Surprise Visitor

Late Sunday evening as we were returning home from the marsh, we drove by one of the ponds behind our house and noticed something unusual. In among some Canada Geese that we see all the time, was this one white bird that stood out from the rest. Even though it was quite dark by then, I still had to jump out of the car and grab a quick photo. Bad light requiring high ISO got this rather grainy image of what turned out to be a Snow Goose hanging at the edge of the water with his Canada buddies. So yesterday afternoon I went back out hoping the Canada Geese and their new friend would still be around. They were, so I got a few pics of this handsome looking Snow Goose which is a rare treat for us!

65 thoughts on “Surprise Visitor”

Patrizia M. on October 30, 2012 at 11:19 am said:

Io trovo invece che siano bellissime e per niente sgranate
Ciao, Pat

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- Phil Lanoue on October 30, 2012 at 12:56 pm said:
  
  Sono così felice che ti è piaciuto queste foto. Meno male che non sono troppo sgranate. 🙂
  
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monisertel on October 30, 2012 at 11:37 am said:

Hi phil,
WOW, brave ducks!!!
Have a nice day
moni

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- Phil Lanoue on October 30, 2012 at 12:57 pm said:
  
  Hi moni, there are not any alligators currently in that pond so the geese have no worries. 🙂
  Thanks for looking!
  
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thehappyhugger on October 30, 2012 at 11:54 am said:

They are so pretty Phil and look the one on the top looks as though he is reading the signboard 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on October 30, 2012 at 12:58 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much, glad you liked these pics!
  
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Paula on October 30, 2012 at 12:17 pm said:

Thank you for this treat, Phil 🙂 It’s a fine looking bird 😀

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- Phil Lanoue on October 30, 2012 at 12:58 pm said:
  
  Thank you for your kind comments! He is a rather nice looking bird isn’t he? 😀
  
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  - Paula on October 30, 2012 at 1:15 pm said:
    
    Exquisite 🙂
    
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    - Phil Lanoue on October 30, 2012 at 1:27 pm said:
      
      If he is still around today I’ll be sure to pass along your compliments. 🙂
      
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      - Paula on October 30, 2012 at 1:29 pm said:
        
        😉 🙂
        
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starlaschat on October 30, 2012 at 12:20 pm said:

Very Cool! Beautiful photos! :+)

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- Phil Lanoue on October 30, 2012 at 12:59 pm said:
  
  Thanks for checking these out, glad you like them!
  
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dinajohnston on October 30, 2012 at 12:21 pm said:

That’s something you don’t see here everyday. I don’t think I’ve seen one. Nice catch!

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- Phil Lanoue on October 30, 2012 at 12:59 pm said:
  
  Thanks for looking Dina! I believe this is the first time in six years I have seen a snow goose in this area.
  
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adinparadise on October 30, 2012 at 12:28 pm said:

Gorgeous bird, Phil. Looks like he came to visit his plainer cousin. “Alligators may live here”…….. is that a warning , or just permission for the allis to take up residence? 😆

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- Phil Lanoue on October 30, 2012 at 1:02 pm said:
  
  Ha ha ha that’s a great point! 😀 I’m going to take it as they have permission, and I know that’s how THEY take it. The alligators generally have the attitude that they can go anywhere they want and they are mostly correct. 🙂
  Are they welcome everywhere…? Well, that’s a different story.
  
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  - adinparadise on October 30, 2012 at 1:19 pm said:
    
    😆 I certainly wouldn’t like to try and stop them.
    
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    - Phil Lanoue on October 30, 2012 at 1:26 pm said:
      
      Smart
      
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einfachtilda on October 30, 2012 at 12:36 pm said:

Deine Enten sind so schön….keine Angst vor dem Alligator?

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- Phil Lanoue on October 30, 2012 at 1:04 pm said:
  
  Danke ja, sie sind hübschen Vögel und es gibt keine Alligatoren in diesem Teich jetzt also keine Sorgen. 😀
  
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Chillbrook on October 30, 2012 at 12:40 pm said:

Such a beautiful birds. I guess they’re not big readers given where they are hanging out. There must be safer spots. No language barrier it seems, between geeses. 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on October 30, 2012 at 1:07 pm said:
  
  Yes all them geeses do speak the same language I believe. 😀 But they are not big readers. Lucky that sign only indicates what *could* be in the pond, not what is definitely in the pond right now. 🙂
  Thanks much for looking!
  
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lylekrahn on October 30, 2012 at 12:41 pm said:

Here’s hoping. If we can see hundreds of Snow Geese every fall and one finds its way into your neighbourhood. lt seems logical that at least one alligator would show up here. I better start watching.

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- Phil Lanoue on October 30, 2012 at 1:08 pm said:
  
  See I like the way you think! That’s what you call positive thinking! So sure, it *could* happen. 😀
  Keep a close eye out, those gators can be sneaky, and often where there is one… 😯
  
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Clanmother on October 30, 2012 at 1:39 pm said:

We Canadians get around! I guess this fellow grew tired of Stanley Park (Vancouver) and headed down to a warmer climate!

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- Phil Lanoue on October 30, 2012 at 7:47 pm said:
  
  Yes you sure do, and I’m happy about it! Maybe he wanted a little vacation in the Myrtle Beach area! Glad he showed up. 🙂
  
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janmasyn on October 30, 2012 at 2:03 pm said:

Nice capture.

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- Phil Lanoue on October 30, 2012 at 7:48 pm said:
  
  Thank you very much.
  
