Air Traffic Control

It is quite the sight to see a large flock of Canada geese come in for a landing in a small body of water--one that is already filled with their fellow birds.

But when DW, some friends, and I hiked through Morris Island Conservation Area, last weekend, that's exactly what we saw. And it appeared to be a highly organized action.

Several squadrons of the birds flew over the inner bay, an offshoot of the Ottawa River, the flock forming patterns and taking various courses to avoid flying into one another. Then, as a signal to one another, each group would take turns going in for a landing.

It wasn't just a feat of aerial maneuverability high above but also skill in landing in the water without striking another goose.

We watched several flocks perform these landing moves, as though they had one or more air traffic controllers signalling them when it was their turn. There were even some go-arounds as the flock decided to abort their landing and try again.

All the landings were successful. No casualties.

Happy Friday!