Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area is well-known for being a stop-over location for migrating snow geese, tundra swans, Canada geese and ducks.  In recent years, as many as 100,000 snow geese, 10,000 tundra swans and 10,000 Canada geese have stopped on the way to their breeding grounds to the north.  It’s a magical place to be at this time of year!  I always look forward to visiting several times during their usually month-long visit.  I’ve been to Middle Creek twice this year and have spent time observing not only the miracle of nature before me, but also the reaction of the visitors.  Yes, the photographers are out in full-force – many with lenses longer than my arm – like in the photo above right.  But there are also the kids who I believe are enjoying the event more than anyone!   The kids don’t really care what kind of camera they have, or whether their photos are close, out-of-focus, off-center, etc.  They are – maybe even for the very first time – witnessing something they may have only read about in their science books.  They eagerly look through binoculars and snap photos as the geese blast off and fly overhead with a sound like you’ve never heard before!  Who do you think will cherish their visit to Middle Creek more …. the gentleman with the mega-zoom lens or the little girl with her pink camera who is capturing the thrill of a lifetime?  Yes, I do take my camera with me to Middle Creek, but with just a 200mm lens, I don’t expect fabulous photos.  What I want to bring home on my memory card is just that….a memory of the exhilarating experience of watching 100,000 birds take to flight all at the same time!  Sometimes I don’t even photograph as the snow geese take to the air….I just watch in awe!