You hardly need to go out of your way to hear the honking of Canada geese, which has become a familiar, if not always welcome, sound in suburban parks and golf courses across the U.S.. But if you want to rediscover the beauty of the bird in its natural habitat, a visit to the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge will surely do the trick.

In early spring, you will find migrant geese getting ready to return north to breeding grounds in Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as many year-round residents. The flocks travel in a recognizable V-formation and can cover up to 1,500 miles in a day.

Above: Canada goose.