Return of the Geese

Great numbers of Canada geese like to overwinter in the farm fields around Corvallis and at the nearby wildlife sanctuary, but during the summer, they fly off to reestablish their Canadian citizenship. Now over the last couple of weeks, they've started returning -- at first in small low-flying groups. At first their calls seemed tentative, as though they were asking each other if they were sure this was really the place and would we be okay here. Maybe they were just tired after the long journey. Now they're settling in and flying higher on their daily rounds. They're still not all here yet (sort of like me).