A long horizontal lends itself to a dramatic landscape, creating a sweeping feeling which enhances the action of the geese landing. Geese are wonderfully comical and awkward when they land. They're wobbling with their wings, their feet are out and it's almost as if they are out of control until they get to the water and suddenly, they are very graceful.
This painting is like a "frame by frame" shot of one goose landing on the river. But with a group, you can see the whole sequence coming in onto the water. The reflection underneath the geese was a real challenge.
