Tony's Takes Photography

Wildlife, landscape and weather photography

The odd couple – snow goose and pelican hang out

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The odd couple – snow goose and pelican hang out
A snow goose follows an American white pelican through the air. (© Tony’s Takes)

While the images aren’t anything extraordinary, it was kind of a fun thing to see. As I was hanging out at a local pond, I noticed an American white pelican about to land. Following it, a smaller, white bird. This struck me as quite unusual so I continued to track the pair as they circled and landed.

The smaller bird was a snow goose and it seemed to have decided to hang out with the pelican for the day. Snow geese only come to Colorado during migration so it likely soon left for areas north but it was neat to see this odd couple together.

A snow goose follows a pelican to a landing on a pond in Colorado. (© Tony's Takes)
A snow goose follows a pelican to a landing on a pond in Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)

Snow geese migrating through

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Snow geese migrating through
Snow geese in the skies over eastern Colorado as they migrate north. (© Tony’s Takes)

Out for my photo drive Sunday, I saw a huge flock of white birds coming toward me. Training my lens on them, I saw that they were snow geese.

This is the time of year they migrate through Colorado so it wasn’t surprising. There had to have been 80+ of them so it was pretty neat.

Unfortunately they didn’t land where I could see them but I got some nice captures of their formation. They will eventually make their way to the far northern reaches of Canada and Alaska for breeding season.

Snow geese in the skies over eastern Colorado as they migrate north. (© Tony’s Takes)
Snow geese in the skies over eastern Colorado as they migrate north. (© Tony’s Takes)
Snow geese in the skies over eastern Colorado as they migrate north. (© Tony’s Takes)
Snow geese in the skies over eastern Colorado as they migrate north. (© Tony’s Takes)

One of these is not like the others

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A Snow Goose hangs out among a bunch of Canada Geese. (© Tony’s Takes)

Can you pick out the oddball goose? 😉

I happened across a big flock of geese in a field in northern Colorado a few days ago. Normally I wouldn’t pay it any attention as the Canada Geese are so common, and indeed, somewhat overwhelming at times. However, there was one goose in particular that didn’t quite fit with the flock – a Snow Goose.

A Snow Goose hangs out among a bunch of Canada Geese. (© Tony’s Takes)
A Snow Goose hangs out among a bunch of Canada Geese. (© Tony’s Takes)

While we do see these here during migration, most don’t hang around long. Apparently this guy decided he liked the company of the Canadians better than his own kind.

Snow Geese take to the skies of Colorado

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Snow Geese in the skies over Barr Lake State Park in Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
Snow Geese in the skies over Barr Lake State Park in Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)

I don’t know that I have ever seen so many of these gorgeous, white geese as I have this year. Most of the state, save for the southeastern part, only sees them during migration. Unlike the ever-present Canada Goose, these are less common here. In recent weeks I have seen many large groups of them flying overhead and hanging out at area lakes.

Snow Geese in the skies over Barr Lake State Park in Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
Snow Geese in the skies over Barr Lake State Park in Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
Snow Geese in the skies over Barr Lake State Park in Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
Snow Geese in the skies over Barr Lake State Park in Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)

How many geese can you fit into one photo?

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How many geese can you fit into one photo?
Thousands of geese fill the skies over Colorado’s Barr Lake State Park. (© Tony’s Takes)

Alright, here’s your homework for the day: Tell me how many geese are in this image. 😀

During the winter and spring, the Colorado plains are home to an incredible number of Canada Geese. This image captures maybe a quarter of one of a series of groups that came in and landed at Barr Lake State Park this past week.

Most are Canada Geese but you do see some white ones in there which are likely Snow Geese or Ross’s Geese.

That’s a lot of geese!

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Snow Geese don’t spend much time in Colorado, only coming through in the early fall and late winter as they migrate. Last week I was at one of their stopover points, a lake northeast of Denver. They unfortunately kept their distance but that allowed me to capture images showing just how many there were. There had to be thousands of them and they were quite loud.

A massive gathering of Snow Geese at a lack on Colorado's plains as the birds head north for the spring and summer. (© Tony’s Takes)
A massive gathering of Snow Geese at a lack on Colorado’s plains as the birds head north for the spring and summer. (© Tony’s Takes)
A massive gathering of Snow Geese at a lack on Colorado's plains as the birds head north for the spring and summer. (© Tony’s Takes)
A massive gathering of Snow Geese at a lack on Colorado’s plains as the birds head north for the spring and summer. (© Tony’s Takes)
A massive gathering of Snow Geese at a lack on Colorado's plains as the birds head north for the spring and summer. (© Tony’s Takes)
A massive gathering of Snow Geese at a lack on Colorado’s plains as the birds head north for the spring and summer. (© Tony’s Takes)

Migrating Snow Geese join Canada Geese in flight

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Northeast of Denver yesterday I watched huge masses of geese take flight. Wave after wave passed over, many landing in the nearby fields in such huge numbers they darkened the landscape. Most were Canada Geese but interspersed among them were small numbers of Snow Geese that stood out from the more dominant dark birds with their snow white plumage.

Here in Colorado, some Canada Geese are present year-round but during the winter their numbers swell as many migrate here for the colder months. Most locals tend to dismiss them and pay them little attention and oftentimes view them with disdain as they can be overwhelming (especially their poop!).

Snow Geese on the other hand only stop briefly while migrating to and from their summer homes at the farthest north reaches of North America. Few stay in Colorado for any length of time so it is a bit more unusual and fun to see their gorgeous white forms when they fly over.

Snow Geese and Canada Geese in flight. (© Tony’s Takes)
Snow Geese and Canada Geese in flight. (© Tony’s Takes)
Snow Geese and Canada Geese in flight. (© Tony’s Takes)
Snow Geese and Canada Geese in flight. (© Tony’s Takes)