Guest Post by Rob:Twice a year we're given a chance to participate (in a small way) in the migration cycles of our feathered friends. This weekend we drove up to Freezeout Lake (120 miles NE of Missoula) to be part of the spring migration of the Snow Geese and Trumpeter Swans.
They first amass in northern California from Mexico and the southwestern United States and then fly non-stop (18 hours) to Freezeout Lake where they rest for four or five days and then continue their journeys. The flock splits up here heading for Siberia, Alaska or the Canadian Arctic.
Click on pictures to see birds up close
This year, their numbers were estimated at 350,000.
What a beautiful sight they made rising off the lake at dawn and heading for breakfast in the barley fields surrounding the lake. They return after feeding and spend the rest of the day on the lake. They repeat the process in the evening, returning after dark. The weather was perfect and we enjoyed watching them, especially when the flock, for no apparent reason, would all lift off to about 30 feet and then settle back down. We were close enough to hear the wingbeats as they flew off. It sounded like thunder! They honk incessantly and we wondered how they ever managed to get any rest! I slept fine as their sounds soothed me to sleep. Jenn and Tiika seemed to sleep well also, despite being outside in 25 degree temperature. Love those sleeping bags!In addition to our bird friends, we met some nice folks around the lake who ended up being torn between watching the birds and watching Tiika! Our Tiika girl makes friends wherever she goes. I wish we were taking her to New Zealand with us as I'm sure she would open a lot of doors.
We headed home after the second dinner flight happy and peaceful. As you can tell by the picture, Tiika was enthralled!
