Canada Geese Fight at Miner’s Cove

The Canada Geese fight at Miner’s Cove began without warning. Loud calls and beating wings quickly broke the calm. Water flew as the two birds faced each other.

A Canada Geese Fight Breaks the Calm

I was visiting Miner’s Cove at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma. I had been photographing a Pied-billed Grebe eating a crayfish nearby.

My attention suddenly shifted when a commotion started between two Canada Geese. Two pairs were in the area, but these two birds became the center of the action.

They called loudly while flapping their wings against the water. The sound carried across the cove and immediately caught my attention. Their movements created plenty of splashing as the confrontation unfolded.

Canada Geese can become territorial, especially when defending mates or nesting areas. However, I could not know exactly what triggered this particular encounter. The dispute may have involved space, a mate, or another nearby resource.

Whatever caused it, neither bird appeared willing to back away at first. Their forceful movements showed how quickly a calm wildlife scene can change.

Photographing the Fast-Moving Fight

I photographed the geese from inside my pickup. A beanbag rested across the open window and supported my camera and lens.

That setup allowed me to react without leaving the truck. It also helped steady the long lens while I followed the fast action on the water. Staying inside gave the birds room and kept me at a safe distance.

The shutter speed of 1/3200 second helped freeze the wing movement and flying water. I used a 500mm focal length to frame the confrontation from inside the pickup.

Photography Data

• Location: Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, Oklahoma
• Date and time: March 10, 2023, at 9:58 a.m.
• Camera: Canon EOS R7
• Lens: Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM
• Exposure mode: Manual
• Aperture: f/8
• Shutter speed: 1/3200 second
• ISO: 2000, Auto ISO
• Focal length: 500mm
• Support: Beanbag over the open pickup window

A Sudden Change at Miner’s Cove

One moment, I was watching a small grebe handle a crayfish. The next moment, two large geese commanded all my attention.

Encounters like this keep wildlife photography unpredictable. I never know when a quiet morning will suddenly produce an intense display of natural behavior.