Goose Hybrid?

[Lori A. Cash]

I captured this image last month at Ocracoke Island on the Outer Banks. I could be wrong, but it appears this species is a hybrid....the body was like that of the Canada Goose but with a much shorter brownish neck and white patches around the bill and face.I believe this may be a hybrid of a Canada goose and greater white-fronted goose.

This image was taken on a partly cloudy day with the sun in at the time and needed to add exp comp as checked with histogram. I know the whites at top of bill are a little hot and will need to see if I can recover some of those highlights there. Most of my images of this bird were not great but thought I would share this one.

Canon 1D3 with 100-400mm, ISO 200, 1/500, f/6, +1 exp comp, AV mode.

[Alfred Forns]

Hi Lori Image looks good You might want to make a layer and multiply Should make a difference with the whites !!!

I like the tight calling pose Sharp and good detail Might add a catch light to the eye Very well could be a hybrid !!!

[Judy Lynn Malloch]

Lovely portrait Lori and I love the calling action you captured in this image. Alfred covered it all. Many thanks for sharing.

[Steve Maxson]

A nice portrait, Lori. You may be right about the ID as these two species are known to hybridize. Canada geese can sometimes have unusual white patches here and there on the face and neck, but they would not have the short neck that you describe.

[Roman Kurywczak]

Hi Lori,
Possible improvements mentioned.........love the quacking!

[Jeff Moore]

One other clue might be the feet. What color were they? White fronts, I believe, have orange feet.

[Lori A. Cash]

Thanks, everyone, for the comments.

Unfortunately, I do not have any images showing their feet, but I do not recall seeing any yellow or orange feet.

Al, thanks for the suggestion on adding catch light. I did not even think about doing that.
I will make those changes.