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Goose liftoff        Images © Mark A. Chappell

Tens of thousands of snow and Ross's geese winter at the Bosque del Apache refuge.   They can be seen (and heard) at all times of day, but one of the most traditional things to see is geese roosting in the early morning light along the 'Flight Deck' near the refuge entrance.   The scene can be dramatically colorful, especially when the birds noisily lift off to feed, or flee from an eagle or other predator.   Other mass take-offs (or 'blastoffs') from feeding sites occur during the day.

  • Canon 7D or 1D4,800 mm f5.6 IS lens, 24-105 mm IS zoom, or 70-200 f4 IS zoom (2012, 2013)