When we were in
Harney County for Easter, we decided to go out for a ride Saturday afternoon. It had been migratory bird time there, and I wanted to see some of the beautiful snow geese. My mother-in-law was doubtful if they were still around. She told me that they come in late February, stay for about 40 days feeding to gain strength, and then continue on their journey north. They really are a sight to see in their giant flocks.
JoAnn, Mom and I traveled around the country, looking at different familiar landmarks, but no snow geese were to be seen. Finally, after turning back for home we spotted some in the air circling.
Mom pulled over to the side of the road and watched them to see where they were going to land. They were headed west so we followed them, watching them fly in their patterns above us. As we grew closer to town we could see they were settling behind the Fair Grounds. The gates were open, so Mom drove through to the back and we were in luck. They were feeding in the grass, and we could drive right up to them.
There were actually hundreds of them, but at a short angle we could only capture a few on film. Mom stopped and we watched them for a while. They were on the ground and in the sky, a wonderful sight. But they are very skittish, and when we pulled forward just a little for a better shot....
up in the air they all flew. They are all white, except for the black marks on the bottom edges of their wings. From above they look snow white, but from below like in this photo, they look much darker.
They circled and some flew off, others landed in the water a distance from us, more protected. This is only a small amount of geese, compared to the thousands that land in this country...only the remaining ones. But we were thrilled to get to see them up close and personal, as well as their stunning sky display. I love the photos above, just because you can see that
Harney County is 'Big Sky Country' too, and you can see from horizon to horizon. A great place to visit!
Mom pulled over to the side of the road and watched them to see where they were going to land. They were headed west so we followed them, watching them fly in their patterns above us. As we grew closer to town we could see they were settling behind the Fair Grounds. The gates were open, so Mom drove through to the back and we were in luck. They were feeding in the grass, and we could drive right up to them.
There were actually hundreds of them, but at a short angle we could only capture a few on film. Mom stopped and we watched them for a while. They were on the ground and in the sky, a wonderful sight. But they are very skittish, and when we pulled forward just a little for a better shot....
up in the air they all flew. They are all white, except for the black marks on the bottom edges of their wings. From above they look snow white, but from below like in this photo, they look much darker.
They circled and some flew off, others landed in the water a distance from us, more protected. This is only a small amount of geese, compared to the thousands that land in this country...only the remaining ones. But we were thrilled to get to see them up close and personal, as well as their stunning sky display. I love the photos above, just because you can see that Harney County is 'Big Sky Country' too, and you can see from horizon to horizon. A great place to visit!
1 comment:
I bet Grandma was thrilled to read this! Thanks for sharing about it!Julie
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