The first Canada geese returning
after a long winter
from the south still found most of the water surface in Pinawa
covered by ice on April 21, 1996.
It is estimated that there are about 90 million geese in North America at present, more than at the time of the Columbus's arrival. This is due to many conservation projects that succeeded to protect enough places where they can stop and
rest during
their migrations. One such place is the Oak Hammock Marsh north of
Winnipeg that lies on one of the major southward
fall migration routes. On the left a mixed flock of Snow geese and Canada
geese are feeding on Oct. 14 1996 on the so called "lure crops"
planted
on several hundred hectares around the Marsh to provide food for the geese
and to keep them away from the surrounding farms.
Deer graze on the first spring grass growing just a few centimeters
from the window of my apartment in Pinawa (April 28, 1996).
These are wild deer who are continually checking on any suspicious
noises and movements around them while grazing, ready to take off when
they perceive any danger. This one was checking on my movements behind
the window as I was trying to find the best position for taking
her picture.
