In the fall, Snow Geese migrate some 3,000 miles (4,800 km) from the northernmost reaches of Canada to as far South as Mexico. In the Spring they do it in reverse, and so we get to see them twice a year, in flocks of a few hundreds to as many as hundreds of thousands of them. In the latter case, they cover the ground like snow, and the sight of them lifting up to fly is a wonder of nature.
The above photos were taken at Merrill Creek Reservoir on a bright sunny day three years ago. The following photos are more recent close ups of Snow Geese in flight. They were taken at the Edwin B Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge on an overcast day.
Lignum Draco said:
No doubt this would be a spectacular sight to observe, and presumably very loud, too. The formations in flight are beautiful. Lovely photos.
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bluebrightly said:
Wonderful variety of angles and views on Snow Geese.
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Mohammad Mahloujian, Stockholm Sweden said:
great photos
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mz&cmo said:
Amazing shots!
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neihtn2012 said:
Thank you!
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bayphotosbydonna said:
Gorgeous images, Hien! Don’t you just love the noise they make on lift-off?! It’s a sound to behold!! 🙂
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neihtn2012 said:
You are right, Donna. That sound is like that of a million Monarch butterflies all taking off at the same time.
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bayphotosbydonna said:
Oh, I’d love to hear the Monarchs some day!!
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Helen C said:
Unbelievable, Hien! I am so grateful that you share these photos with us! Is it possible I can see this in MN? Google “snow geese”?
Actually, I saw a lot of birds on a semi-frozen lake once, but they were so far away. I could hear them, but no way to take good photos. Now I wonder what kind of birds they were.
Thank you! Have a great day.
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neihtn2012 said:
On the Snow Geese migration map, Minnesota is not in their flyways. You ave to go next door to Michigan. Thank you for your comments, Helen.
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Amy said:
Wow, spectacular! Can’t imagine being there… I envy you, Hien! 🙂
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Tom Heuerman said:
Great shots!
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neihtn2012 said:
Thank you Tom!
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quietsolopursuits said:
Snow geese pass through Michigan also, but not in the numbers that you have. It must be amazing to see and hear so many at one time!
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neihtn2012 said:
They are beautiful when they come in, flying high like airplanes. Then they all gather on the ice in lines as long a a quarter mile. Once in a while they fly up in the air, creating a unique sound with their wings flapping and their voices, sounding like some ethereal chorus.
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Tiny said:
Your pictures of this ‘miracle’ are amazing!!
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neihtn2012 said:
Glad you like these photos, Tiny!
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Eliza Waters said:
Beautiful shots, Hien. I’m rather envious, this is something that I’ve longed to see for many years. It must have been stupendous!
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neihtn2012 said:
Thanks Eliza. I am lucky to live in an area considered to be one of their flyways and be able to see them year after year. By the way, their large number means they can be destructive also, sometimes eating all the grasses in the marshlands.
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Eliza Waters said:
Hopefully, it all grows back?
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katelon said:
What stunning photos. How wonderful and magical to be able to see hundreds and thousands of birds flying at the same time.
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neihtn2012 said:
It was quite a sight, and sound, Katelon. It’s worth seeing not once, but year after year.
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nhi said:
So beautiful and graceful performance.Great shots.
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neihtn2012 said:
Thank you Anh Nhi!
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donna213 said:
Great shots. We are having the migration of waterfowl too.
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neihtn2012 said:
Thanks Donna!
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