Thursday, November 7, 2013

FLYING GEESE





Flying Geese Quilt Pattern
(couldn't get a photo of the Canadian geese
 so I substituted this quilt pattern)


Last night about 5 PM I was walking my dog Sal when I heard a familiar noise off in the distance. No, it wasn't the usual planes or the highway traffic I hear at night here in Vancouver. It was a favorite sound that I had not heard in several years. 

It was the distant honking-chatter of Canadian geese. Oh please, I thought, fly over where I am standing. I kept my eyes peeled toward the darkening sky when up over the trees I could see some thin lines headed my way. 


And suddenly -- there they were. Hundreds of noisy migratory geese flying overhead -- three huge V-formations of them! Ever since I was a young girl I have stood in awe of their flights. 

This one was magnificent!!!



26 comments:

  1. Those skeins of geese are so magical -- I've never been able to get a shot of them. But your quilt substitute is lovel. And I loved the poem and photo in the last post.

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    1. Vicki -- magical is a lovely word to describe flying geese. Where I lived in Kentucky, although rural, I never heard or saw the overhead flight of Canadian geese. Perhaps that is why I was so enchanted last night. thanks for your comment -- barbara

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  2. I love the sound of the geese flying over. We get to hear it most nights because we live near a marsh and the geese stay year-round because it is so mild.

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    1. Birdie -- When I lived in Michigan we had marshes near and like you I would hear the geese often. For awhile the geese populations declined in Michigan but now they have superseded their former populations in the state. At least that is the last that I heard of that situation. thanks for the comment -- barbara

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    2. We have so many geese here that they are thinking of a cull. Each school fields will have around a hundred geese. I don't think it is a bad idea provided they actually use the meat. We have so many homeless and low income people it only makes sense.

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  3. I am so glad that you got to see and see them. Here on the Texas Gulf Coast, we are on the receiving end for many of geese and ducks. We have many rice fields near where I live and have flocks stopping by on the way further south. One of my favorite birding trips is to go mid-winter to Brownsville to see the ducks and geese. Hope we can go again this year.

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    1. Florence -- I've always wanted to visit some of the main migratory bird routes but have never done so -- and the years are passing by. Hope you are able to make a Brownsville trip to see the ducks and birds -- would enjoy a blog on it if you do -- thanks -- barbara

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    1. Tabor -- I gave up my home field in Kentucky now -- I find nature in the cracks and scraps of greenery around the city of Vancouver. I do branch out once in awhile. You have a wonderful area to observe nature as do many of the bloggers. thanks -- barbara

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  5. Yes, it's wonderful when there are many, many making their journey together. "MY" Canadian geese, who summer at a pond nearby and raise their young here, visit my lawn a part of most days. Sometimes a few linger well into December but it seems that they have left earlier this year -- which surprises me because we've had a surprisingly warm and beautiful autumn and today is one of the few very gray and rainy ones. Well, many locals have headed South or will go immediately after Thanksgiving and the geese, too, like points South and don't enjoy the snow.

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    1. June -- What great visitors to your lawn. And to watch the cycle of rearing their young at your nearby pond is a gift. It seems that migratory birds have a sixth sense about weather. I know there has been many theories about how they have a natural type of GPS system for traveling and also can receive a forewarning about the weather. Many more theories that I am not knowledgeable about. I just enjoy them. -- thanks -- barbara

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  6. Well it's a pretty quilt. I like all the different patterns on the fabrics. I haven't heard any geese here but it does seem like we should have a lot coming through these days. Glad you and Sal got to experience the scene!

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    1. Melissa -- Actually I believe that the pattern is a quilt square. I got the photo online -- it came without credits. I always try to give credit if it is noted. Hope your turn will come soon when you will see the wonderful V-formations -- thanks -- barbara

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  7. We see lots of them spring, summer and fall, a few even nest nearby. Magical yes. And haunting too.... I love the sight and the call.....:)

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    1. troutbirder -- They are a noisy bunch when they fly overhead -- but it is music to my ears. And those large V-formations are spectacular. Lots of magic out there in nature -- thanks --barbara

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  8. It's a miracle of nature, isn't it? I'm so glad you got to be in their presence, & they in yours...

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    1. Rita -- troutbirder above uses the word magical and you miracles -- nature is both all wrapped up in one. Funny how one's spirits can soar just watching their spectacle of V-formations and listening to their calls overhead. thanks -- barbara

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  9. Your quilt pattern is perfect for this time of year, as the geese leave and we pull the blankets up under our chins, Barbara.

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    1. Granny Sue -- you describe the wonder of winter by using the words, "pull the blankets up under our chins." Being all comfy under a mountain of blankets is what chases the chills of winter away.-- thanks -- barbara

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  10. It is reassuring to see how numerous the Canadian geese are. They are all over the place in Seattle.

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    1. Hattie -- Leaving central KY where I never saw Canadian geese in the sky and moving here where I witnessed many in flight has been a delight. Settle is far north of me but I would welcome their appearance over Vancouver as they fly south -- the more the merrier! -- barbara

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  11. I occasionally have a very small flight of geese over my yard, but most winters I get up to North Norfolk where there are huge numbers of geese flying to roost every evening, though they usually wait till there's not quite enough light in the sky to get a satisfactory photo.

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    1. Yes John -- I have experienced those evening flights many times when I lived in Michigan -- difficult to get photos then. I have noticed that some flights are not as high as others. The flight I witnessed the other evening was extremely high in the sky -- I wondered if that is an indication that it is a migratory flight or were they just finding better air currents. thanks -- barbara

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  12. I see that you must live much further south than we do, although the climate is very similar in some sense (we areat about the latitude of Anchorage). Our Geese left us in August. I look forward to having the back :-)

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    1. RuneE -- Yes, we are much further south than you. I believe we would line up with France? We have the coastal effect here so we seem to be warmer than the eastern part of the state. Of course with so many mountains weather fluctuates. I am told little snow occurs here but lots of rain in the winter months. Today will be 50 degrees. I am convinced the geese know more about this place than I do :)) -- thanks -- barbara

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  13. I love flying geese. We have geese where I live and I get to watch them almost every day.

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