REST STOP: As it approached Powell River, a young snow goose flying with a large flock from Kamchatka, Russia, decided it needed a rest.
Exhausted, it had made the flight here without stopping. The goose saw the green lawns and dropped down to feed, then decided to stay awhile. While the others flew on, it was not bothered with the people right beside it even though it had never encountered humans before.
An observer phoned Powell River Orphaned Wildlife Society (PROWLS) and was told that the youngster had likely hatched in June and made the migration when it was just four months old. Now all it needed was some time to feed in peace and rest. After wandering and sampling the grass, it tucked its head under its wing and promptly fell asleep, seemingly unconcerned to be in brand new surroundings without its flock.
With each flock that flew over, other young ones were dropping out, as well as a few adults. Soon they will hear the calls of the snow geese overhead and lift off to join a new flock and finish their migration. Seeking the mouths of big rivers, flocks will stop at George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary in Delta or carry on to Washington State and Oregon. We are fortunate to have close encounters with beautiful youngsters.
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