Posted on March 2, 2013 in Documentary, Nature, Wildlife, Winter
They’re baaack! The snow geese have returned to Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area in Pennsylvania….by the tens of thousands! Middle Creek is a stop over point on the migration path of the snow geese every year between mid-February and mid-March. It’s an exhilarating sight to see THAT MANY geese take to flight all at the same time! I never tire of watching and hearing the sound of so many wings flapping simultaneously! So cool! Speaking of cool…..it was doggone COLD today standing outside in the field watching the geese for several hours, but well worth it to see this miracle of nature!
Posted on May 29, 2012 in Animals, Wildlife
With all of the rain that we’ve had lately, the grass, flowers & weeds are growing like crazy. Late last week, however, I noticed that there were LESS weeds than usual. Hmmm…..how could that be? Then on Sunday I saw the culprit! This cute groundhog – who apparently lives on the side of my house – has been munching on all of my plants. When I saw him I tapped on the window and the first and second times I did that, he ran off. Then he got brave and just climbed up on the rock pile and stared at me…a tad bit defiantly I might add. I decided that I can’t win, so I might as well just photograph the little devil! Here he is sitting on the rocks with some pretty purple flowers down in front. Below….he’s EATING the purple flowers! I will no longer have to do any weeding in my garden, but I also won’t have any flowers! I enjoy watching his antics as he mows down anything that’s edible…he’s a hungry little groundhog!
Posted on March 9, 2012 in Animals, Nature, Wildlife
The migration activity at Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area is winding down for this year. I noticed on their website that yesterday’s snow goose count was only 20,000. Last weekend it was over 65,000. If you are planning to visit this weekend, you might call ahead for an update before making the trip, otherwise you may be disappointed. Visit their website updates here:
http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=514&objID=621427&mode=2
The most exciting activity at Middle Creek is when tens of thousands of snow geese take off at once, with a lot of noise and flapping of wings, and fly right overhead. It’s interesting to watch and try and figure out what causes them to take to flight. Sometimes it’s a bald eagle that gets a little too close…looking for lunch! Other times it seems like one goose decides that he needs to relocate and then all of his friends join him as they pick a new spot where they can graze. I enjoy watching the birds coming in for a landing……webbed feet dangling beneath them as they plop onto the ground. Today’s blog images show some birds in flight as well as some coming in for a landing. Enjoy!
Posted on March 6, 2012 in Animals, Wildlife
It’s Middle Creek week on the blog! This week I will be posting images from my visits to the Wildlife Management Area for the snow geese/tundra swan migration. Part of the fun of the experience at Middle Creek is watching the people and the dogs that come to the park. This sweet Boston Terrier was with his mom who was photographing the geese alongside the road. There is a yellow rope that guides visitors in knowing where they can go and what areas are prohibited. This little pooch kept inching his way under the rope and out as far as he could go on his retractable leash so that he could get a better view of the birds. It’s always amazing to me that the dogs don’t often bark or go after the geese…..they are, just like the rest of us….enjoying the experience of watching the activity!
Posted on March 5, 2012 in Animals, People, Wildlife
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!
