Predating Raptor~

Panics the snow geese (Click/tap to enlarge),

driving them high in the sky,

into protective formation,

over The Salton Sea in Southern California.

When the threat passes,

the geese return,

to feast and float.

Smart Snow Birds,

head south for the winter,

to loaf in the sun,

and play in the sea.

They only fly north when the sun comes out!

Cheers to you from the sun loving snow geese at The Salton Sea~

Note: I am guessing the predating raptor is a Harrier Hawk, but welcome correction if wrong.


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218 thoughts on “Predating Raptor~

  1. Cindy – this is an excellent example of a community that supports and sustains each other. You captured the community in peril and how they, by working together in large flocks, avoided disaster, relying on their strong social bonds and defensive tactics to keep their community safe. Another life lesson here, Cindy!!! Fabulous captures.

  2. Hard to tell the difference of hawks. I thought I saw a falcon the other day and show the image to a ‘Birder’ who told me it was a hawk of some kind. Some of the images in a bird book are so close – the difference of an ‘eyebrow’ or tail feather.

    We do the best we can. Lovely birds. I’ve seen smaller birds chase the hawks to distract them from their nesting areas. Nature is wonderful to watch.

    1. Hi Jules! So good to hear from you! You are right, a bird ID book, compared to birds you see flying in the sky, is the “difference between an eyebrow or tail feather.” So aptly put. Falcons are the fastest living creatures on the planet. I see them often at The Holler, but they fly faster than I can think. Take good care dear Jules დ

      1. I have several bird books. I like the one that also shows dark profiles in flight. One good thing about the net is being able to bring up results quickly between two similar birds 🙂

      1. I’m glad you saw that, too. I immediately thought of the classic children’s book, Swimmy. If I write a post on your birds and relate them to Swimmy, is that okay? May I use the photo? Of course you will be in the post.

  3. Very nice. The only places where I have such concentrations of birds (flamingoes) were in Kenya. Lake Hannington and Nakuru…
    Amazing to see that in your neck of the woods…
    Cheers Cindy

  4. Cindy – what utterly marvelous images of this amazing experience. I still vividly remember the first (and only) time I was lucky enough to see this sort of goose blizzard while visiting the refuge near Klamath Falls. A never to be forgotten occasion for sure.
    Seems we’ve both been blessed! 🙏🥰

  5. Your paintings are a real feast for the eyes – a lively explosion of colors and shapes that transport me to another world. It’s fascinating how you manage to capture the beauty of everyday life so skillfully and bring it to life in your pictures.

  6. Wow, I did not know about their protective formation. Not only do you take wonderful photos, Cindy, but you educate and make me smile with your poetry.

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