The viewing

Horizon photos appeal to me.

Last Saturday, our horizons were wide.

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Largely filled with cloud.

We had driven two hours north to the small town of Addison, Vermont.

Searching online, I had found a place called the Dead Creek Wildlife Area, located not far from the southeastern shore of Lake Champlain.

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We went with no expectations other than to discover a new destination.

In my experience, having low expectations generally has better results.

At the very least, you avoid disappointment!

We found an extensive wetland and a small number of ducks that for reasons unknown my camera refused to photograph. It was one of those days when it got called a rude name, though I acknowledge that I should no doubt have been berating myself.

As we gazed around taking in lungfuls of fresh but surprisingly mild air, a local couple came by and pointed in the direction where we might catch sight of something.

It reminded me of years ago aboard ship when we were watching out for a sighting of the first iceberg, although that was a certainty, so not quite as exciting. You just wanted to be the one who saw it.

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If we’d not met that couple, I can’t say for sure that we would have seen them.

Grant suddenly exclaimed excitedly: “There they are!”

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You will not be surprised to hear that I got quite carried away.

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We were at a distance from the geese and the sunlight was bright. I wanted both to enjoy the experience and to capture it.

A challenge!

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To bring the geese closer if I could.

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An old girl can only do so much!

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I just kept shooting and hoping for the best.

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In among the flock a few had darker bodies. They may be blue geese or juveniles.

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This was not a tremendous flock such as may be seen at Point au Lac.

(If you time your visit right!)

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I can’t say how many there were.

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Counting birds is not something I have ever attempted.

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Grant thinks there were only 500. I cannot imagine the experience of seeing them in the thousands and close-up!

The video I took is very short and not good but I’ll attach it so you can hear the sound:

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Perseverance had paid off!

The following morning we lost our beloved Sophia which rather put a damper on our delight, yet we are so happy to have caught up with the elusive snow geese!

One might say that a large flock of geese could hardly be elusive, but that depends on your perspective and timing!

Even this small and distant viewing was a great thrill that we certainly hope to repeat when the geese return in the Spring.

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