When I was a girl, it was an event to see geese flying overhead. First, you would hear them. We would call out loud for everyone to come see, and outside we'd all run, to look up at the spectacle in the sky. Giant V's. ( Just for me, I mused, since my first name started with a "V"). Living in the city, it was a random site.
Today, as I was saying good-bye to company out on the driveway, I heard the familiar honking. Looking up, we all gasped at the enormous numbers of geese---flying V's. It must be getting really cold up north, we reasoned.
We usually have small groups that stay in this area all winter. Mostly the Snows, (Snow geese), and the Blues. They actually fly together, and hang out together feeding. Then, there are the Canadians. The pastures that surround us fill up with the travelers. They stay for a week or so, and then will move on. There's lots to feed on here...but, still a bit cold for them, most likely.
Last year, was the most spectacular sight of the long-haulers, I had ever seen. There was not a square inch of space left in the 80 acres next to us. The sound was overpowering! But, that was only part of it. Up in the sky overhead were tens of thousands of geese. Numerous flocks flying in big circles, as if in a holding pattern, waiting for a spot to land. The flocks were layered above and below each other...separate groups waiting their turns. Just amazing! I tried to photograph, but absolutely could not capture the enormity of the scene. So, took the picture in my mind...
In the Spring, we'll see the "pairs", who chose to stay, near the ponds, and watch them raise their young. They really are quite an enjoyable feature, here in the outlands.
Maybe someday, I will look into geese factoids. Why do they fly in "V's"? Why this, and why that? For now, just content to watch in awe...the giant "V's"...Giant V's, just for me!
Today, as I was saying good-bye to company out on the driveway, I heard the familiar honking. Looking up, we all gasped at the enormous numbers of geese---flying V's. It must be getting really cold up north, we reasoned.
We usually have small groups that stay in this area all winter. Mostly the Snows, (Snow geese), and the Blues. They actually fly together, and hang out together feeding. Then, there are the Canadians. The pastures that surround us fill up with the travelers. They stay for a week or so, and then will move on. There's lots to feed on here...but, still a bit cold for them, most likely.
Last year, was the most spectacular sight of the long-haulers, I had ever seen. There was not a square inch of space left in the 80 acres next to us. The sound was overpowering! But, that was only part of it. Up in the sky overhead were tens of thousands of geese. Numerous flocks flying in big circles, as if in a holding pattern, waiting for a spot to land. The flocks were layered above and below each other...separate groups waiting their turns. Just amazing! I tried to photograph, but absolutely could not capture the enormity of the scene. So, took the picture in my mind...
In the Spring, we'll see the "pairs", who chose to stay, near the ponds, and watch them raise their young. They really are quite an enjoyable feature, here in the outlands.
Maybe someday, I will look into geese factoids. Why do they fly in "V's"? Why this, and why that? For now, just content to watch in awe...the giant "V's"...Giant V's, just for me!
