Posted on February 19, 2018 in Birds, Documentary, Nature, Painting Effect, Wildlife, Winter
After about 10 years of photographing snow geese at Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area, I think I have a pretty good idea of what to expect from the geese. Each and every visit, however, provides new surprises! This year I’m photographing on a tripod with a Gimbel pan head which I have only had for several months. It’s taking some getting used to, but is saving my back from the endless pain of holding a heavy camera and lens for hours. Being able to react quickly has been the biggest challenge. On Saturday, the snow geese were on the lake and started to make a lot of noise, which typically happens when they are thinking about taking to flight. Often a bald eagle causes the whole group to blast off en masse. On this day, however, it was a quick fly over by a Great Blue Heron that created all of the ruckus! I was able to track the bird and focus quickly enough for a photo or two! A treat to be sure!
Posted on February 17, 2018 in Birds, Documentary, Nature, Wildlife, Winter
Another day … another 75,000 snow geese to photograph! One of my favorite sights during the migration is watching the snow geese land on the water or ice (without crashing into one another!). Their little orange feet come down and they land with such grace! On this day, the sun was shining brightly in the early afternoon of my visit. The largest number of photographers and bird enthusiasts seems to be toward dusk when more and more snow geese make their way to the lake to roost for the night. Unfortunately, as the day grew long, the clouds rolled in and hopes for photographing birds at sunset was lost. Still the soft light as the sun fell behind the clouds made for beautiful coloring on the water.
Posted on February 14, 2018 in Birds, Documentary, Nature, Wildlife, Winter
Note to self … never pass up the opportunity to spend the day with 70,000+ of your favorite snow geese! The migration is AMAZING to see and hear in person. If you have the chance, don’t miss it! The time is now and the place is Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area in Kleinfeltersville, Pa.
Posted on February 6, 2018 in Birds, Documentary, Nature, Wildlife, Winter
Wings up, wings down, wings somewhere in between! There were plenty of Tundra Swans at Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area over the weekend – estimates say about 2,500. They are so elegant in flight as well as on the water.
Posted on February 5, 2018 in Birds, Documentary, Nature, Wildlife, Winter
When the lake at Middle Creek Wildlife Recreation Area is partially covered in ice, most snow geese gather on whatever open water they can find. Some, however, prefer to stand or even sleep on top of the ice. I love the reflections of their little orange feet and white bodies on the frozen surface.