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Stop Over Prior To A Long Flight

By JIM NIGRO

It was 7:10 a.m. this morning when the high-pitched honking was audible several moments before they came into view. Finally, they appeared, coming out of the northeast, each group nothing more than a dark slit in the overcast gray. It was one of those vast throngs of Canada’s that spread across the sky. Along the southern edge of the flock were smaller fowl, their wingbeats much faster than that of the geese. They were ducks, and the scene reminded me of a squadron of fighters accompanying much larger bombers.

Despite the size of the flock, they were flying too low to be migrating. I’m guessing they came from the Sandwash, only a couple miles distant. The flock on the Cedar Street quarry has more than doubled in the past month.

They’ve been staging for weeks now. Huge flocks of geese, Canada’s making their stopover on local waterways and impoundments. In recent weeks they’ve been dropping into freshly cut corn fields in vast numbers. Great rafts of honkers sitting on Lake Ontario have been taking advantage of the spillage in the massive grain fields in Orleans County. There seems to be a great number of geese still on hand throughout the region, indicative of the weather. I hope the trend continues.   

Amy Davis

Great pics & stories as always!

Looks like a "quacker convention"!!

When I see them overhead, I say "please don't go!"

I also hope the "trend" continues! An early and long winter last year, and overall a crappy summer. A mild winter would be a blessing. Thanks Jim

Nov 28, 2009, 10:38pm Permalink
JIM NIGRO

Thanks, Buck. There's been a great number of geese on hand this year, providing many photo opportunities. I was fortunate to have put a few honkers in the freezer as well.

Thanks, Amy...overall its been a great autumn!

Nov 29, 2009, 5:38pm Permalink
Buck Strang

Yeah there has been and still is lot of geese, we watched them in Batavia Friday coming from the east over valu plaza think they were landing in harveated corn fields on South main, or the creek. Thanks again would like to read your deer hunting stories. Good to have you back writing local again.

Nov 29, 2009, 9:00pm Permalink
Amy Davis

I like the deer pics & stories too. Bring 'em on Jimmy!

Looks like the really nice autumn we've been having may come to an end as there is "the s word" in the forcast.

Thanks again Jim, for bringing some "natural" beauty to "The Batavian".

Dec 1, 2009, 12:18am Permalink
JIM NIGRO

Buck & Amy, again,thanks for your comments. Have always appreciated your support, as well as Howard for providing us with a forum. As for the subject matter, I need to give thanks to the One who created it all. Whether it be landscape, a nightime sky, or critters bearing fur,fins or feathers, I can't help but see the handprint of God.

Thanks again!

Dec 1, 2009, 9:51am Permalink

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