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Lisaman on October 30, 2012 at 2:28 pm said:

Stunning photos..love that 2nd one with the long neck reflection!!

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- Phil Lanoue on October 30, 2012 at 7:48 pm said:
  
  I’m so glad you enjoyed the snow goose pics! 😀
  
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crazytraintotinkytown on October 30, 2012 at 2:33 pm said:

He sure is a handsome fella!

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- Phil Lanoue on October 30, 2012 at 7:49 pm said:
  
  Yeah pretty good lookin’ for sure! 🙂 Thanks for checking out these photos!
  
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Molly Argo on October 30, 2012 at 4:42 pm said:

You think maybe he was just there hoping to get his photo taken by the best Bird Photographer around?? Great shot!

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- Phil Lanoue on October 30, 2012 at 7:50 pm said:
  
  He did not seem very impressed as I was taking his picture. But then again I’m used to that. 😀 😉
  Thanks Molly!
  
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Bella Remy Photography on October 30, 2012 at 7:00 pm said:

I don’t know what you’re talking about..I’m seeing great light here and no noise ! Such fantastic photos of the Snow Goose, and how lucky you were to capture him/her!

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- Phil Lanoue on October 30, 2012 at 7:51 pm said:
  
  Bella the first one with the alligator sign was taken in late evening at 1600 ISO. The last three were taken in mid afternoon in bright conditions.
  Thanks a lot for looking and commenting!
  
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  - Bella Remy Photography on October 30, 2012 at 7:53 pm said:
    
    LOL ! You tricked me then Phil. 🙂 Just seeing if we’re paying attention aren’t you? Seems like I always shoot in cloudy conditions. Sigh…
    
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    - Phil Lanoue on October 30, 2012 at 8:11 pm said:
      
      It was so dark when I took that first photo that I really thought it would come out looking like a still frame capture off a bad surveilance video. But it ended up looking respectable enough I guess.
      
      We have tons of sunshine, it’s almost always a nice day here practically to the point of monotony. 😀
      
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      - Bella Remy Photography on October 30, 2012 at 8:15 pm said:
        
        It’s not fair..I get SADDS all the time cuz it’s dreary a lot here. Especially in winter.
        
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jford6@comcast.net on October 30, 2012 at 8:25 pm said:

Wow great Shot. I guess Sandy brought the new “kid in town”. Sweet!

Pam Ford

Charleston

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- Phil Lanoue on October 31, 2012 at 1:36 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much Pam for checking out the goose pics and glad you liked ’em!
  
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Fergiemoto on October 30, 2012 at 8:44 pm said:

Cool! By the presence of the sign, it seems like they would be in danger of being an alligator’s lunch.

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- Phil Lanoue on October 31, 2012 at 1:37 pm said:
  
  Thanks! No alligators are in the pond at this time, everyone is safe! 😀
  
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orofiorentino on October 31, 2012 at 3:11 am said:

Wonderful, wonderful, magic photos. Compliments Orofiorentino

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- Phil Lanoue on October 31, 2012 at 1:37 pm said:
  
  Thank you so much!
  
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  - orofiorentino on October 31, 2012 at 2:01 pm said:
    
    bye Phil…Goodbye Giovanna
    
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HansHB on October 31, 2012 at 4:43 am said:

Great photos, brave gees!

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- Phil Lanoue on October 31, 2012 at 1:37 pm said:
  
  Thank you Hans!
  
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Herbstbaum on October 31, 2012 at 6:03 am said:

Snow white among her buddies. Where is the prince?

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- Phil Lanoue on October 31, 2012 at 1:38 pm said:
  
  The prince must be one of her friends in the pond. 🙂
  
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  - Herbstbaum on October 31, 2012 at 2:27 pm said:
    
    Good for the prince – geese are vegetarians.
    
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FeyGirl on October 31, 2012 at 8:20 am said:

Such a beauty!!

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- Phil Lanoue on October 31, 2012 at 1:38 pm said:
  
  Thanks much I appreciate it!
  
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Angelia Sims on October 31, 2012 at 9:21 am said:

Brother from another mother. He is sweet and so very pretty! 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on October 31, 2012 at 1:38 pm said:
  
  Yes quite the looker indeed!
  
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niasunset on October 31, 2012 at 11:02 am said:

They are so beautiful but especially from your camera. The last one fascinated me. Thank you dear Phil, have a nice day, love, nia

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- Phil Lanoue on October 31, 2012 at 1:39 pm said:
  
  Thank you Nia, I am so happy you enjoyed these photos!
  
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Paula Harrington on October 31, 2012 at 11:59 am said:

Ok, I am jealous! Beautiful surprise.

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- Phil Lanoue on October 31, 2012 at 1:40 pm said:
  
  Thanks Paula and we were certainly pleasantly surprised to find this unusual visiter. It seems to be gone already but happy we got to see it!
  
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lost in sweden on November 1, 2012 at 8:19 am said:

Haha the first photo is priceless 😀

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- Phil Lanoue on November 1, 2012 at 12:57 pm said:
  
  Glad you liked that! 😀
  
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Katariina Partala on November 2, 2012 at 12:35 pm said:

“Alligators may live here”…. What an awesome sign!! I’d love to have one on my wall 😀

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- Phil Lanoue on November 3, 2012 at 11:50 am said:
  
  Now you have me thinking…I should grab that sign some night and put it up on my wall in the house. 😀 😉
  
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