Bird I.D. help please

[Jules001]

Yesterday we went to some local lakes for some combined birdwatching and photography. We were there reasonably early and most of the Canada geese were still on the banks either sleeping or preening themselves. Amongst them was a solitary white goose. It was predominately white, but had some light grey and some slightly darker, almost black feathers on its back, it had pink legs and feet. I have been unable to identify this goose as the only one that comes close is a snow goose and that is only mentioned in one of my books, so would it be highly unlikely or just impossible that it could have been a snow goose, are they all totally white. I know that it could be a juvenile bird with different plumage to that of an adult bird, but can anyone suggest some possibilities so that I can Google some images.

[carrot99]

what about this one?

Ross' geese are the smallest of the three varieties of white geese that breed in North America. The Ross' goose is a small white goose with black primary feathers. The bill is a deep reddish-pink with a paler nail and a variably bluish warty area over the base of the basal area. The legs and feet are rose-pink and the iris is dark brown.

[Cetti]

It would almost certainly be a Snow Goose, Jules.

For some unknown reason it's fairly common to see them amongst Canada's - perhaps they go off course and as they're not solitary birds see the Canada's and stick with them for safety.

I've seen three or more of these beautiful geese in large flocks flying over Chesil beach. An amazing sight!.

[Jules001]

thanks for the replies, having Googled Rosss geese, I can't find any mention of them in the uk, unless I am missing something (which is quite possible!). Having seen some more images of snow geese, I am still not entirely convinced that is what we saw, I will have to try and work out how to show you a picture we took. Any ideas on how to do this?

[carrot99]

thats a question for the technology chaps!!

Once you've got a photo on your computer if you go to Photobucket you can upload your pic and it gives you a reference to copy and paste in this box - but as to how to get a photo onto your pc....