• Thursday-What'sUP October 16 - 02:05 pm

Now that we're into the middle of October, when you see geese, ducks or swans like these pictured here today, they're probably taking a break on their trek southward to the warmer climes. Joyce Tormala captured quite a menagerie of feathered friends here, with geese in both shots and a duck that may have possibly turned into a swan in the second photo. Isn't there a children's story about an ugly duckling and a beautiful swan?

Back to the geese... Joyce's "puffy counting clouds" photo is where those geese will be taking off to after their brief rest in the water. You can hear their honking as they pass overhead. They're some of the first of the snow birds to head south... soon to be followed by the human variety in a month or two. :->

My wife is sure my hearing is failing. I'm always the one to hear the flocks of geese first, though. Selective? Possibly! ;) The swan appears to be shunned by its fellow paddlers.

You're right Richard; it’s like their saying "There goes the neighborhood."

Already have seen some heading south, not ready for winter. Like the fluffy clouds.

There are birdwatchers at the LAKE ERIE METROPARK in Rockwood, Mi for 3 month each fall recording the migration south. their sightings can be seen below.


http://smrr.proboards55.com/index.cgi?board=cj&action=display&thread=48}

Joyce --

The cloud photo is remarkable. It looks more like a painting than a photo. The cloud patterns remind me of MC Escher (as long as we have birds arranged in patterns today, eh?). And the light in the clouds is pure Monet. Wow.

Interesting clouds indeed. I'm at work right now, but when I get home later today, I'll post a cloud pic from Scotland that will blow your mind!!!

The cloud picture looks like a bunch of cotton balls in the sky :O))

I also have pictures of a bird that looks like a cross between a goose and a swan. I do know there is a name for the bird, I just do not remember it. They have the markings of a goose- with some white running through them like a swan. They have a thick neck like a swan and a bright orange bill. When they 'honk' it is a real deep- type sound. Beautiful bird.

Joyce - Enjoyed these pics very much! I saw clouds like this one evening that were backlit by the moon. It was awesome. By the way, I have the Patsy Cam calendar hanging in my office at work and this months (yours!) has gotten alot of admirers! The relections in the water of the sky and surrounding trees along with the ripple on the water is really neat!

mickill, could it be a trumpter swan? Saw one fly over the river recently, going south, with that sound. Almost a haunting, deep honk. Wish I had my bird books with me.

Hi
Mickill & Mskatie, trumpter swans have black bills. Mickill's bird sounds more like a domestic goose. My bird book (Peterson's Field Guide to the Birds) is at home or I'd check on what the snow goose looks like.

Orange bill...check out sites covering Tundra Swan as they often winter in Michigan..

I think the name of the goose with the orange bill is called-ECARD-

http//search.live.com/images/results.aspx?q=ECARD+GEESE&go=&form=QBID#

try and go this site and the top-left picture is the picture of my bird.

Eddyfitz - Interesting site - Wish they would post some pictures.

Canada geese and swans. We have those where I live, 2. A little
bit of Keweenaw near me.

Hi
Here is some text about swans & geese:
Tundra Swan and Trumpeter Swan have all black bills without knobs and straight necks. Juveniles have pink bills, but show varying amounts of black as they age.
Snow Goose smaller and with shorter neck, black wingtips, pink bill.
Domestic goose smaller, with shorter neck, and pink or orange legs.

And, I will attempt to post a link to a website with a picture of the white phase of a snow goose; apologies in advance if it doesn't work, Eddyfitz.
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Snow_Goose_dtl.html

If you go to the website I posted- you will see some pictures of geese. The very top picture, to the left, is the goose I have a picture of. There are actually 2 pictures in the upper-left hand corner. The picture I took was NOT with my digital camera. So I would probably have to scan the picture to Mary to have her put it in to show people.
Hope the site I posted helps give everybody an idea of what it looks like.:O).I thought it was a pretty cool looking bird.

Mickill, unfortunately the link is not working for me.

I am home now, and as promised......



Ok, so maybe it's not "blow your mind" quality, but it is quite neat you have to admit!! This is a lenticular cloud (Altocumulus standing lenticularis) that we shot over the Cairngorms of central Scotland back in July. This was one of several that formed in one particular area north of Crathie. Quite a sight to see.....

Capt. Paul (Eclogite):

I luv the lenticular cloud...

It reminds me of the ones I yoosta see when flying around northern California, including some spectacular ones above Mt. Shasta.

Not to upstage your photo, but here are some examples: This is a real "blow your mind" beauty: Lenticular Cloud over Shasta

See also: Clouds Over Mount Shasta — The second one on that page: "Lenticular cloud over Mount Shasta, reflected in Siskiyou Lake" (click on that picture for a larger image), 'tho only in black & white, is one of my all-time favorites. Ditto for the one way down the page, "Flying Saucers" hovering above Mount Shasta". There are some really neat wave clouds at the bottom of the page, too.

P.S.: When the FAA weather briefing included the phrase "Altocumulus Standing Lenticular (ACSL) over the Sierras", you could expect some bone shaking, aircraft breaking, serious turbulence nearby as well.

as kill is the (k)celtic word for small or little is your name little mhic just wondering
i remain walter p.

The lenticular clouds over Shasta are the best; no doubt about it!!!

How lucky for the people who actually get to witness these cloud formations! Spectacular! No wonder people in ancient times thought there were gods in the sky dictating how their lives would unfold. Wow!

Ram4: Are you sure you don't mean this goose? This pic is one of 3 we have here. About the size of a swan. Called Chinese or sometimes "African" goose (Anser cygnoides) AKA "Swan Goose" Their honking is very loud and continuous, they make good "watch geese"! They will live to 30-35 years!

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TO-RUSSELL E. EMMONS(Russemmons)

I want to 'Thank You' for posting the picture of the goose. That is the picture I have. I have about 8 pictures of it. I see you are in St. Clair county, I took the pictures at Belle Isle. We like to take a ride down there on Sunday mornings.:O))

I do not mean I have YOUR picture, but I have pictures of the same goose.

TO RUSSELL;

JUST LIKE MY 'goose' ONLY MY GOOSE HAS A BRIGHT ORANGE BILL.