Botanical Glossary - Home

Branta Bernicla - Brant - The Straight of Georgia at the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal Causeway - May 09, 2009.

The Branta Bernicla or Brant, is a small, black-necked, dark bellied goose about the same size as a Mallard duck. When I first saw these geese, I thought they were a type of ocean going duck that I'd not seen before. As you can see, it has a white rear and partially white tail feathers, plus a thin white ring around its neck. Upon closer scrutiny, the head of this bird is definitely goose-like with the stubby beak and fat face. This is a coastal traveler in fall, winter and spring, while summer finds flocks gathering in northern Canada and the coast of Alaska.

These two birds were stragglers. On my initial approach from the Causeway down to the low tide mudflat the main body of the flock took off toward Point Roberts, leaving about a half dozen dozing in clumps of seaweeds at the strand line. These two were the last to leave as I quietly crept up on them, getting to within about 30 yards - this is almost full frame with a 400 mm lens.