Canada Goose, portrait
Branta canadensis
Canada Goose · Green-Wood Cemetery · 16 February 2026
A Canada Goose at Green-Wood in February, a scrap of vegetation still caught on the bill from feeding, a few grains of snow along the edge. Canada Geese breed on ponds and lawns across the whole continent now, and the ones in the city's parks stay all year rather than migrating.
The white cheek strap is close to a fingerprint for the species: no two are marked in quite the same way, though the pattern is too fine to use for telling individuals apart by eye. The bill has serrated edges that work as teeth on grass.
Birds, insects, plants and other wildlife, mostly from Brooklyn, with some from further afield.
Every photograph comes with notes on what it is.
Selected
Favourite shots. Filter by subject, or .
Places
Everything, by where it was taken.
Species
Larger catalogue of photos organized by species of animal or plant.
Catalogue
Every photograph, newest first. Narrow it by period, place or species; the three work together.
Updates
Coming soon. Sign up at the bottom of the page for updates.