DELTA - Those who have watched snow geese fly in and out of Gunnison Bend Reservoir call it one of the greatest spectacles of nature.

You can see that spectacle Feb. 29, and March 1 and 2, at the Eleventh Annual Snow Goose Festival. The festival will be held at and near the reservoir, just west of Delta. Admission is free.

As many as 10,000 snow geese have been at the reservoir during past festivals. Except for the black tips on their wings, snow geese are pure white.

"Spotting scopes will be available so you can get a close look at the geese. We'll also be available to answer any questions you have," says Bob Walters, Watchable Wildlife coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources.

Free wildlife seminars, and arts and crafts and photography exhibits, will also be offered on Saturday, March 1.

The best times to view

The areas where you can see the geese vary according to the time of the day. "Early in the morning, the geese are usually feeding in fields that surround the reservoir. They usually stay in the fields until about 10:30 a.m. Then they take off and fly back to the reservoir," Walters says.

"They usually spend the next few hours on the reservoir. Then, between about 4 to 6 p.m., they take off again and fly out to the fields."

DWR biologists will watch which fields the geese fly to. If you arrive after the geese have left the reservoir, the biologists will direct you to the fields where the geese are.

Festival tips

• Use binoculars or a spotting scope to view the geese. If you get too close to the geese, you could scare them away.
• If you pull off the road to view the geese, pull as far off the road as you can and watch for cars.
• The weather could be cold or wet. Make sure to wear the proper clothes.

For more information about the 2008 Snow Goose Festival call Walters at (801) 538-4771; the Division of Wildlife Resources' Southern Region office at (435) 865-6100; or the Delta Area Chamber of Commerce at (435) 864-4316.