I was setting up my team's cross country race at Nipomo Park for tomorrow's big race, tying ribbons to bushes in the outback sandy section in the scrub, when I heard a strange noise coming from the heavens. I looked up into the clouds and incoming fog... nothing. Just a blinding whiteness and a cacophony of sound. I had no bins, so to avoid feeling totally helpless I grabbed my cell phone and pointed it upwards to video the sight. Approximately 106 "things" flew out of the whiteness in a massive "v" overhead and swung off to the east. I immediately thought... cranes. Sounded like Pixley to me! But to be sure I played Canada goose... nope. Sandhill Crane... sounds likely. Greater white-fronted goose... not according to iBird Pro.
I sent the video to Jamie Chavez and Brad Schram and they both suggested GW Goose. I will differ to them. Especially since they heard reports of a huge GW Goose migration today. I gotta say, when 106 flying somethings are all making noise... well, good luck!
Thanks to the veterans for helping me sort this one out. It was a spectacular and surreal sight. Especially for Nipomo.
