Montana Bed and Breakfast: River's Bend Lodge

Landing Canadian Geese

It has been in below zero -2* to -20* for the last 3 days the only thing moving much around here are the Canadian Geese.   I guess the water is warmer then the air, for sure as it is not freezing over yet.   The  only thing I have seen them do that indicated they were aware of the coldness is to gather in a considerably large flock  on a sand bar across the river from the Lodge.   Some  of the geese would  fly up river half a mile or so (usually not out of sight of the flock) and let the current carry them back to the sandbar where they would rejoin the rest of the flock. 

Yesterday I watched them returning from feeding in the fields as they came back to the water they landed in groups of 4 or 5  close to the sand bar usually up river but not always.  I remember thinking it resembled a busy airport and I  wondered who was the traffic controler, because he was doing a great job! One group would touch down and the next one would be on final wings in full flap position. 

It was wonderful to watch and listen too.    Even earily in the morning there is just not any sound greater to wake up to than the Canadian Honkers’ trumpet!

The fog and moister from the river did not seem to hinder anything; Iwas wondering how do the geese navigate in the fog and is icing ever a problem?   The visibility must have been down to about 100 feet with a ceiling of about 50 t0 75 feet during most of the day. 

I have seen no Birds of Prey for almost 3 weeks now.  I think they must have given up and went further south for the winter.