I could be anywhere. I choose this place, these companions

Flocks of geese seem to me the epitome of freedom, loudly declaring their independence as they fly into open spaces. So...why are they here? Storm Lake in December? Is it because they were born here? Because their leader settled here? Are they stuck? Are they actually here by any choice at all? It that what all the chatter is about?

Why am I here? How long will I stay?

THE SONG OF THE GEESE

their song was glorious

Today I went hunting for geese to shoot with the "good" camera. I walked purposefully west along the lakeshore where a small gaggle had been yesterday. No luck. Returning home, I dropped off the camera, grabbed another scarf against the wind and walked east along the lake. A mile later I saw the first 100. But I carried on, around the curve, and there they were, singing to the sky at least 300 of them.

As you may remind me, "Silly goose, don't you know they always show up when you leave the camera at home?"

Race back home, return this time in the car... to the park and... the song of the geese....so loud it holds one in place, with no thought to the work at hand.

This one's for you, Mr. H. The same lake background layer as the image two posts below, with the geese isolated and superimposed.