Edge of the Flock. © Copyright 2022 G Dan Mitchell.
A large flock of migratory snow geese in a pond in California’s Central Valley.
The conditions must be just right, you must arrive at the correct time, persistence is necessary, and a bit of luck is important. If all of this works out you may encounter stunningly large flocks of over-wintering migratory geese covering the landscape in parts of the Central Valley of California. If you are extra lucky and extra persistent one of the flocks may settle in right next to you.
I don’t know how many birds were in this flock, but it stretched across this large pond and over a great distance from side to side. The visual impact is obvious, but unless you are there you miss out on the sonic effect. The flock produces a constant audio drone, with sudden crescendos when a threat appears — and with that threat all of the birds’ heads rise straight up on their long necks until it passes.
G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” is available from Heyday Books, Amazon, and directly from G Dan Mitchell.
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I wonder if birds will someday evolve with technology and it up being aware of humans with telephoto lenses!
It’s a great shot and you can tell they were completely unaware of you!
Oh, yes, I used the telephoto. I think it may have been either 400mm or the equivalent of about 560mm, so I was a pretty good distance away — far enough to not disturb the geese.
I assume this was with the telephoto lens or you could not have gotten that close. About how far were you? Were you the threat or that little silly duck lol? Great shot!