This small group of Cackling Geese was seen earlier this week by Ed Conrad, and though they mingle with the larger group of Canada Geese in the area, they stay together.

I was several hundred yards away from these birds, and even thoug the images aren't crisp, the feel of the birds still comes through. Even without direct comparison, the diminutive size and proportions are evident. Notice especially the short neck, tiny little stub, almost triangular bill, and the shape of the head. The forehead rises very steeply from the bill, the head is blocky with the rear-crown falling off very sharply. This can vary a little with posture of course, but you get the right feel from these birds.

There are some Lesser Canade Geese in the area as well, which aren't much bigger at all than these geese. But, they still have the head and bill shape of the larger Canada Geese.