Heading South for the Winter

Mallards Flyover

Mallards Flyover © 2008 Bo Mackison

Geese have been flying over the house every morning, and then again every evening, since September. The lake they use as their headquarters is maybe six blocks to the east of us. The cornfields where they feed are a mile to the west.  The birds often fly so close I can see them clearly from the second story window. Occasionally they appear to be nearly skimming the roof. They are truly magnificent birds when seen in flight at such close range.

But a few days ago, the early morning honking became less noticeable. Yesterday, when I went to take photos, there were only a dozen or so geese in the sky, instead of the typical hundreds. Today I only saw a pair.

I suspect most of them have packed up and headed south, like many intelligent creatures choose to do at this time of year. It’s early though. Last year, the geese were still in Wisconsin through the end of November.

Maybe they know something I don’t.

About Bo Mackison

I'm a photographer, book-artist, traveler, naturalist, and creator of the Contemplative Creatives Journey, An Online Workshop and Community and Desert Wisdom Cards and Workshops. Though often not well known, I find the desert a welcoming place - a healing space. Its mysteries and gifts transformed me several years ago. Since that first encounter, I return again and again to fill my well in what most people think of as a desolate region. I'd love to share my desert discoveries and wisdom with you. Please subscribe to receive my five part mini email course The Gifts of the Desert. It's my gift to you.

Comments

  1. Joanna Young says

    That photograph is just stunning. It’s like a poem – says so much with just a few black and white lines.

  2. suehenryphotography says

    I think those geese are over our area (KY) now! I really like the way you framed the geese with the tree branches. Nicely captured image.

  3. Love your composition and choice of focus. The geese look almost like a dream….

  4. Love the way the tree is in focus and the birds out of focus…

  5. We have so many geese and more come in the fall. They don’t ever really seem to leave.

    This is really nice. I like how the focus is on the branches.

  6. I’ve loved to see the “V’s” of geese for so many years! We are fortunate here to see the migration and yet still have a few who stay around throughout the winter.

  7. Yay! They’re on their way! Yesterday I saw the first codgery of coots floating on our waters so perhaps it’s time for the first migratory waterfowl blog post! Thanks for the nudge…!

  8. They’re going to miss ski season. Too bad for them.

  9. Bo, that photograph is art.

    The line, through the trees? That’s some really interesting movement and symmetry.

    Curious- did you play with it at all?

  10. A – What you see is what I shot. Not even a crop. But I shot about 30 photos trying to get one good one. 🙂

  11. I have to agree with many of the comments here—this photo is just great. The composition, the in focus and out of focus, the lines. Wow.

  12. I can’t believe the geese are flying away. It is bad news for sure.

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