We cruised through Ankeny Wildlife Refuge today on our way to a family get together in Sweet Home. We had time for just two stops, our first was the overlook at Eagle Marsh. When we pulled into the parking lot, Jill noticed four small geese foraging close by in the grass. The Cackling Geese, looked lethargic and approachable on one hand, and yet alert, constantly scanning the sky for threats, on the other.

Once out of the car with bins in hand, we noticed one of the geese was obviously different from its companions. Being the excitable sort - I ran for the camera while Jill rolled her eyes :-)  

I am embarrassed to report that I first posted about capturing relatively sharp, color-neutral, exposure-adjusted, images of the following distinguishing field marks of the Aleutian Cackling Goose;

A wide, white neck-ring, punctuated by a semi-circle of dark feathers in front, pale grayish-brown colored breast, and (importantly) cheek patches separated by a black line under the throat. Which is correct, but because the bird's head is rounded, not flat on top as an Aleutian's, my initial identification was wrong.  The bird pictured is a Cackling minima.  

Five Images: 

Take the time to stop and smell the roses - nature rarely disappoints.