nature, Photography

Time to Go?

26 Comments

The geese are definitely marshalling themselves and seem to be nearing their departure for warmer climes.

This group was occupying some docks at an empty marina. Quietly murmuring among themselves, they nevertheless seemed to be expectant and focussed.

How do they know when it’s the right time to wing south? My understanding is that they have an internal clock that measures daylight hours and signals to them when those hours become too short for comfort.

I hope they have a safe journey.

26 thoughts on “Time to Go?”

  1. Well…i don’t understand why everytime I’m feeling down your posts keeps bringing me back to life I love the pictures you take they are incredibly beautiful

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  2. Do you suppose that, among the murmuring chatter within the gaggle, there are some discussions about where to go? “Shall we try somewhere different this year”, “I’ve heard there’s a fabulous lake in such-and-such” before they finally decide that they’ll play safe and go back to the same place as last year….?

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    1. Hahaha 😁 I bet they do!

      In reality there’s apparently a dominant female goose who makes the final departure and route decisions although all of the geese take turns at the head of the V formation. Everything I know about them suggests that they’re highly organised, so the murmuring I heard may be the quiet voicing of dissension! 😉

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  4. I have always wondered what the trigger for departure is for the great migration. The snow geese are already moving into the area from the far North. The Canada geese here still seem to feed in the morning and float in the afternoon, but you can see the eagerness to get under way. Have a great Sunday Lynette. Allan

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    1. Thanks, Allan. I recently came across that bit of information while looking for something else. Nature never ceases to amaze.
      I remember gaggles of snow geese flying overhead when I was in the NWT. So beautiful. The Canada Geese here definitely seem to be getting ready to go; they are somehow communicating their anticipation.

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    1. I think that sort of “gaggling” is a pretty sure sign that they’re soon leaving. I saw a gaggle today that was practicing their V formation flying; they then all landed in a lake next to where I was walking. Quite a sight!

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    1. Agreed. Today I saw a gaggle of them practising their V formation over the lake. Then they landed on the water right next to the beach. They were a beautiful sight, but I think this means they’re leaving soon.

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