Heading out to run a few errands this morning, I encountered a small flock of cackling geese on our property. Significantly smaller, less noisy and far less aggressive than their larger cousins (Canada geese), cackling geese breed on the Arctic tundra of Alaska and Canada and are represented by four subspecies.
Unlike many of the Canadas, they are purely winter residents along the Front Range urban corridor and will soon head back to the Arctic. On the other hand, they often mingle with their noisy cousins and are usually seen grazing with them on open grasslands or resting on one of our many lakes.
Perhaps this morning's crew needed a bit of solitude and I am pleased that they chose the relative seclusion of our farm. They seemed unbothered by my presence and are welcome to hang out as long as they wish. So far from their homeland, their visit is an honor.
