Thousands of snow geese delight bird watchers of all ages
LA CONNER, Wash. (AP) — Bird watchers took advantage of a day without rain Thursday to gaze at snow geese that spend the winter at a reserve near the mouth of the Skagit River.
Thousands of the white birds were in sight along with a few trumpeter swans and snowy owls.
The geese fly in loose "V'' formations that break up into family groups of three — two parents and an offspring — as they glide to a landing. They spend most of their time foraging in muddy fields.
The birds honk a bit and occasionally flap their wings. Occasionally a bald eagle scares them into the air in a dramatic beating of their wings and loud honking.
The snow geese usually settle back down in the same field within just a few minutes.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
