The Wave!

Al Hansen

Well-known member
Some people like to think that "they" started The Wave, when they began that undulating sequence in large stadiums like where the Yanks play or maybe in the Super Dome while watching the Saints play. Well, I firmly believe that The Wave got its origin tens of thousands of years ago by snow geese and people only tried to emulate them.
Al

Bosque del Apache three days ago.

I double checked. The first picture was taken at 47mm and all the rest the setting was at 30mm. That will show you how close the geese were to me. The resting group started maybe only 20 feet from where I was seated and then stretched out 20,000 geese worth!

IMG_6489.jpg


IMG_6494.jpg


IMG_6498.jpg


IMG_6500.jpg


IMG_6502.jpg


IMG_6504.jpg


IMG_6506.jpg


IMG_6512.jpg


IMG_6514.jpg


IMG_6516.jpg


The focal length on this next shot is 30mm. None of the shots were cropped by the way. I was using my 18-135mm lens. This will show you how close these geese were to me.

IMG_6520.jpg


IMG_6525.jpg


IMG_5551.jpg


By the time this flock of around 20,000 snows and Ross' geese flew over, the guy on my right had his hat hit by a goose dropping and the gal to my left got laced twice on her sweatshirt. A guy down about twenty feet had his 600mm lens get bombed. Fortunately for me, I was missed but I can't say the same about my white truck. It is no longer very white looking.
The sight of this happening right over the top of me leaves me with inadequate adjectives. The din/raucous roar of wings along with the deafening noise of all of those geese talking at once was enough to leave your jaw hanging and for sure "goose" bumps up and down your arms. It was a pure high with adrenalin pumping like crazy. You just have to witness this to know what I am trying to say.
 
Last edited:
Tis quite a sight there Al! In the 60's& 70's I hunted by DeSoto Bend NWF that hosted several hundred thousand snows each fall. When they left to feed each morning ya could hear them from a couple miles away! If they passed over head the din was very loud, & if they were within range, at the sound of shooting they ALL took a dump! Sounded like hailhitting the trees& ground. Now their migration path centers west of here a couple hunderd miles, I kinda miss seeing those masses of birds.
Dennis
 
Al

The second to last shot is one of the best waterfowling photographs I have ever seen. Just amazing, thanks for sharing. Us carvers need sources of inspiration you know...
 
Last edited:
Al
Thanks for the images,i read all of your posts, great pictures and scenery i do not recall seeing you with many snow geese in the bag,how come?
My son retires from the navy next year and is moving near clovis what are the waterfowling opportunities in that area?
Bill.
 
Great pics as always. I saw some of those birds today. I also saw a Golden Eagle about 10 miles south of Socorro feeding on a road kill deer on the I-25 median - very look look too.

T
 
Tis quite a sight there Al! In the 60's& 70's I hunted by DeSoto Bend NWF that hosted several hundred thousand snows each fall. When they left to feed each morning ya could hear them from a couple miles away! If they passed over head the din was very loud, & if they were within range, at the sound of shooting they ALL took a dump! Sounded like hailhitting the trees& ground. Now their migration path centers west of here a couple hunderd miles, I kinda miss seeing those masses of birds.
Dennis

That had to be a sight that you never forget. Had to laugh, Dennis, when you talked about, "Sounded like hailhitting the trees& ground" Made me remember being hunkered down in a cornfield in Big Stone county, MN, and having a huge flock of mallards fly right over the top of us---on the deck. We got nailed!
Al
 
Al

The second to last shot is one of the best waterfowling photographs I have ever seen. Just amazing, thanks for sharing. Us carvers need sources of inspiration you know...

Thanks allot, Geoff.
Al
 
Al; I hope you had a rain coat on for protection.I can emagine the amount of droppings these birds can unload..hee he.e

Cas, "Knock on wood" I have never been bombed yet! And yes, they can unload an unbelievable amount of the rich stuff!
Al
 
Al
Thanks for the images,i read all of your posts, great pictures and scenery i do not recall seeing you with many snow geese in the bag,how come?
My son retires from the navy next year and is moving near clovis what are the waterfowling opportunities in that area?
Bill.

I think I have taken five so far this year. I hunt ducks but if they fly over and are close enough for me to take a whack at them, I will.

PB220096.jpg


PC070008.jpg


PC070018-1.jpg
 
Back
Top