There are several varities of the Goose.  The one more familiar to most is the Canada Goose, with dark coloring and a unique white "beard."  Another common goose is the solid white Snow Goose.  The Blue Goose is considered by some experts to be a sub-specie of the Snow Goose.  The Blue Goose is solid white except for a blue head and neck.

 

The Blue Goose spends the summer nesting on Baffin Island in northern Canada between Hudson Bay and Greenland.  There, the Blue Goose mates for life and has a gaggle of Goslings.  With the approach of Autumn, the Blue Goose heads south along the eastern shore of Hudson Bay and James Bay and across the Ontario "Shield."  Yes, you can officially label the Blue Goose a "snowbird." 

 

The Blue Goose arrives in the United States near Sault Saint Marie.  They then generally follow Lake Michigan, the Chicago River, to the Illinois River and then the Mighty Mississippi to spent the winter feasting in the lusciois rice fields of the Louisiana bayous.

 

The Blue Goose flies high and sure.  They fly in a "V" formation, taking advantage of "drafting" off the air displacement of the Gander ahead. Each Gander takes it's turn leading the formation, with its fellow Ganders honking encouragement to their leader.  Upon tiring, the lead Gander drops back into the formation and another Gander takes up the lead.

 

The care for it's fellow Gander never waivers. If a Gander gets sick or is shot by a hunter, another Gander will accompany the fallen Gander and attend to that Gander until it's well enough to continue or until the accompaning Gander has determed that the fallen Gander has taken it last long flight to feast in the luscious rice fields of the Home Nest above.  The Gander or Ganders then continue their journey by joining another passing flight of Geese.