Liftoff
Every winter millions of snow geese pass through California's Central Valley on the Pacific Flyway as they make their way from the northern frozen lands to their wintering grounds in the south. At the shoulders of the day, dawn and dusk, it is not unusual to see thousands of these birds lift off into flight all at once. It is a breathtaking moment to witness - the cacophony of the honking of thousands of geese as they rise in unison from the water to take flight. I took this image late in the afternoon, when the soft light of the setting sun accentuated the blue water and golden leaves of the trees, providing a nice counterpoint to the white and black birds. I particularly appreciate the bands of contrasting color which run horizontally through the image. The tree on the right provides both an anchor and a frame to this magical scene.