April 12, 2009 - Searching for Greater White-fronted Geese

About a week ago I traveled to western Minnesota to photograph Greater White-fronted Geese. I saw large flocks of them flying around but, like all game species, they are very cautious about getting too close to humans. So, I felt fortunate to get even this one photo of them on the ground. They are a gray/brown color and they have pink/orange legs and bill. The white patch on their face gives them their name. One population of these geese spends the winter in Louisiana and eastern Texas. On this trip, I met a nature photographer who lives in western Minnesota. He told me that 10 years ago they rarely saw these geese. But, he said that more White-fronts have been spending the winter in Louisiana and that is just far enough east so that they now pass through Minnesota on their spring trip to the Arctic Tundra. He said these birds travel south in the fall through the Missouri flyway so they aren’t seen in Minnesota then.

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Hunters sometimes call these birds “Specklebellies.” You can see why in this photo. The amount and pattern of the dark bars on the belly seems to vary for each bird. During migration they travel in mixed flocks with Snow Geese and occasionally with Canada Geese.

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I also saw large flocks of Snow Geese. They are on their way to the Tundra as well. With their snow-white bodies and black wing tips they are a beautiful sight. There is also a dark color phase of the Snow Goose. In fact, they used to be considered a separate species and were called Blue Geese. Now both of color phases are considered to be the same species. Snow Geese have become so numerous that they are in danger of destroying the vegetation, which is their food source, on their breeding grounds.

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I was stopped along a road in Stevens County and watching a large group of geese that were resting along the banks of a river. Suddenly, I heard something behind me that sounded like thunder. I turned around and saw this huge flock of geese lifting off from behind a low hill. I was hearing their honking and the sound of their wings. I was never able to see what had disturbed them and made them take to the air. The sound and sight of these birds was an awesome experience.

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Even though spring is on its way here in Minnesota, I was reminded by this scene that winter hasn’t given up yet. This is the Straight River where it flows under Hubbard County Road 71 just south of Park Rapids, MN.

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