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Goose photographed flying upside down
The Telegraph ^
| 5/20/09
Posted on 05/27/2009 12:30:51 PM PDT by llevrok
Brian MacFarlane was amazed when he looked at the photo he had captured of the bird in flight.
The incredible display of mid-flight acrobatics is also a remarkable feat of wildlife photography.
MacFarlane was simply photographing geese buffeted by strong winds at Strumpshaw in Norfolk and did not expect to capture a moment of contortionism.
"The wind was making life difficult for the flying birds," said Mr MacFarlane.
"On closer inspection of the image I realised it had flipped upside down but kept its head the right way up.
"Quite a feat!"
Paul Stancliffe, of the British Trust for Ornithology, based at Thetford, was able to explain the bird's bizarre behaviour.
"It looks like this bird is in mid-whiffle," he said.
"When geese come in to land from a great height they partake in a bout of whiffling, this involves the bird twisting and turning to spill air from their wings and thus lowering their speed prior to landing.
"In 36 years of birdwatching I have seen this many times, particularly when watching pink-footed geese on the north Norfolk coast coming in to roost in the late afternoon and evening. I have, however, never seen a photograph of a bird in mid-whiffle like this. It is an amazing photograph." 
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
TOPICS: Outdoors
KEYWORDS: photoshop
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To: Ghengis
The last known picture of George Zip. Zip. Zip..... Was Zip shot down over Mucho Grande or was it Drambui? I forget.
41
posted on
05/27/2009 1:25:12 PM PDT
by
Dumpster Baby
(The chair is against the wall. John has a long mustache.)
To: SJSAMPLE
DKProf would find that picture strangely exciting. I see what you did there. Arf! Arf!
;^)
42
posted on
05/27/2009 1:26:35 PM PDT
by
Dumpster Baby
(The chair is against the wall. John has a long mustache.)
To: BobinIL
When the geese start whiffling down its time to put the call down and pick up the Benelli :)When the geese start whiffling down itf time to ftop drinking.
43
posted on
05/27/2009 1:35:52 PM PDT
by
magslinger
(The first dog has papers but the President doesn't. How interesting!-cubsfanconswoman)
To: llevrok; SWAMPSNIPER
44
posted on
05/27/2009 1:39:29 PM PDT
by
Grammy
(It amazes me how much someone with character and integrity offends someone without.)
To: llevrok
i think that goose has spent too much time watching the Blue Angels.
45
posted on
05/27/2009 1:51:15 PM PDT
by
blau993
(Fight Gerbil Swarming)
To: llevrok
When Obama does this it’s called “Waffling”.
46
posted on
05/27/2009 1:53:01 PM PDT
by
tet68
( " We would not die in that man's company, that fears his fellowship to die with us...." Henry V.)
To: tet68; SkyDancer
That’s why ducks don’t fly upside down. They don’t want to quack up.
To: andy58-in-nh
Bahawaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa. :-)
48
posted on
05/27/2009 2:45:35 PM PDT
by
ataDude
(Its like 1933, mixed with the Carter 70s, plus the books 1984 and Animal Farm, all at the same time.)
To: Northern Yankee
49
posted on
05/27/2009 2:59:27 PM PDT
by
SkyDancer
('Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do not..' ~ Thomas Jefferson)
To: Northern Yankee
50
posted on
05/27/2009 3:09:18 PM PDT
by
Daffynition
("If any of you die, can I please have your ammo?" ~ Gator113)
To: Dumpster Baby
51
posted on
05/27/2009 3:10:26 PM PDT
by
dfwgator
(1996 2006 2008 - Good Things Come in Threes)
To: a fool in paradise; Revolting cat!
52
posted on
05/27/2009 3:41:30 PM PDT
by
Daffynition
("If any of you die, can I please have your ammo?" ~ Gator113)
To: llevrok
Nice find, thanks.
Here are some of mine, but alas, all right-side up.
53
posted on
05/27/2009 3:48:14 PM PDT
by
gorush
(History repeats itself because human nature is static)
To: BobinIL
And you can use a Benelli to paddle a boat or beat a water moccasin off you.
54
posted on
05/27/2009 4:40:29 PM PDT
by
Niteranger68
(If you haven't purged you company of 0bama supporters, you are part of the problem.)
To: llevrok
Lol. I’m saving that picture.
55
posted on
05/27/2009 4:45:42 PM PDT
by
goose
To: SkyDancer
Got the new LeMay book last week.
One of the more priceless lines in there:
LeMay's bombardment group was adjusting to English weather at the start of their landing in England in early November.
On one particularly foggy day, when a B-17 was having trouble finding its way down the runway, LeMay asked the pilot if he could see the runway lights and follow them to Base Operations. the pilot retorted back,
"Hell... I can't even see my co-pilot!"
To: Northern Yankee
I’d like to get that book at the library ....I had read his bio as a project when home schooled ... also Tibbits’ ... I’ve read several really good books on WWI and WWII ... so what was the title again????
Janey
57
posted on
05/27/2009 4:58:32 PM PDT
by
SkyDancer
('Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do not..' ~ Thomas Jefferson)
To: llevrok
"Aaaah! Chiropractor! AFLAC!"
58
posted on
05/27/2009 5:01:26 PM PDT
by
COBOL2Java
(Obamanation: an imploding administration headed by a clueless schmuck, with McCain as his Kowakian)
To: gorush
New wallpaper..thank you.
59
posted on
05/27/2009 5:07:59 PM PDT
by
SouthDixie
(We are but angels with one wing, it takes two to fly.)
To: SouthDixie
60
posted on
05/27/2009 5:11:33 PM PDT
by
gorush
(History repeats itself because human nature is static)
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