Thursday, March 11, 2010

They're Back! More Snow Geese

On Thursday, with 68 degree weather and beautiful billowing clouds blowing across a blue sky, Thompson Lake was wide open. Ducks and Coots were not as plentiful as they were just a few days ago, and we weren't seeing many geese flying over. However, as we approached the far southern end of the lake, we could see a long line of white about a mile out on the water. We turned around at the National Wildlife Refuge and stopped at the pull-off directly across from the line of white. Before I could get out of the car, the Snow Geese making up this long line started rising from the water. Scott and I estimate about 50,000 geese in this flock. It was fun to watch them rise and fall, rearranging themselves in the water, but not leaving.

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A few lines of geese flew off from the flock.

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A few Coots came in for a landing near the edge of the lake.

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Looking North from Pumphouse Road pull-off towards the boat ramp, you can see the down power lines.

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The power poles along the former Pump House Road that had been held up by the ice have fallen under water.

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Along Prairie Road, new power poles bring power to The Nature Conservancy.

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