Lisa and I took advantage of the impending snowstorm, which caused Nashua area schools to declare a snow day, to run down to Bishop Guertin High School to see the Snow Goose that has been recently reported hanging out with a flock of Canada Geese there. We saw nothing when we first arrived, but that was because the Snow Goose was standing on the only patch of snow left on the field, perfectly camouflaged.

I only had a few moments to watch and photograph as the goose displayed for us, and pecked around the edges of the snow patch, looking for something to eat.

This is a rather rare species for New England. They are more commonly found on the west coast. This bird shows the rust-stained head from tundra waters as described in the Peterson guide.

You can see larger versions of these images on my website, at http://www.pbase.com/kklasman/snow_goose_allies. 

The snow didn't start to fall in earnest until later in the day. By that time, the feeders were quite busy with birds trying to get some food before the weather forced them to seek shelter. Here, a Downy Woodpecker waits its turn as a Hairy Woodpecker feeds on suet.

It wasn't long after I captured this image that the birds disappeared for the rest of the day.