Hi all, I had an errand to run along the lake, so after the errand (which did not work out), I decided to head further north in the hopes of seeing Snow Geese. When I arrived, sun had already set and I hardly saw any snow geese. Only a few were visible and a few were landing behind the vegetation. I was disappointed at that and was about head back when I heard the swishing noise, looked back there was a huge snow geese cloud rising from the muck. They often settle back soon after one such burst and that is it. But this swarm kept circling. I watched for 5 minutes as I did not want to miss the show. Then I grabbed my camera and started shooting video. I was wearing only T-shirt and it was getting freezing. I thought I might miss this action so did not bother to waste time get my jacket. Then this went on and on even my hands started shaking due to cold. So stopped and grabbed my coat. For nearly half an hour they swirled and circled. They waxed and waned, they came in as rising and falling tide. When they were heading towards me when I looked up, there was dizzying effect on me as the waves and waves flew over me. It was amazing to watch them. With shaking hand and steadying hand I managed to get some fifteen minutes video. I wish I had mounted the camera on the tripod.
I am not sure what made them circle so long. Were they thinking of heading south as cold is expected to night? Many birds, especially shore birds do this kind of flight when they are in hurry to migrate. Or were there any hunters on the ground that made them take to wing and probably every time a small group landed they got shot at so they took to flight again. I hope that was not the case. I hate to think myself as snow goose, especially if I the cute Ross's Goose (which I saw many at Bosque del Apache) and get continuously shot at by some nasty human when I am ready to rest and sleep. Here is a video about a minute at YouTube. As this is a large file, takes time to load, I suggest wait for it completely download (watch the grey line reach the end) and then watch instead of in snatches. Hope you too enjoy it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=baXc6u0T8u8 Cheers Meena I was glad I was there to watch this scene. Meena Haribal Ithaca NY 14850 http://haribal.org/ http://meenaharibal.blogspot.com/ -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
