Aleutian Cackling Goose Fly-off

The population of Aleutian cackling geese have exploded over the past many years, and our area has become a favorite stopping place for them during spring migration. They fatten up on tender young pasture grasses, which annoys cattle ranchers. But there is some sort of understanding now, which most likely includes compensation for the pasturage lost. A favored sleeping ground is the Humboldt Bay Wildlife Refuge south of Eureka. On one weekend in March, the gates to the refuge are opened at 6AM so that the public can view the impressive morning fly-off more or less up-close.

A mob of us, growing in size much more slowly than the geese, assembled at Holly and Harvey's at 5:15, and headed out at half-past. By the time we arrived at the refuge, the main parking lot was nearly full, and the overflow are promised to follow soon after.

This is the second year that I have gone, and what a difference in weather! Last year was cloudy and threatening rain. This year we had mostly clear skies and a bit of frost. I think that last year we were also operating on DST, so arrived with plenty of dark to spare. This time, the sky rapidly grew lighter as we walked along the path to prime viewing locations.


In no strict order: Pia, Holly, Kristin, John and Michael. Joe's wee green wellies can be seen behind Michael.



















There were others in our crew that morning: Harvey, Tony, Eileen and Ken. Sadly, there were some infirmities which kept them from tramping all the way out into the squishy wetlands. But they reported being able to see the show well enough.

As the light grew, there were a few small "warm up" flights that can lull the uninitiated into a sense of disappointment. I know I was feeling let down last year, until the Big Wave arose.


The following videos were taken on my point-and-shoot digital camera, hence the poor image quality. The first video shows the biggest wave of geese.


More of the big wave, with "potty talk" from the crew.


I was following some tundra swans when a mob of geese took off. Sadly, the "amazing sound" I mention wasn't well captured. Just as the geese take off, their wings make a sound that, en masse, sounds like a jet engine.


In this week's North Coast Journal, Holly had a haiku published. This seems to be a good spot to put it so I can remember:

Pause

Eleven swans
following geese northward
white on gray skies


Aleutian geese, seen through Kristin's spotting scope. This is a trick that another birding friend and wildlife artist, Gary Bloomfield, told us about at last year's fly-off.








In the middle ground is a crowd of Aleutian geese, along with godwits, willets, shovelers, pintails and other water birds.









The water was like glass. I was regretting not taking Karin up on her offer of a digital SLR for my birthday.
Some day I will go out there for some plein air painting. Honest.



The Bird Nerds: Kristin, Pia, Laura and Holly. On our way back for our post-fly-off brunch.