ML131168581

Observation details

Photographed. The geese departed from a pond about 1/4 to 1/2 mile down the bike path at the far eastern side of preserve at 11:25 am. (for those familiar with the scissor-tailed flycatcher spot - the pond north of there). Fortunately I noticed them was because they took flight from the pond as I happened to be looking that way. It took a little bit to realize what these were. They took off flying away from me so I could not see their heads. I could clearly see the black tips on wings of an all white bird and my first thought was Pelican? even though I could see they were small. . then Ibis? When they turned to fly perpendicular to the path it dawned on me what these were and I *finally* lifted my camera to photograph them. Unfortunately they had flown farther away by then so this is an extremely cropped shot. Spent another 20-30 min walking the path to see if they landed nearby with no luck. They left flying north and east (towards Pasco/Hillsborough) but there are many ponds back there along the path in which to search for them. Wasn't expecting to see these while walking along a cow pasture.