Mid-air collision (Canadian Geese)

I went down to the river to shoot pictures of the osprey and there were some Canadian Geese on the water and on the rocks . One goose decided to take off, and apparently startled another one.

Next

Well, this DG server will not let me load more than two, so I will be back (maybe) and try again.

Looking forward to the rest of the pics.

Hope you'll get to add more photos Dave-please don't give up! These two are wonderful!

Sorry but you will have to wait until tonight. It may be worth it though. I am up in Maryland for the day and the pictures are on my home computer. The one goose keeps flying toward me and bangs right into another, causing it to fall into the water and then be swept down the rapids. Everything turns out OK in the end but some of the pictures are pretty good.

On another subject. My female bluebird has been missing for at least three days and is apparently gone for good. I haven't taken down the nest box with her eggs in it yet but yesterday about noon I removed the tape I had put over the hole in the other nest box and the male noticed it right a way. Almost immediately the male went to it and a little while later started singing, apparently looking for a new mate. Here is a picture of him in action. I hope it displays OK.

This message was edited Apr 14, 2011 1:40 PM

well, first I giggled about the collision description, and now I'm sad about mother bluebird.

Aww poor guy! I know he'll get a mate real soon.

Aww, Dave. It's so sad to hear your mom is gone. I do hope dad will find a new mate soon. Love his photo-he's a handsome guy.

He is a fine looking male Dave. Is your yard light all the time. His colors seem so "royal". I have a lot of trees in my area and my photos show filtered lighting.

Dave, I'm saddened about the missing BB mama. I'm camping out and looking forward to more pics. on the Geese in action as well as for news how Papa survives his loss.

OK I am finally home. Delayed by a fender-bender. No one hurt, thankfully, but my previously unscratched MkZ now has some serious scratches. In fact, the car is about 6 inches shorter than before. The thing that made me the maddest was that the 19 year old driving the SUV that rear-ended me was reading a book! (in stop and go traffic, no less)

Well back to the river. I hope DG will be kind to me tonight. Let's start with this one:

This message was edited Apr 15, 2011 5:22 AM

At about this point he is getting close to the other goose

In fact, you can see number two in this shot. Looks like they will miss each other. Right?

I think they are dangerously close together. Not sure where Number two's head is. He may have jerked it back instinctively.

Righties! ;))

Not sure but I think one goose is hidden behind the other in this shot.

In any case, here they are starting to separate. One flies on and one starts down.

I posted the same picture twice here. No way I can insert the proper one. Sorry. Another limitation on our ability to edit.

This message was edited Apr 15, 2011 5:32 AM

Next shot.

Hey! Watch where you're going, Bud!!

Into the drink!

white water ahead

Take a deep breath

...Hold it

"Up periscope"


This is the last shot.

That was quite an adventure. Did you see him fly away out of the rapids?

Bravo! One fabulous series! Oh Dave, this is the next best thing beside being right there witnessing the birds in chaotic flights! Thank you for bringing these to DG for all to mesmerize about.

Holy wow, Batman!!! That was something else! Thanks for sharing that.

Igot more than 100 shots all together. Here are a couple more as he came out of the rapids

He didn't fly away, but he did swim to calmer water.

Maybe making the other goose was gone? LOL

Where he climbed up on a rock. Maybe he needed to catch his breath. Yes, the other goose did fly away.

This message was edited Apr 15, 2011 12:02 AM

Incredible shots.

Excellent action shots Dave! Thanks so much!

Beautiful series of shots, Dave. You're a good photographer.

Karen

Ah I returned to enjoy the series once more. Dave, I meant to say, I'm so glad no one got hurt on the fender-bender on the way back home last night. Reading while driving? Then cell phone, texting and even watching T.V. while driving all so dangerous. Wished the young woman learns her lesson and be more careful from now on.

I hope so too. She was very shook up and concerned that we might be hurt. She said she was bored with the stop and go traffic. I was not very polite to her. I was so mad, all I could think to say was "Don't you realize driving is a full time job?"

Good on you. Her family and loved ones would be thanking you by now for telling her like it is.

I stopped driving and pulled over for a picture of this 'retiring athlete' whose intention of 'I'm sitting this one out.' is read all over it. lol.

Great action shots Dave!