Here is a Sept 29 update – Dave Cesari ,who is a frequent and wonderful contributor to the TGO Photo Club web site answered the question I posed yesterday. Scroll down to see my question.

Dave’s answer:  Jim, I’m responding to your question on the blog. Canada Geese migrate in family groups the leading birds are the adults with the young trailing along behind. The larger groups you see occur when several family groups gather at favored spots. They are still led by a smart older gander. The desision to land or not are made by the experienced leader. Sometimes you will see apparent disagreements among the flock. Some birds will split off and not follow the leader. Then again they may rejoin the flock and follow the leader down. The leaders seem to know if a landing spot is safe or not. They will circle and circle before commiting to land. They fly in the V formation because the following birds gain lift from the wing tip vortex coming of the leading birds. Often you will see the leader drop back and the second in line lead. The leader does not get any lift so it has to work harder. Hope this answers your question. I have spent many hours watching flocks of geese. Dave

In process study – When I have time, I will try to work with the perspective of the near in goose by changing his neck to make his head go further back and I will work with the impact of background sky changes – I will try to add strength to their destination by making the electric pole at the barn more prominate – All of this cause I want the viewer’s brain to see a third dimension on a two dimension photo.

FLYING IN FORMATION!  I have an interesting question.

But first a little background:

….……1

….2………..3

….……………….4

If a flight consists of four aircraft (or maybe 4 Canadian Geese) the formation could look like the 4 finger formation shown above. The flight leader is #1, the element leader is #3. Their wingmen are #2 and #4, respectively.

In general, it’s the flight and element leader’s jobs to do the tactics parts of the mission.

The wingmen are there to be an extension of the element leader’s senses and firepower. As wingmen, your primary tasks are to follow your leader, watch his back and watch the surrounding area while the leaders are dealing with radar/sensors.  Navigation and looking at the radar are not your prime concerns.

As, the wingman, If your leader deviates from the flight plan, you follow him. Tell him about the change to make sure he hasn’t missed a turn, but stay on him no matter what.

Here is my question.  Do you think the geese have an agreement on responsibility like the military aircraft do?  You know, when they are searching for food for the night and for a place to rest before the next day’s flight to the south and warmer weather.

E-mail your thoughts to me.

Is your answer Yes of No?

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