Posted by Sean Watson on November 29, 2007 at 1:03 PM
I'm not sure if folks on the forum know about this place, so I thought I'd share.
Basically, a large number of snow geese winter of Fir Island in the Skagit River delta. The WDFW has a reserve (map) where they can often be seen easily. I'm not really certain what dates they start to arrive or leave (my vague recollection is middle of November until late February). Inge and I were up there last weekend and saw quite a few (photo, 1200x801, 750kb).
They have lots of room to move around out there, so a long lens is advised. However, if you're patient and not terribly unlucky, you should be able to get some nice detail at 200mm. The few times I've been there at sunset, the birds seem to migrate towards the road at sunset which can make for some nice light if you're willing to bump your ISO up.
There is an eagle's nest on the west side of the road to the parking circle where I've seen a pair of eagles fairly often. I've also seen hawks, great blue heron, and tundra swans. On clear days, you can see the Olympics over Skagit Bay and Whidbey Island to the west and southwest as well as Mount Baker to the northeast.
Sean
Posted by Craig Sullivan on November 29, 2007 at 5:07 PM
Sean, great shot of the flock in flight. I saw the geese there on Oct. 30 near the reserve. I have many shots over the years from the oval parking lot on the left side of your map. Here is a sample. Another from near there. The geese are mostly found near the Fir Island Rd. between the reserve and Conway to the east.
The birds fly off to the west at or after sunset to overnight on the waters of skagit bay. Then they return at sunrise. The flock numbers between 5000 and 10,000 birds.
Posted by Erik Lundh on November 29, 2007 at 6:31 PM
Wow,
What a cool shot. have you posted this before? I know you said you were there this weekend. It looks awful familair. I'm going to have to make it there one of these days.
Posted by dan elster on November 30, 2007 at 1:18 AM
Very, very nice image. A bit far from my neck of the woods...but someday.
Wow, that is a frame full of geese!! Beautiful shot, Sean.
Posted by Harald Rust on November 30, 2007 at 5:18 PM
Sean,
Great capture of the snow geese in flight. The sharp detail really makes the shot for me.
Harald
Posted by Sean Watson on November 30, 2007 at 10:34 PM
I was more trying to give a location report than post something for critique. I just wanted to back up my claim that there were a lot of birds, but thanks for the complements.
Craig -- thanks for filling in the details. You’ve got a couple of great shots yourself.
Erik -- I took this last Sunday. Someone (even maybe me) could’ve posted a similar image like this here. Yeah, you should make it up there. I was going to lend your brother some long glass and prove to him that he can take bird shots. (Not sure if I was going to take him here or to Nisqually.) Maybe you could join him?
Dan -- yup, not a day trip for you. If you're ever in the neighborhood, it may be worth a stop by.
Catherine -- that's the effect I was going for ;) Glad it worked for you.
Harald -- I lucked out and they were all in a fairly shallow formation, so there was possible to get stuff in focus at F/4.
Posted by John Williams on November 30, 2007 at 10:37 PM
I think you could have titled this "popcorn." I like the warm light on the geese. Now, if you can get the same shot with a colorful background sky, that would be over the top.
Discussion
7 repliesBasically, a large number of snow geese winter of Fir Island in the Skagit River delta. The WDFW has a reserve (map) where they can often be seen easily. I'm not really certain what dates they start to arrive or leave (my vague recollection is middle of November until late February). Inge and I were up there last weekend and saw quite a few (photo, 1200x801, 750kb).
They have lots of room to move around out there, so a long lens is advised. However, if you're patient and not terribly unlucky, you should be able to get some nice detail at 200mm. The few times I've been there at sunset, the birds seem to migrate towards the road at sunset which can make for some nice light if you're willing to bump your ISO up.
There is an eagle's nest on the west side of the road to the parking circle where I've seen a pair of eagles fairly often. I've also seen hawks, great blue heron, and tundra swans. On clear days, you can see the Olympics over Skagit Bay and Whidbey Island to the west and southwest as well as Mount Baker to the northeast.
Sean
The birds fly off to the west at or after sunset to overnight on the waters of skagit bay. Then they return at sunrise. The flock numbers between 5000 and 10,000 birds.
What a cool shot. have you posted this before? I know you said you were there this weekend. It looks awful familair. I'm going to have to make it there one of these days.
Great capture of the snow geese in flight. The sharp detail really makes the shot for me.
Harald
Craig -- thanks for filling in the details. You’ve got a couple of great shots yourself.
Erik -- I took this last Sunday. Someone (even maybe me) could’ve posted a similar image like this here. Yeah, you should make it up there. I was going to lend your brother some long glass and prove to him that he can take bird shots. (Not sure if I was going to take him here or to Nisqually.) Maybe you could join him?
Dan -- yup, not a day trip for you. If you're ever in the neighborhood, it may be worth a stop by.
Catherine -- that's the effect I was going for ;) Glad it worked for you.
Harald -- I lucked out and they were all in a fairly shallow formation, so there was possible to get stuff in focus at F/4.