I like the long vertical rows. Flying geese always showcase better in a long, continuous line.
I also love your colors. I love that background. It's just gorgeous.
That will be so charming when it's done -- it's charming now.
Oh, I'm still kind of new at quilting, but as long as those paper-pieced flying geese aren't sewn onto anything, I'd keep the paper on. I would take it off right before I sewed it onto another piece.
You know what I paper piece with? Dollar Store gift tissue paper. You don't stretch the stitching all out ripping that paper off.