Geese flying south, north, back and forth?
@JamesHxstatic (29242)
Eugene, Oregon
November 13, 2017 9:41am CST
Those dots you see in my quickly taken photo are geese. For several weeks, we have had huge flocks of Canada Geese, the smaller Cackling Geese and others criss-crossing the skies here. We have many lakes around here, so maybe they are just trying them out.
But, a friend of mine suggested that, after a lazy summer of lounging and raising their young, they are sort of exercising, getting those youngsters ready for a long flight to warmer climes in California or somewhere. It may be like going to the gym.
At any rate, all day long there have been these big flocks flying west, then there will be a big flock flying east or north or south. I came back to add that they are honking or cackling constantly in flight too, so the sound is wonderful.
13 people like this
14 responses
@LadyDuck (458091)
• Switzerland
13 Nov 17
@JamesHxstatic I remember that I saw an interesting documentary. They have staging or resting areas where they join up to start their journey. They e fly in a distinctive V-shaped formation at an altitude of about 3,000 feet. They can live up to 24 years.
3 people like this
@JamesHxstatic (29242)
• Eugene, Oregon
13 Nov 17
@LadyDuck We have many who stop off here in Oregon. Some like it so well that they actually stay. Here is a nice photo showing the difference in size between the Canada and the Cackling Goose. (Big size and sound difference)
Distinguishing Cackling Goose from Canada Goose
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@JamesHxstatic (29242)
• Eugene, Oregon
13 Nov 17
I had not thought of that Anna. But they have to limber up for that long journey too.
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@JudyEv (325759)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Nov 17
If I've told you this before I apologise in advance. I'm sure you know about geese flying in a V-formation when they migrate but do you know why one line of the V is longer than the other? It's because there are more geese in the long line. 
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@JamesHxstatic (29242)
• Eugene, Oregon
14 Nov 17
@JudyEv Yessss, I just stunned Anne.
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You'll be able to stun others with your knowledge now. 
@JamesHxstatic (29242)
• Eugene, Oregon
13 Nov 17
Thank you! Sometimes they come in waves, one flock like this after another. I love to hear them.
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@rebelann (111164)
• El Paso, Texas
13 Nov 17
You are welcome @JamesHxstatic We only get flocks of Mourning Doves or sparrows and the like but they don't form those neat V shapes the geese do and I've never seen that many birds in the sky at one time.
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@JamesHxstatic (29242)
• Eugene, Oregon
13 Nov 17
@rebelann I had not either until I moved to Oregon years ago. Where we live now seems to be on a flyway too. I made the photo a bit larger.
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@sallypup (57858)
• Centralia, Washington
13 Nov 17
I love watching the geese. Tons of them here due to the creek below the property. I believe it was snow geese going over the other day but I'm not an expert. Sometimes when I am supposed to be feeding the hens, I stand by their coop door and gawk above me. Cool photo.
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@sallypup (57858)
• Centralia, Washington
13 Nov 17
@JamesHxstatic Yes. Five white birds flew over; their voices higher than a Canada goose.
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@JamesHxstatic (29242)
• Eugene, Oregon
13 Nov 17
I gawk a lot too. The snow geese should be white I think.
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@jillybean1222 (6408)
•
17 Nov 17
I've loved seeing the large flocks in the sky over the last couple weeks.
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@JamesHxstatic (29242)
• Eugene, Oregon
27 Feb 18
Yes and there seems to be a lot coming back to the area now.
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@JamesHxstatic (29242)
• Eugene, Oregon
27 Feb 18
@Hannihar Yes, they spend a lot time as frequent flyers.
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@Hannihar (129470)
• Israel
27 Feb 18
@JamesHxstatic
So James is the weather nice that they are coming back. I know when the weather is not good they fly to warmer climates.
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@JamesHxstatic (29242)
• Eugene, Oregon
13 Nov 17
It really is @JaboUK . If I am inside and hear them, I often run out to see.
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@RasmaSandra (73407)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
13 Nov 17
I like watching geese when they come here in the spring and leave in the autumn. We have many ducks that stay in the canals and the rivers here all the time. So in the winter you see them waddling on the ice. But I see no geese and no swans.
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@JamesHxstatic (29242)
• Eugene, Oregon
13 Nov 17
There are ducks flying too, but their flocks are not as big or noisy.
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@Marilynda1225 (79713)
• United States
13 Nov 17
We have those geese flying around here too and although they are quite noisy it's amazing to see how they fly in formation. I wasn't sure if they would fly south for the winter
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@JamesHxstatic (29242)
• Eugene, Oregon
13 Nov 17
It really is great to see those formations and how they let stragglers merge too.
@JohnRoberts (109857)
• Los Angeles, California
13 Nov 17
I have never witnessed the flight of geese.
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@JamesHxstatic (29242)
• Eugene, Oregon
13 Nov 17
I have been fortunate enough to see so many this year.
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@teamfreak16 (43421)
• Denver, Colorado
13 Nov 17
I do enjoy watching geese flying by. I dig the photo.
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@JamesHxstatic (29242)
• Eugene, Oregon
13 Nov 17
Thanks. Scott! One of my favorite sights.
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@FayeHazel (40248)
• United States
14 Nov 17
I hope they figure out where they're going. I too love the sound of geese honking :-)
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@Scrapper88 (5957)
• United States
13 Nov 17
There are a lot of Snow Geese that flies around in my part of the United States.
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