PHOTOGRAPH INFO

I took this photo on Monday afternoon but I was unprepared for it. I only had five shots left on my card and the lens and camera settings were leftover from work I'd been doing that morning.

I saw the geese while driving and immediately pulled over. They didn't move so I spent a few minutes observing how they interacted with one another. I finally reached for the camera and within five seconds the geese were in the air - so I just pointed and hoped for the best because there was no time to think about camera settings.

If I could do it over I'd probably use the same lens but set the camera to ISO 400, aperture f/6.3 and shutter 1/500s. And I'd use an empty card and full batteries, dang it! I was pretty upset after the fifth shot because I knew I missed my chance.

I thought twice about posting this photo but figured my story of ill-preparedness might help another photographer who encounters Greater Snow Geese this winter. :) I hate to see more people kicking themselves over photography.

There's only one population of Greater Snow Geese in the world. They breed in the Arctic and spend winter on the US coast, especially in the Delaware and Chesapeake bays. Their migration is confined to the North American Atlantic flyway, where they (very) occasionally make a stop in the cornfields of Bucks County for a rest.

Camera settings and post-processing: Shot with the Canon EOS 5D and the Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS lens at 200mm, ISO 1000, f/9, shutter 1/250s. Curves adjustments, color balancing.

Thank you for visiting Durham Township!

--Kathleen

I can't believe you were thinking about not posting this, it reminds me of something from the Planet Earth series on Discovery Channel.

There's just...so many!!!

Beautiful, and I love how not all of them have taken off .... it's like a giant wave

An amazing shot!

Beautiful pattern of a magically spontaneous event. "No time to prepare" can be a good thing. The complex shapes in such profusion make me think of those Bev Doolittle style posters with the images of wolves, bears, eagles, blue whales, dolphins, orangutans, and/or other miscellaneous endangered species hidden in the details. I assume there aren't .......are there?......wait,....yes, the negative spaces within the air born geese seem to be dolphins, blues and sea turtles.........and jellyfish.....and an armadillo.....and......

Thanks for the lovely Geese shooting lesson.

This morning I expected to see snow, and found a beautiful surprise in the snow birds. Lucky you to be there at the right moment. Wonderful!

Resounding applause from me Kathleen!

There is no need to apologize for this shot. Such a rare moment that was impossible to predict and probably got you so excited to see. I can imagine the feeling. The heart starts to race as you fumble to get the camera the whole time the excitement is mounting and you are thinking of how you just cannot miss the shot. You did it Kathleen, you got the shot, and it's good.

I have a very sore backside from kicking myself over photography too many times! I have probably missed more great photo ops than I have taken.

It would have been worse for you if you saw this and had no shots left! Most of us have survived for years with "point and shoot" and been happy with the results. Getting back to your roots is not always a bad thing.

Kathleen - great capture! My son and I had been plotting for our geese shots for awhile which I also posted this week - it's so tough to get up under them (and a tad brave!) for that perfect shot of FLIGHT! Nice work!

This really is beautiful. Great shot for a "quick draw".

Kick yourself for this? are you nuts? this is stunning, well done you....I'm begining to wonder if you are perhaps superhuman, Is Durham any where near smallville????

Amazing shot! Such perfect timing.

Good shot and perfect timing here.

"...while driving and immediately pulled over."

words of wisdom :)

the image is too cool for words.

beautiful...stunning...don't kick yourself...

I like the layers in this shot, great!

Amazing. Even when you are forced to "shoot from the hip", you come up with a winner. That's talent. Great job, Kathleen.

beautiful. But it's good to think about what you would have done. I missed a squirrel holding a bag today. I got a couple shots, but they were nowhere near what I wanted, if I'd had the camera out. Besides, it was freezing out!

Very nice. I especially like the light on the snow geese and how they stand out from the dark background. I assume all your years of taking photos prepared you to capture this scene even if the settings weren't what you would have chosen.

Life is like the seasons and Winter is approaching. They have imparted their wisdom, given us their love and are patiently waiting for their time to be free. They are ready to fly, to go to their friends and loved ones that have flown before them. So, don't be sad; smile and say goodbye. Rejoice in their memories and wish them a safe and happy journey.

What an amazing moment!

Despite you feeling unprepared, I think you got a great shot.

I've been silently following your photo-blog for awhile.
Love this shot - the motion..the energy..the pure joy of flight!!! It may have been an afterthought..but sometimes better lucky than good.

beautiful.. I really like this shot!