Snow Geese are smart and wary; they flush at the slightest provocation. I see tens of thousands of them this time of year along the Illinois River. There are days when they fill the sky farther than the eye can see. Most views are at 100 yards or more, but I recently had an opportunity to get close to a flock feeding in a field. All I had to do was cross a 12-inch log half-submerged in a creek. When I was younger, I would have just darted across the log, but at 52, I am more cautious. My balance isn’t what it used to be, and I am carrying an expensive camera.
I love geese ~ snow and wild. Your description of the epic crossing of the creek is brilliant ~ taking the reader with you on every precarious step. And the introvert goose is priceless! Thank you for another beautiful piece 💕🙏
Your words and photos live on, Bill! They often appear with me at various (mostly church) meetings. I give you and the authors of your quotes due credit, so as not to appear to be the amazing one.😂
What a stunning experience! I haven't yet had the pleasure of experiencing bird life on such a massive scale. It was lovely to see the images of Snow Geese filling the sky, and to imagine the rush of motion and light and sound, the overwhelming energy of standing in the presence of thousands of birds taking flight!
Extraordinary experiences! These numbers will undoubtedly cause the species to be known as a pest species before too long, but how wonderful to have experienced this. And congratulations on safely crossing that log. Twice. 😃🤗
Bill, as a fellow birder who frequents a NWR, I felt like I was right there with you. Your writing and photographs captured the experience of watching a large flock of geese. It's so magical and so intense. I've never seen that many snow geese out here in coastal Massachusetts, but have had similar experiences with the Canada geese.
Never seen a flock of snow geese, but when we used to live in California, I saw Canada Geese resting on the Naval Weapons Station, Seal Beach, CA. It was a contrast of splendor on the grass with potential destruction underneath the soil.
The sheer abundance of Nature: the great herds of buffalo that used to cover the plains, the great flocks of passenger pigeons that used to darken the sky. The snow geese that still amaze us with their numbers. But for how long? If we're not careful, they may become memory and the only prolific abundance will be Man's products. Fritos bags, en toto, stacked as high as mountains, plastic fragments covering oceans.
Wow. I can't imagine seeing that many birds at one. I also found Susan Cain's book to be a healing perspective. (She's on substack if you want to tag her https://substack.com/@susancain ) And thanks for the extra ID tip on the pileated woodpeckers - I wasn't aware of the differences in the crest, just the 'moustache.' Good to know.
Such an amazing encounter Bill. Those photos are incredible and I can only imagine the sights and sounds all of those Snow Geese made. I missed them on their migration South near Ottawa this past Autumn. I will definitely be on the lookout for them on their return North this Spring.
I live in western Massachusetts, and so I don’t see snow geese often. But a flock did fly right over my house one fall and I’ve never forgotten. There is something magical about them.
I was on the edge of my seat as you crossed the log the first time. Wonderful transmission of that experience! A few years ago, I crossed a shallow creek on a log this time of year. It was too narrow for my dog so I held the leash as he crossed in the water and I on the log. But where you succeeded, I failed, and ended upended in the drink. All of this was part of my experience of reading about your log-crossing 😅.
I used to live in a rural area where snow geese wintered in flooded pastures. I loved watching them and miss seeing them. Thank you for sharing your experience and beautiful images.
I love geese ~ snow and wild. Your description of the epic crossing of the creek is brilliant ~ taking the reader with you on every precarious step. And the introvert goose is priceless! Thank you for another beautiful piece 💕🙏
Thank you, Bill. I love your work, the depth of your heart always blooms throughout, reconnecting my own to this blessed world.
Your words and photos live on, Bill! They often appear with me at various (mostly church) meetings. I give you and the authors of your quotes due credit, so as not to appear to be the amazing one.😂
What a stunning experience! I haven't yet had the pleasure of experiencing bird life on such a massive scale. It was lovely to see the images of Snow Geese filling the sky, and to imagine the rush of motion and light and sound, the overwhelming energy of standing in the presence of thousands of birds taking flight!
Extraordinary experiences! These numbers will undoubtedly cause the species to be known as a pest species before too long, but how wonderful to have experienced this. And congratulations on safely crossing that log. Twice. 😃🤗
Beautiful post - a must read for birders!
Bill, as a fellow birder who frequents a NWR, I felt like I was right there with you. Your writing and photographs captured the experience of watching a large flock of geese. It's so magical and so intense. I've never seen that many snow geese out here in coastal Massachusetts, but have had similar experiences with the Canada geese.
Never seen a flock of snow geese, but when we used to live in California, I saw Canada Geese resting on the Naval Weapons Station, Seal Beach, CA. It was a contrast of splendor on the grass with potential destruction underneath the soil.
The sheer abundance of Nature: the great herds of buffalo that used to cover the plains, the great flocks of passenger pigeons that used to darken the sky. The snow geese that still amaze us with their numbers. But for how long? If we're not careful, they may become memory and the only prolific abundance will be Man's products. Fritos bags, en toto, stacked as high as mountains, plastic fragments covering oceans.
Do you know “The Snow Goose” by Paul Gallico, written at the time when the Snow Goose was in decline? It’s a beautiful small book.
Once again, I felt like I was along on this adventure. I was urging you across that log! Thank you for sharing your vivid descriptions.
Wow. I can't imagine seeing that many birds at one. I also found Susan Cain's book to be a healing perspective. (She's on substack if you want to tag her https://substack.com/@susancain ) And thanks for the extra ID tip on the pileated woodpeckers - I wasn't aware of the differences in the crest, just the 'moustache.' Good to know.
The flight of the Snow geese . Nature’s dance.
A prelude to snow.
Those of us who would go the extra yard, mile or three ,”crawling “ or stream soaked, literally immersed in nature.
To get there in time for even just one glance. A wing flap. A song. A finale.
Oh, how worthwhile.
Thank you Bill for including the journey to bear witness.
May I just make one suggestion?
A saying my buddies have ; Look where you want to go , not where you don’t.
Very useful in all endeavors of life.
And not just about geese, also I enjoy reading your musings on human beings, this time introversion ...
Such an amazing encounter Bill. Those photos are incredible and I can only imagine the sights and sounds all of those Snow Geese made. I missed them on their migration South near Ottawa this past Autumn. I will definitely be on the lookout for them on their return North this Spring.
I live in western Massachusetts, and so I don’t see snow geese often. But a flock did fly right over my house one fall and I’ve never forgotten. There is something magical about them.
I was on the edge of my seat as you crossed the log the first time. Wonderful transmission of that experience! A few years ago, I crossed a shallow creek on a log this time of year. It was too narrow for my dog so I held the leash as he crossed in the water and I on the log. But where you succeeded, I failed, and ended upended in the drink. All of this was part of my experience of reading about your log-crossing 😅.
I used to live in a rural area where snow geese wintered in flooded pastures. I loved watching them and miss seeing them. Thank you for sharing your experience and beautiful images.