Snow Geese

On a hunt to find some shore birds that had been seen this winter along Bow-Edison road we came upon, instead, the biggest flock of Snow Geese we had seen this winter  Because of the freezing weather there was not as much soft ground for the Snow  Geese to feed on so the huge flocks split up and even moved farther south when the exceptionally large flocks of Trumpeter Swans took over the fields.

 We were excited to see them in this location - which was not their regular feeding ground most years.

 The flock was estimated at 30,000  Snow Geese

 One goose in particular caught our eye - the dark on in the middle of the photo.  It is a Blue Goose, or Dark Morph Snow Goose - this is the first year we've ever seen one.

 The flock was never still - with birds taking off and landing constantly - chattering all the time.

 And new flocks began arriving - landing at the end of the flock nearest us - giving us the perfect view.

 Never landing on another bird - they would settle in and begin feeding immediately.

 Landing and taking off

 Then, as if by signal, the flock began lifting off the field

 Swirling into the sky

Just a few left on the ground

 And then they were all in the air

 Heading off to the bay for a safe night's sleep

 And into the sunset

 We sat, stunned by what we had seen and heard, and stunned by the vast silence.

Saturday's Critters