I photographed this snow goose landing in a field at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma. It was January 17, 2023, and it was the best snow goose day I had seen all winter.
Numbers had been low up to that point. Then this day happened, and the sky finally looked like winter again.
Wildlife Notes
A snow goose landing, up close
This moment was all about the landing. Wings cupped, feet down, and that last-second flare as the bird drops into the field. I like landing shots because they show control and timing. You get shape in the wings, and you can feel the speed even in a still frame.
I was at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge when I made this photo. If you have never watched snow geese drop into a field, it is worth the time. The flock energy is loud and constant. Birds circle, commit, and then fold in fast.
Photography Notes
What I used
I shot this from the refuge with my Canon EOS R7 and an RF 800mm F11 IS STM lens.
These were my settings at the time of the photo:
- Date/Time: January 17, 2023 at 11:45 a.m.
- Mode: Manual
- Aperture: f/11
- Shutter speed: 1/2000
- ISO: 2000 (Auto)
Why those settings worked
For a snow goose landing, shutter speed is the priority. Wings and feet move fast during that final flare. 1/2000 is a solid starting point when the light allows it.
At 800mm, small movements show up fast too. I keep my handling tight and stay ready for the last second, because the best wing position can happen in a blink.
Closing
I’m glad I was there on the day the snow geese finally showed up in real numbers. Winter can feel slow when the birds are scarce, so a day like this resets my patience in a hurry.
Related Post: Sunrise and Snow Geese Video