Thousands of snow geese delight bird watchers of all ages
LA CONNER, Wash. (AP) — Bird watchers took advantage of a day without rain Thursday to gaze at snow geese that spend the winter at a reserve near the mouth of the Skagit River.
Thousands of the white birds were in sight along with a few trumpeter swans and snowy owls.
The geese fly in loose "V'' formations that break up into family groups of three — two parents and an offspring — as they glide to a landing. They spend most of their time foraging in muddy fields.
The birds honk a bit and occasionally flap their wings. Occasionally a bald eagle scares them into the air in a dramatic beating of their wings and loud honking.
The snow geese usually settle back down in the same field within just a few minutes.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
Always a pleasure to see. In Britain we see a huge influx of birds of all varieties from continental Europe and as far afield as Siberia, along with Canada Geese from your neighbours up north. It's something of a junction for birds escapiong the eastern European winter, and the ones that stop en-route to other countries. It's great to see the spectacle of bird-migration is enjoyed elsewhere too. North America has a great wealth of bird-life to enjoy, though sadly I'm not too familiar with many of the species. Informative piece.
Cool photo (but I'm glad that I'm not the mother!) I wonder if that little girl imagines that she is flying with the geese.