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I just saw a family of geese leaving the hospital. I had been visiting patients. I think they were grazing. I doubt they got inside.
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I found a large group of Geese and got really close for pictures. There were also many ducks, vultures and a few ibis.
Prior to Dorian the island geese were gathering in larger groups for feeding and preening. Today as the storm approaches they have not hunkered down and are still moving around. The wind is not to strong yet for these great birds.
So traffic was stalled. A pair of geese with six goslings and a pair with 2 goslings and a pair with 5 goslings were crossing the street Survival is much better this year in my area. I love watching the goslings eat, eat, eat. That is all they do and within 4-5 months they are as large as their parents.
Yearling geese are pairing off and soon will be building their first nest. Older geese are flying around in pairs and soon rebuilding their nest. Younger yearlings and much older geese are hanging out together. Before we know it there will be goslings running around again.
I saw a few geese up close and personal this week. Most were just sitting on the ground. They looked so fat. Did you know that geese put on weight before they migrate? It takes that extra fat to energize them for the long trips that can be up to 700 miles in a single day.
Geese have long memories much like elephants. Earlier this summer after eggs were hatched and goslings were growing a family with seven goslings disappeared overnight. A coyote was spotted near their birth/sleeping area and also near their regular feeding area. The geese don’t visit the feeding area anymore. Then a an alligator shows up at the feeding area. I did witness a few geese fly in but they landed on the ground and not onto the water. Here it is five months later and still no geese but the alligator is still hanging around except when the temperature drops. If the gator leaves again, yes he was has been around before and is bigger now, maybe my geese friends will return in time for building nest and laying eggs and raising goslings again.
I understand migratory birds are taking advantage of the hurricane winds and heading south for the winter. Like in a hurry since they are drafting.
In my driving job I get to cross the Amelia River sometimes many times in a day. The last two weeks I have also crossed over with beautiful sunrises and glorious sunsets. Today I spotted about 100 geese feeding in a low man-made area and that too brought a big smile to my face. There are just not many near where I live this year due to coyotes and other predators.
Driving to Ocala yesterday Teresa saw a flock of geese in a field of grass. It was tall grass and only their heads were visible in the field.
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I'm a wanna be writer but until recently only dabbled with personal stories and illustrations. My true joy is my relationship with God and family. Then comes the Christian music and technology. I am retired and occasionally work part time but when not too occupied I'm writing a book that I call Goose Freedom. Archives
April 2024
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