Charles and Tweeters,

A domestic white goose and a domestic/canada hybrid were also with the
Greater White-fronted and Canada's at Nisqually on 4/17/99 at the same
location in your description. This is possibly what your wife saw? Might
have been difficult to see them well if they were further out in the tall
grasses during your wife's visit.

Michele Herzberg
Kent, WA
<foxglove at jps.net>

------
>>"Two geese (who looked like they were "with" each other), about the same
>>size, one white, one "blue". Saw and identified the white goose first as
>>a snow goose -- looked too big to be a Ross' goose, based on comparison
>>with Canada geese in the area. Could not see feet/legs, and a bit too far
>>away to get a good look at the bill (no scope). "Blue" goose had a white
>>face (eyes were surrounded with white), but a dark throat and back of head;
>>a pattern identical to the Nat. Geo Guide's picture of blue-phase Ross'.
>>Bill same color as the white goose (pink), but again, no more detail could
>>be observed.
>>
>>Geese were seen Sat. at about 5:30 PM across a pond returning from the 5 or
>>6-mile loop hike (not far from the parking lot). Pond had pintail,
>>shoveler, mallard, coot."
>>
>>
>>Charles E. Swift
>>Moscow, Idaho
>>charless at umich.edu