Are We Walking to Alaska

Are We Walking to Alaska
Are We Walking to Alaska - A True Story

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Snow Geese





Every winter there are thousands of Snow Geese that over-winter in the Skagit Valley, about 20 miles south of here. We have several favorite spots where we often find them, but this day we had decided to head to La Conner to see what was on the other side of the big bridge over the bay. On the way we spotted masses of white and turned down a long farm driveway (there are several farms there so we weren't on private property, just on a long gravel road to the farms. And there they were - two huge flocks - one on each side of the road.



Snow Geese everywhere . . .


The brown tint on their faces is from minerals in the soil, it colors those feathers a brownish color - it isn't a stain, but a permanent color given to the feathers from the minerals.


The feathers on the young geese are amazing!





The sound by the flocks is sometimes almost deafening and when they fly up it seems every Snow Goose is honking - perhaps it is their guidance system.


We drove slowly down the gravel road and at one point, part of the flock was crossing the road.


They didn't seem to mind us one bit . . .



And slowly they got to the other side - plenty of time for more photos . . .


Time for some sleep - come back tomorrow for lots of action shots - here is a little sample.


Good Bye!


5 comments:

Franni said...

These pictures are amazing Jo. I can't wait to get my new camera!!!!

Pondside said...

Oh my goodness! We were there on Sunday but didn't see a single one. I'd have loved to have seen them. Do you know when would be a good time to drive down to see the tulip fields around there?

GardenOfDaisies said...

What a beautiful flock of snow geese. (Or should that be a gaggle of geese?) This reminds me of a book I read years ago... " The Snow Goose", by Paul Gallico.

Lili said...

To see them in a distance it looks just like a field of white flowers...or cotton. I love the ones where the flock is crossing the road, especially with the backdrop of the mountains. You had a pretty good field day out there capturing those for us. It puts a smile on my face just to imagine the shear joy of it all. ~Lili

monika@mysweetprairie.ca said...

WOW!! Lvoe she shot of them on the road. LOVELY photographs. : )

Monika
sewing & photos in Saskatoon