Skagit Flats Snow Geese

[Terry O]

Hunting season is on, so I found on my trip yesterday (Saturday the 9th of Nov.) the public viewing area on Fir Island the best place to set up the Canon 500/1.4x and
watch a small flock of Snow Geese that were resting in the fields to the east. They were almost motionless. As luck would have it, a large group of geese flew in providing some opportunities. Also
luckily, a bit of filtered sun came out.

 

[fiznatty]

Nice to see they're here already, Terry. Did you notice much raptor activity?

Max

 

[JaniceL]

Beautifully captured.

 

[Terry O]

Thanks, Max. I did see a couple of Northern Harriers flying over being chased by crows, but not a lot of raptor activity.

 

[Terry O]

Thanks very much, Janice. I find it difficult to get good shots when there are so many flying at once, though.

 

[Bill Anderson]

Good shots. I hope you wore your orange hi-viz vest.

 

[Terry O]

No need at the public spot - but you are right, otherwise the place was crawling with hunters

 

[JaniceL]

Thanks very much, Janice. I find it difficult to get good shots when there are so many flying at once, though.

Hard to get that perfect focus.

 

[Terry O]

A few more shots of the Snow Geese from Saturday, Nov. 9

After taking some nearly 500 shots, it always takes me a while to whittle them down. Here's a few more

 

[BobH]

No need at the public spot - but you are right, otherwise the place was crawling with hunters

I'm still trying to get used that whole idea. They have a bird refuge and hunting area side by side. You're shooting photos and suddenly "BLAM!" "BLAM!" and one goes into a tailspin.

I guess it's not uncommon, I think that Nisqually also has hunting nearby, and possibly Ridgefield does too. But it still seems a bit odd to me.

 

[squirl033]

I'm still trying to get used that whole idea. They have a bird refuge and hunting area side by side. You're shooting photos and suddenly "BLAM!" "BLAM!" and one goes into a tailspin.
I guess it's not uncommon, I think that Nisqually also has hunting nearby, and possibly Ridgefield does too. But it still seems a bit odd to me.

yeah, i heard some shots yesterday too, especially up in the Samish Flats. the snow geese that flew over yesterday when i was at the wildlife area on the Skagit Flats were smart... they were way too high for any shotgunner to even bother aiming at. but it does seem a little counter-intuitive to put a wildlife viewing area right next to a spot that's open to hunting from September through March!

 

[Terry O]

Blue-morph Snow Geese

I discovered in looking at my in-flight shots taken on Nov. 9, that I had captured two adult 'Blue-morph' Snow Geese along with two Blue-morph Juvies.

They are considered 'rare west of the Great Plains' according to the National Geographic 'Birds of Western North America'

 

[Bill Anderson]

Good catch. The 500L comes through again.