Approx 7:15pm there was an unusual goose on Eisenhower Ave, at the
intersection with Bluemont Lane, in Alexandria. At this intersection
there is a Metro train yard on the East side and an extended stay style
hotel on the West side. The goose was in the median grass of Eisenhower
Ave, to the East of Bluemont Lane, calmly eating grass and watching
traffic. There were no Canada geese in sight, altho a pair flew overhead a
short while later.
Generally the goose appeared to be a Greater White Front, but it may have
been a domestic hybrid. The bill was orangey-pink, I did not note the leg
color. There was a ragged band of dirty white between around the bill.
The body shape was similar to a Canada goose, perhaps a bit chunky, but not
as chunky as most barnyard geese. The size was similar to local Canada
Geese, not smaller. On the goose's left side, with the wing folded, there
were no white lines. However on the goose's right side, with the wing
folded, there was a bold vertical (not horizontal) white bar, approx 1"
wide and slightly chevron'd shaped. The light was fading and it is
possible that the white bar was not natural --- but I believe it was a
natural marking. The body coloring extended for the entire breast,
through the belly and around the legs. The white under-area started behind
the legs.
-Anne
--
Anne Louise Gockel
