Yesterday I desperately needed a bird break so I went down to my local pond. While I was there I photographed Canada Geese and American Coots in falling snow.

Canada Geese and American Coots in falling snow, Salt Lake County, UtahCanada Geese and American Coots in falling snow – Nikon D500, tripod mounted, f9, 1/640, ISO 1000, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

Earlier in the morning, the snow was falling more heavily, but I was stuck on a phone call that seemed like it was going to last all day. I had really wanted to be at the pond when the snowflakes were larger and fluffier.

But a bird break is a bird break, and the snow was still falling when I focused on three Canada Geese and two American Coots. It didn’t matter to me that the light was gloomy, that it was cold, and that snowflakes were falling on my face.

I needed to be with birds.

Canada Goose in falling snow, Salt Lake County, UtahCanada Goose in falling snow – Nikon D500, tripod mounted, f9, 1/400, ISO 1000, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

Standing at the edge of the pond, I noticed a few geese that were closer and focused on this single bird. Through my viewfinder, it was difficult to see how much of the falling snow would be visible in the image. I think there was just enough snow to show up against the water that reflected the heavy, gray clouds overhead.

I was only at the pond with the birds for about twenty minutes. Those twenty minutes did me, my body and mind, good. Nature soothes and so do the birds I find.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Canada Geese photos plus facts and information about this species.