Snow Geese 3

On February 15, 2009 at the end of our canoe trip down the Musconetong we witnessed an incredible natural spectacle. I first noticed the noise. It sounded like Canada Geese. Then I saw them. At first just a few, and then many. Thousands of them. They weren't flying in the their usual V formation either. Something was different. The sun was low in the sky, casting light on the underside of their wings. It looked like the sky was full of stars, in the daylight.

I was tempted to take photos, but the geese were so high up, that it didn't seem worth the effort, so I decided to just enjoy the moment. The flock went on and on. I've never seem so many geese. I was starting to suspect that these might be Snow Geese even though I've never seen one before. They just kept passing by, filling the sky with an impressive visual display, and loud honking noises. Then they started to circle back. It looked like they were searching for a safe place to bed down for the night. Someplace nearby. I thought about going to find them after I finished loading my boat.

Then something really incredible happened. They started landing in the field right next to us. I don't think that it was the entire flock, but it was still huge! They would circle a bit, and then a few would start to land, then hundreds. Just when it looked like things were starting settle down, something would spook them and they would all take off. This was repeated over and over. For a time they brought this little part of the world to a stop. A lone cyclists out for a ride in the unseasonably warm February day. A couple walking their dog. Several cars. And all of us. The geese created a spectacular sight that could not be ignored.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• Snow
• Geese
• Migration