There’s no stop these days to sights of geese flying south. I continue to see flocks heading out in the morning, but today’s numbers baffled the mind. Where are all these birds coming from? Who would have thoughts there were so many Canada geese living north of here.
Some appear to be flying in V-like formations but most seem to be in strands that look like ribbons of smoke at a distance.
Wherever they are headed, in such large numbers they are bound to have an effect on the locations where they rest for the night. How do so many large birds find food in one spot? Seeing so many this morning, I could only stand in awe of their numbers and wonder.
As numerous as they are, their existence, like everything else on the planet, is fragile. In the 1500s, Canadian explorer Jacques Cartier noted that the flocks of passenger pigeons he saw flying overhead blackened the sky. They’re now extinct.
There is symbolic as well as actual beauty in the migration of the birds… There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature — the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after the winter.
~ Rachel Carson
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Flandrum Hill 
So true. Sunday, as we were leaving the church parking lot, my youngest told me to look behind us. There, behind the church, was the largest group of Sandhill cranes I’d ever seen. They were definitely on a short break for their trip south. I was delighted to have seen them in such a large group when I only see them in very small groups during hatching season.
A flock of Sandhill cranes would be so awesome to see. I think children are often more in tune to spotting these wild creatures than adults.
We see many of them stop in the fields of the Skagit Valley just north of me. You are right – it’s a sight to see an entire field of them at once. The Snow Geese stop over too – makes a beautiful field filled with white birds.
Dawn, a large white flock of snow geese would be amazing to see too. Years ago I heard of flocks of Snowy owls congregating on McNab’s Island in the Halifax harbour. The closest I’ve seen to a group of white birds are the seagulls.
Holy flying goose! That’s a lot of geese…we have many up here, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen that many! Fun!
Ha ha Cindy 🙂 It IS a lot of geese. I can’t imagine where all these birds keep coming from and how they’re going to survive down south. It would be great to equip one of them with a web cam.
Maybe they’re headed for the Jack Miner Bird Sanctuary in Ontario. They rendezvous there in amazing numbers in November, probably on account of the treats. After a little rest they’re ready to launch themselves across Lake Erie. Dunno where they go after that, but I’ll bet it’s someplace warm . . .
Gerry, I was at that sanctuary years ago and had forgotten all about it. Treats go a long way in attracting wildlife, especially ones that are offered in the same place year after year.
Amazing that the geese are flying so late…is it always this late in the year when they wing overhead?
P.S. wanted to tell you that Sahlah (Dawn) has suggested that some of us bloggers go “shopping” on Black Friday or Saturday for rocks, feathers, twigs, etc. and give them as gifts to our fellow blog readers.Isn’t that a good idea? You can see her suggestion under the comments here: http://centria.wordpress.com/2009/11/24/what-the-forest-thinks-about-black-friday/
I know you love to play!
Kathy, I’ve seen large flocks of them leave as late as New Year’s Eve.
Thanks for the heads up about Dawn’s challenge. Will check it out 🙂
The Rachel Carson words are exactly the sentiment I have, when I see my late mothers christmas cactus flowering. I was very glad to see this post, and such a poetic way to express it. Thank you.
You’re so welcome giid. It’s wonderful how nature (whether found in the great outdoors or in a potted plant indoors)can be such a comfort with its predictable cycles.