Flight formations of Canadian Geese always impressed me as a child. Hell, it still does. The clacking takes over the countryside as the "V" pattern soars overhead; each bird firmly situated in it's given spot. Growing up, our home was surrounded on each side by farm fields for as far as the eye could see. (OK, not completely as far as you could see, but our closest neighbor was nearly a mile.) Our plot of land was smack dab in the middle of crops. Two of the four fields were typically potatoes, one was grain and the other broccoli.
As the farm tractors steered between rows, I recall watching as the geese landed a safe distance away and ate grain. One goose will watch over the entire cackle as they graze away. Taking turns, they are alert and monitor surroundings. They ensure safety of the group and noisily make it known when danger approaches - whether that be man, machine, or predator. Canadian Geese are an extremely quick group to take flight. I always appreciated their eloquence in the air and couldn't resist the opportunity to take a few photos when I spotted them on a recent trip back home to Northern Maine.
As the farm tractors steered between rows, I recall watching as the geese landed a safe distance away and ate grain. One goose will watch over the entire cackle as they graze away. Taking turns, they are alert and monitor surroundings. They ensure safety of the group and noisily make it known when danger approaches - whether that be man, machine, or predator. Canadian Geese are an extremely quick group to take flight. I always appreciated their eloquence in the air and couldn't resist the opportunity to take a few photos when I spotted them on a recent trip back home to Northern Maine.
7 comments:
This post took me back. I remember well looking out over those fields which your Grandfather farmed at one time. Not only were there geese but also bear, deer, moose and an ocassional coyote. I also invision a certain young man on his dirt bike, in the early spring, playing in the mud. Thank you for the pleasant trip.
Mom
Mom,
A pleasant trip it surely has been. Great memories...
Just a note ...geese are Canada geese, not people from Canada,...canadian geese.
Not sure what you're saying, but where I come from we reference them as Canadian Geese. Thanks.
What anonymous is trying to say is that the name of the bird in question is Canada Goose/Geese, as opposed to Canadian Goose/Geese.
Where I live on the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay, our fall flights of Canada Geese are legendary, and an important part of our regional identity. We even have waterfowl festivals to celebrate their return. Nothing quite so noble as a flock of long-necks honking their way across a silver autumn sky. Great photos!
Steve,
Thanks for the clarification. I didn't realize there was such a difference in terminology between locations. Obviously this is very important to your culture and heritage. Appreciate the comment and thanks for the compliment on photos.
-Rhon
Just for the record I call them Canadian Geese as well, but technically they are named CANADA geese, it's not a regional difference in calling something something, but rather it's like if someone just decided to call you Ron Bill, sure it's close, but it's not your name. While were at it, a group of geese is a gaggle, not a cackle.
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