Branta Canadensis (Canada Goose) II

Branta canadensis II: Flying 

Canada goose is a considerably large bird, reported to be "76-110 cm (30-43 in) long with a 127-180 cm (50-71 in) wingspan. The male usually weighs 3.2–6.5 kg, (7–14 pounds), and can be very aggressive in defending territory. The female looks virtually identical but is slightly lighter at 2.5–5.5 kg (5.5–12 pounds), generally 10% smaller than its male counterpart, and has a different honk. An exceptionally large male of the race B. c. maxima, the "giant Canada goose" (which rarely exceed 8 kg/18 lb), weighed 10.9 kg (24 pounds) and had a wingspan of 2.24 m (88 inches). This specimen is the largest wild goose ever recorded of any species." It is fascinating to see such a heavy bird taking off and landing; most importantly, to notice what a graceful flyer it can be.

The birds are migratory however in some areas they have become permanent residents due to lack of predation. The geese were first introduced in Britain in the late 17th century as an addition to King James II's waterfowl collection in St. James's Park. (1)

Photos by Marina Parha and George J. Reclos

Shooting Data:

1. Camera: Nikon D2X
Lens: Nikkor AF 80-200mm f/2.8 ED D 
Sensitivity: ISO 400
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/2500 sec - f/5.6, Shutter priority mode, -0.3EV
Flash: none
Image: JPEG edited in Photoshop CS4, levels adjusted, sharpening added and resized.

2. Camera: Nikon D300
Lens: Nikkor AF 80-200mm f/2.8 ED D 
Sensitivity: ISO 1000
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/400 sec - f/5, Shutter priority mode
Flash: SB800 in i-TTL (high synchronisation) mode
Image: JPEG edited in Photoshop CS4, levels adjusted, sharpening added and resized. 

3. Camera: Nikon D2X
Lens: Nikkor AF 80-200mm f/2.8 ED D
Sensitivity: ISO 500
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/2500 sec - f/5.6, Shutter priority mode
Flash: none
Image: JPEG edited in Photoshop CS4, levels adjusted, sharpening added and resized. 

4. Camera: Nikon D300
Lens: NikKor AF 70-300mm f4.5-5.6 G AF-S VR IF-ED
Sensitivity: ISO 500
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/1000 sec - f/10, Shutter priority mode
Flash: SB800 in i-TTL (high synchronisation) mode
Image: JPEG edited in Photoshop CS4, levels adjusted, sharpening added and resized.

5.  Camera: Nikon D700
Lens: Nikkor AF-S 300 f/2.8D IF-ED + Kenco Teleplus Pro 300 1.4x teleconverter 
Sensitivity: ISO 1000
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/800 sec - f/4.8, Aperture priority mode
Flash: SB800 in i-TTL (high synchronisation) mode
Image: JPEG edited in Photoshop CS4, levels adjusted, sharpening added and resized.

6.  Camera: Nikon D2X
Lens: Nikkor AF 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 AF ED-VR 
Sensitivity: ISO 320
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/640 sec - f/8, Manual mode, -0.67 EV
Flash: none
Image: NEF edited in Photoshop CS4, levels adjusted, sharpening added and resized. 

7.  Camera: Nikon D300
Lens: Nikkor AF 80-200mm f/2.8 ED D @ 135 mm 
Sensitivity: ISO 800
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/800 sec - f/16, Shutter priority mode
Flash: SB800 in i-TTL (high synchronisation) mode
Image: JPEG edited in Photoshop CS4, levels adjusted, sharpening added and resized.

(1) Wikipedia