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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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The island geese are flying again. Many have disappeared the last few months from predators including many, many goslings while others have simply moved on to safer areas.
At the feeding area one goose stands and pats his feet several times in the loose ground and then resumes eating the cracked corn he uncovered. Over and over again.
Three geese in the water were honking and suddenly took off to land at the feeding area only 30 yards away. One was too close to the building and landed on top. He walked along the edge trying to figure out what to do. He could see his friends down below but how was this possible. He had never perched on a tree and this new height with feet on the ground was a new experience. He waited until the grounders took flight and he did the same.
It is mid-May and I've seen less geese and goslings so far this year. They should be molting soon, and not able to fly, so watch those roadways. They can't reach the walk signal at crosswalks.
So there are two pair of geese in the water fussing at each other just because a nest has been built too close to their own. They each want their private space. (Thanks Charlie Lewis for the observation.)
I may have found the name of the white goose that has been hanging tight with my Canada Geese for a few weeks now. This goose breeds in northern Canada, mainly in the Queen Maud Gulf Migratory Bird Sanctuary, and winters much further south in the continent in the southern United States and occasionally northern Mexico. The plumage of this species is white except for black wing tips. It is similar in appearance to a white-phase snow goose but approximately 40% smaller. Other differences from the snow goose are that the bill is smaller in proportion to its body and lacks "black lips". The dark phase is extremely rare. The Ross's goose is a rare vagrant to Western Europe, but it is commonly kept in wildfowl collections and so the true frequency of wild birds is hard to ascertain. Escaped or feral specimens are encountered frequently, usually in the company of other feral geese such as Canada Geese. Or this is a Snow Goose that has lost his way. Th described features match the Snow Goose more than Ross's Goose. What do you think?
I went to check on my goose friends this morning and discovered a white goose. He/she is not a Canada goose in the color and size and he/she never honked either. When the two accompanying Canada geese took flight he/she did too. A few minutes later they did a fly by and had added a fourth to the group. The island geese are pairing off now. And building/rebuilding nest. The yearlings, parents and other family members are on their own until we have goslings running about.
So our latest goose friend in peril remains so. The nylon cord is still wrapped around his leg but at least the stick that was attached is gone. And another goose has a broken leg. He really struggles standing up but can take off flying from the ground or water just fine. Both are getting nourishment so they will survive.
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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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