Umnak Loc: Mount Vernon, Wa.

Okay it's not really a post with spectacular shots of bald eagles, or geese, but it is, however, a tale of timing.....

I struck out last night with a little more than an hour until sunset. In search of the snow geese that winter here in the Skagit Valley. I finally found them out by Padilla Bay and to my delight, they were only 100 feet from the road sitting in a field. Cool right? I found a safe place to park, got the camera set for the light not long before sunset. Just then, a thunderous roar of low frequency! It took me a second or two to process what I was hearing and by the way the field sits about 15 feet below grade of the roadway. It was all 829 snow geese(yes, I counted them that fast )lifting off. I will run these images in sequence and it will all make sense.

Perhaps I can get some better images of these geese before they fly north for the summer. If only I had gotten to this area a little sooner or the eagle had waited a little longer to return to its mate..... We won't ever know for sure but it was a very cool experience!!!

Rob

1. Thunderous beginning

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2. Spray and "prey" method

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3. Yes I used an "e" and you'll see why....

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4. That's a lot of geese!

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5. Why did they all just leave?

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6. Alas, they didn't just move a little but I love that light!

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7. Coming up from the field..... "ah hah!"

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8. Perhaps trying to provide for little beaks?

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CindyHouk Loc: Nw MT

Amazing! You were in the right place at the right time. We have a snow geese migration at Freeze Out Lake in Chotoeu MT every year...average of 100,000 or more ....the sound when they take off is amazing, you just can't describe it.

Umnak Loc: Mount Vernon, Wa.

Thanks Cindy! You're absolutely right about the sound when they all spook at the same time. I struggled to find words to even come close to describing the sound. Deafening and wondrous, all wrapped together!

Sidwalkastronomy Loc: New Jersey Shore

Wow nature is spectacular

CindyHouk Loc: Nw MT

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

What a great experience, Rob! Thanks for sharing.

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

You said you were going to try to catch some Snow Geese, and you surely did! Wasn't that fun?? Well done, Rob!!

NMGal Loc: NE NM

A wonderful set.

DougS Loc: Central Arkansas

Super, and so exciting set!

hettmoe Loc: Rural ND

Very nice!

tcthome Loc: NJ

angler Loc: StHelens England

Excellent Rob.

Umnak Loc: Mount Vernon, Wa.

It sure is!!

Umnak Loc: Mount Vernon, Wa.

Thanks Mike, it was one moment I'll not soon forget.
Rob

Umnak Loc: Mount Vernon, Wa.

Very true Chief! Thank you, and yes it was a really cool experience! Still hoping for that moment/shot like you got in Bosque, someday...... You can't win if you don't play right?!
Rob