A gaggle of snow geese takes off from a field along U.S. 65 between Tallulah and Lake Providence Wednesday afternoon, apparently headed toward the Gulf Coast area. The geese nest on the Arctic tundra but spend their winters along the Gulf Coast states, the Atlantic Coast and in the West. Their population numbers have increased so much in recent years that there is concern that they will damage their Arctic tundra nesting grounds. As a result, many hunting restrictions have been lifted. (The Vicksburg Post/PAT SHANNAHAN)