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Thursday, 3 October 2019

Old friends

We haven’t seen Canada geese for some time. Following hatching of the goslings and the moulting of the older birds, they were missing from our area for the last two months. Then, on Open Farm Day, a huge flock flew over the last farm we visited. It was good to see our old friends.





The youngsters haven’t perfected the V formation from the look of the flock that day. Young ones need practice so as not to fly into or too close to other birds.





The photos show how close some of the birds came to each other.






The geese usually leave Prince Edward Island in late December. Over the next three months the young ones will perfect the art of flight in formation. As the shadows lengthen, the flock will visit fields, ponds and harbour bulking up for their marathon of flight.





Through open windows and doors, we will hear them as they pass overhead between locations. We’ll watch them on the harbour as we walk the boardwalk, their honking, one of the sounds of the shortening autumn days. 




Welcome back old friends, for a few months anyway.


Update: just over two weeks since the first sighting of geese, smaller flocks are flying in perfect v formation to and from the harbour. The young ones are fast learners.


25 comments:

Debra She Who Seeks said...

I didn't know that young ones had to learn the vee formation. Good info!

Catarina said...

It is a good feeling seeing them again with their families! : ))

DJan said...

Welcome back, dear birds! I love to see them fly in formation like that. :-)

Danielle L Zecher said...

They really were close! I guess personal space is something that has to be learned.

I don't know exactly what kind they were, but a small V of honking birds flew over our yard yesterday evening. It was neat to watch them. I was cutting grass, so didn't have my phone to get a picture. Glad I get to enjoy yours!

Bill said...

Practice makes perfect. Lovely photos, Marie!

Mage said...

Graat photos....but do they ever collide?

Ruth Hiebert said...

I love the sight of those huge flocks of geese in the sky. I know at this time of year they are in the process of heading south, but it won't be that terribly long and the first few will be back at the end of winter. Always something to look forward to.

Elephant's Child said...

Nice to know that they learn the choreography for their aerial ballet quickly. And what an amazing sight.

William Kendall said...

Terrific shots!

The ones who spend the summer here are probably already gone.

At Home In New Zealand said...

I have seen some Canada Geese in different places around our country, but I have never seen a huge flock like that. What an awesome sight!

Debbie said...

the parents must be good teachers also!! nice captures!!!

Rose said...

Oh, I am lonesome to hear the geese...it is such a sound of fall for me. We did have a few pair that stayed at the strip pit area all year, but then in the fall it was magic out there. Now, there might be one pair that I see, but they are too far away for photos...and I don't see them all the time. And not near the same number of geese pass through. I would love to know the reason.

Anvilcloud said...

We, too, are seeing some flying and hearing some honking.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

Gosh they certainly are Marie, I guess it's an instinctive thing. They are a pretty awesome sight to see in huge formations like this. So different from the flocks of Black Carnaby cockatoos flying around noisily here at the moment ✨

Natalia said...

I love their groups formin a v shape, what a lovely view!☺

Laurel Wood said...

Vert pretty photos.

jenny_o said...

How I love this post, Marie! I'd never thought about the logistics of the youngsters learning to fly in formation, but now that you say it, it makes so much sense. I'm glad to hear they learn quickly.

I don't think I've ever seen a flock that large - usually there are fewer than a dozen in the formations that we see here. Wonderful shots!

Tomoko said...

Such a great view!
It is exciting to see their flying!

Shammickite said...

Many of the geese around here are preparing to fly south, but many more stay around in Southern Ontario for the winter. Crazy birds! If I had the choice of avoiding the ice and snow and spending some time in warm sunshine, I know what my choice would be!!!!!!

eileeninmd said...

Hello,

Great series. Yes, looks like the young ones need more practice. We have some geese that stay here year round. Enjoy your day, wishing you a great new week ahead.

The Happy Whisk said...

Neato. We have them all over here. Very liud, they are.

Barbara said...

I've never seen the snow geese flying from one location to another. I would love to hear that honking as they passed over or watch a big flock land in a pond near me.

Stewart M said...

Splendid pictures - I used to look forward to the geese coming back when I lived in the UK. They were a winter bird for me.

Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

baili said...

GLORIOUS captures Marie :)

it is always deep pleasure to meet with old friends!

your observation brought us so many interesting stories :)

Jenn said...

I wonder if they ever do crash into each other...