Snowy Wasatch Mountains plus a Canada Goose
The first bird that I could positively identify seeing for 2022 was a Canada Goose flying away from my local pond yesterday morning. I didn’t get a photo of it because I saw it as I opened my living room blinds yesterday morning so I thought I would share some Canada Goose photos that I took prior to New Year’s Day 2022.
New Year’s Day 2018 – Canada Goose close up
Now I know some people don’t like Canada Geese very much but I happen to enjoy them because they aren’t camera shy and they are beautiful. I spent much of my childhood and early adult life where I did not see Canada Geese. Between living in Europe and Hawaii where Canada Geese are not native there were a number of years where I didn’t see these geese at all. They aren’t all that common in Florida either and I spent more than 6 years of my life living there.
Note: Some Canada Geese were introduced in Europe as early as the 17th century but some have reached there naturally. I never once saw a Canada Goose while living there.
Canada Goose flying in to land at an urban pond
So I still get excited when I see Canada Geese. Whether they are in flight…
Staring Canada Goose
Or practically in my face I can’t resist photographing them. I don’t drive by them without taking a few photos of them either when I am out in the field. I know that other people drive right past them because they are common birds but that is not who I am.
Canada Goose skimming across water after landing on a pond
I also love hearing Canada Geese call as they take off and when they are flying overhead high in the sky.
I am not disappointed at all that the first bird I saw in 2022 was a Canada Goose. I appreciate the mental snapshot I have of it flying past my neighbor’s tree as it flew through the sky.
The first raptor I saw in 2022 was an immature Cooper’s Hawk that landed in a tree over my Jeep as I was busy scraping snow and ice from it. The Cooper’s took off after some doves and flew about four feet right over my head. That was a thrill and a half!
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Canada Geese photos plus facts and information about this species.
Canada Geese are among the most wonderful, most beautiful birds in the world. They are extremely loyal to each other and to their families.
They form life-long friendships. They are graceful, courageous, and very communicative. Thank you for the beautiful photos!
I love Canda Geese as well. Their call is the Call of the Wild. My first raptor of the year was the Steller’s Sea Eagle. You would love to photograph it, Mia, I’m sure. I wish you could be here to see it.
Happy New Year from Maine. I hope you get more snow soon.
I see Canada geese among the Egyptian geese in St. James’ Park and Hyde Park when I visit family in London. They are uncommon, but not rare. Thanks for the pics!
Beautiful shots. Your first raptor of the year was special too.
Wonderful first sighting of the year. I’m a fan of Canada Geese and they have become plentiful year-round residents down here. On my way to my last teaching job, I’d pass a park filled with them — made my morning every day!
What a great way to wake up. Many people here consider them a nuisance (and our horrible municipality even steepsided the park ponds here to discourage them from nesting near and pooping on trails) but I love them esp your hybrid and staring shots.
Lovely. I especially enjoy the landing shot.
Great shots!
Great pictures. We have thousands and thousands of geese here in the winter. I love watching them fly and land and interact. Fascinating.