Posted on March 16, 2018 in Birds, Documentary, Nature, Wildlife, Winter
Two birds of a feather flying together … a Ring-Billed Gull and a Greater Snow Goose at Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area.
Posted on March 12, 2018 in Birds, Documentary, Landscape, Nature, Wildlife, Winter
The Snow Geese had been flying back and forth between the lake and the nearby fields all afternoon. Their change in location was very much inspired by a passing Great Blue Heron or Hawk. Just before sunset, they were all in the fields right near the road. I couldn’t resist a few backlit images and the warm color of the setting sun before I headed for home. The latest count from Middle Creek shows an INCREASE in numbers of geese, so there is still time to head on out for a ‘gander’ at the geese before they fly to their northern breeding ground!
Posted on March 11, 2018 in Birds, Documentary, Nature, Wildlife, Winter
It was so much fun to find a few banded snow geese at Middle Creek this year and report them to the North American Bird Banding Program. The program is under the direction of the U.S. Geological Survey and the Canadian Wildlife Service who study the movement, survival and behavior of birds. I have submitted and received certificates on two banded greater snow geese and have a few more to submit. Goose #XC24 was hatched in 2015 or earlier and banded on 8/12/16 way north of Canada in the arctic circle! It was amazing to look for the location on the world map and see just how far this little girl has flown to be with us at Middle Creek! The photo shows one of my photos of XC24 and the certificate received from the U.S. Geological Survey.
Posted on March 8, 2018 in Animals, Birds, Documentary, Landscape, Nature, Wildlife, Winter
Two of my most favorite things are seeing thousands of snow geese in flight and listening to the clip clop sound of a horse and buggy! Seeing them both together and being able to photograph the moment was a dream come true! This is my new favorite photo from this year’s migration at Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area.
Posted on March 7, 2018 in Birds, Nature, Wildlife, Winter
I love the distinctive call of the Mourning Dove … coo COO coo coo! It is easily recognizable and I find it very calming. Mourning Doves are frequent visitors to our feeders and I caught this one just before he was about to fly to a different branch in the evergreen tree during today’s snowstorm.