Ross’s Geese (Chen rossii) in Flight photos by Larry Jordan (click photos for full sized images)
A few weeks ago I took a ride up to the California/Oregon border to visit the Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Complex. You can read my posts on two of these refuges over at the Wildlife Conservation Stamp website. This state wildlife area is just south of the town of Klamath Falls, Oregon, and is a prime staging area in the late winter and early spring for migrating Ross’s, Snow, and White-fronted Geese.
Currently, about 95 percent of all Ross’s Geese nest in the Queen Maud Gulf Migratory Bird Sanctuary in the central Canadian Arctic and the main wintering area for them is the California Central Valley1.
It was late afternoon and I was heading back to California after driving around Upper Klamath Lake which still had so much snow on the ground most of the roads into the lake were impassible for me. I saw the sign for the wildlife area on highway 97 and turned in.
I’m glad that I did because there were hundreds of acres of agricultural fields where the Ross’s Geese were foraging with Greater White-fronted Geese and a few Snow Geese.
There were huge flocks, hundreds and hundreds of Ross’s Geese, flying in to take part in this feeding frenzy before the sun went down.
This one seemed to be giving direction to the huge flocks as they approached.
Of course I shot some video to share all the sights and sounds of this impressive spectacle.
They were fun to watch as they occasionally looked skyward for predators as they vocalized and ate, until a Bald Eagle flew overhead, rather low to the ground and that was all it took. The geese took off nearly in unison and moved off to another field to fill their bellies.
For more great bird photos check out The Bird D’pot and Wild Bird Wednesday, then head over to the Wildlife Conservation Stamp website and like us on Facebook!
References: 1Birds of North America Online
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Now, why do I not see these? Or at least I haven’t yet…..the habitat/range map shows they’re none-breeding residents for us here on the Gulf Coast, but I sure haven’t seen any. I guess it would help if I went out into the open fields/farming country. Seems I always go to the shore. That might explain it.
Loved all these fantastic images. They’re so pretty. And in flight they look so wonderfully graceful.
Glad you got the chance to photograph these graceful birds. Impressive indeed! Looks like they do not come here at all. 🙁
love those honks! these are beautiful geese! love the ‘director’ shot!
Great photos. Amazing to see so many birds together like that.
So love the sounds the geese make. Still quite a few of them here in the Sacramento Valley but all to soon they will be gone and on their way north for the summer. Thanks for reminding me that Klamath can be amazing in the spring too.
Cool shots of the geese, Larry! Always a nice treat to see these large flocks.
Lovely photos and videos.
Nice to see!
Hey, Larry, thanks for the great encouragement. I live close (about 5 miles) to the Sepulveda Dam Wildlife Preserve, and I can only identify pelicans, ducks, egrets, gulls, etc. But I was surprised to see white pelicans, as what the lady hiker said. I will try to go with the walks, and hopefully would be able to squeeze in with my hunt for wildflowers. Thanks again!
P.S. We are scheduled to go to Santa Cruz Islands next month for a hike, hopefully lots to birds and wildflowers.
Awesome shots and video Larry.
Wonderful set of pictures – big flocks of birds like this are always something special to watch.
Cheers and thanks for linking to WBW.
Stewart M – Melbourne
Nice captures!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
Great series.
Beautiful shots of the large flocks of Ross’s Geese Larry. There certainly are gorgeous with their white feathers and black tipped wings. Thanks for sharing your video.
Larry, great post! I enjoyed the video. Beautiful birds, and lots of ’em!
On the land, or in the sky, all of the Geese are marvelous!!!
I’m going to have to visit there one day, your post and the images have made me drool!
I agree with Mia … I hope to get there soon, as well. I haven’t seen Ross’s Geese since I left California. Such a treat to view them here in their splendor.
Great pics of amazing birds!
We see a few Snow Geese in Connecticut but nothing like that-wow! Great photos and video too! I backtracked one of your articles that shows the difference between Ross’s Geese and Snow Geese.
Hopefully I’ll pay closer attention next time I see a Snow Goose just in case.