE SWALLOW-2500+
NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW-1
Black-capped Chickadee-8.
Red-breasted Nuthatch-4, excavating nest.
White-breasted Nuthatch-1
RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET-3
American Robin-60
European Starling-100+
Bohemian Waxwing-10
SONG SPARROW-2
Dark-eyed Junco-2
Red-winged Blackbird-3
House Finch-3
RED CROSSBILL-4+
White-winged Crossbill-1+
Pine Siskin-2
House Sparrow-12

Eastern Gray Squirrel-3
Muskrat-2
JUMPING MOUSE sp.-1"