On Sunday afternoon, during a lull in a photography session, I took a quick break to have a look around. I thought it might be prudent to use a few minutes in this fashion just in case there was anything else of interest going on nearby. It didn’t take long for me to notice the strange undulations of large flock of white and black birds circling low over a field on the far away horizon.

At this distance it was difficult to ascertain what kind of birds these were, but I could tell that they were unusual, in my experience at least. A quick check of the map showed that there was a road that would take us right by the spot where I judged the birds were landing. We quickly wrapped up what we were doing and headed in the direction of this new subject.

On the way we were treated to the sight of scores of Snow Geese coming in for a landing against a dramatically colored setting sun. Wave after wave of the honk-a-lonking birds arrived, circled, and landed while we watched. Several hundred geese were gathering in an open field for the the night.

As is usual, a few other species of geese are present in the group as well. Also represented in this mix are examples of the superficially similar, but smaller, Ross’s Goose. Additionally, there are several of the more uniformly gray Greater White-fronted Goose in the congregation.

This article documents my first observation of these geese in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. It was quite a sight!

Hundreds of Snow Geese are just barely visible against the sky far in the distance.
Hundreds of Snow Geese are just barely visible against the sky far in the distance.
As we approached, waves and waves Snow Geese arrived on site.
As we approached, waves and waves Snow Geese arrived on site.
Each wave could contain a hundred or more birds.
Each wave could contain a hundred or more birds.
Dark and white adults by the hundreds congregated in this open field.
Dark and white adults by the hundreds congregated in this open field.
There were Snow Geese everywhere you looked!
There were Snow Geese everywhere you looked!
Snow Geese in Seagoville, Texas.
Snow Geese in Seagoville, Texas.
There were too many to count, and more were arriving every minute.
There were too many birds to count, and more were arriving every minute.
Snow Geese can either be mostly white, or mostly dark.  This grouping represents a collection of both color morphs, with both adult and juvenile birds represented.
Snow Geese can either be mostly white, or mostly dark. This grouping represents a collection of both color morphs. At least two other species of geese are present as well.
The attraction of this field was strong for the Snow Geese, and a constant stream arrived with the setting sun.
The attraction of this field was strong for the Snow Geese, and a constant stream arrived with the setting sun.
Snow Geese at high altitude.
Snow Geese at high altitude.
Snow Geese in Dallas County.
Snow Geese in Dallas County.
A group of dark morph Snow Geese coming in for a landing.
A group of Greater White-fronted Goose coming in for a landing.
These birds were beautiful against the dramatic sunset.
These birds were beautiful against the dramatic sunset.

Observation Details

CountyDallas
CitySeagoville
DateFeb 10, 2013
Time of DayAfternoon
TemperatureCool (50-69°F/10-21°C)
WeatherClear
HabitatAgricultural-Pasture
Type of BehaviorCongregating
GenderMixed
MaturityMixed
ObserverChris Jackson

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