Canada Geese are so common that most people no longer take pictures of them. I'm not one of them. At the marsh (here we go again) reside two geese that have adopted me. They have not been named other than Karen started calling them Joe's kids. This pair have laid claim to me to the point where they occasionally think they have to defend me and that can be embarrassing.
As you'll see in the pictures, they almost live in my lap when I'm there. They are so determined as they swim across the pond when I'm in their sight.
They trust me entirely and when I rub them under their chins they make a murmuring sound, almost like a cat purring.
When I'm photographing other birds and they're still there, they will often fall asleep in my company.
On Wednesday I was with them and their new clutch from this year. I was playing with the goslings, who make delightful peeping sounds, while mom was checking my pocket for a treat. Believe me they rarely allow a human to do that with their kids.
When a Canada attacks, it's wings will be extended and it's beak wide open, making a hissing sound. The bird will bite but that's not what does the damage. It will be a strike from a wing.
Ask a farmer who uses domestic geese for an early warning system.
Canadas are no different.
In this Essay you'll see my kids up close an personal and in the air. Can't say the 'air' ones are mine. I doubt it.
Anyway you'll also see a humorous couple where I wound up between two of my friends.
Raquel, (Natalie named her) the Racoon, was coming out of the brush for a snack. One of my kids saw her and went into attack mode. I was in between. Had they met, the Racoon would have made short work of the goose but not before I got a few marks on me.
I intentionally threw some peanuts a few feet away and Raquel went after them. I then grabbed my kid by the lower mandible and settled him down. He lowered his wings and became quite calm. I could hear Moira, who took these pictures saying, "And how are you going to handle this, Dr. Doolittle?"
Believe me, I had no idea at the time but I do know what my kids can tolerate.

Here then is the 'Essay'.

Canada Geese are so common that most people no longer take pictures of them. I'm not one of them. At the marsh (here we go again) reside two geese that have adopted me. They have not been named other than Karen started calling them Joe's kids. This pair have laid claim to me to the point where they occasionally think they have to defend me and that can be embarrassing.
As you'll see in the pictures, they almost live in my lap when I'm there. They are so determined as they swim across the pond when I'm in their sight.
They trust me entirely and when I rub them under their chins they make a murmuring sound, almost like a cat purring.
When I'm photographing other birds and they're still there, they will often fall asleep in my company.
On Wednesday I was with them and their new clutch from this year. I was playing with the goslings, who make delightful peeping sounds, while mom was checking my pocket for a treat. Believe me they rarely allow a human to do that with their kids.
When a Canada attacks, it's wings will be extended and it's beak wide open, making a hissing sound. The bird will bite but that's not what does the damage. It will be a strike from a wing.
Ask a farmer who uses domestic geese for an early warning system.
Canadas are no different.
In this Essay you'll see my kids up close an personal and in the air. Can't say the 'air' ones are mine. I doubt it.
Anyway you'll also see a humorous couple where I wound up between two of my friends.
Raquel, (Natalie named her) the Racoon, was coming out of the brush for a snack. One of my kids saw her and went into attack mode. I was in between. Had they met, the Racoon would have made short work of the goose but not before I got a few marks on me.
I intentionally threw some peanuts a few feet away and Raquel went after them. I then grabbed my kid by the lower mandible and settled him down. He lowered his wings and became quite calm. I could hear Moira, who took these pictures saying, "And how are you going to handle this, Dr. Doolittle?"
Believe me, I had no idea at the time but I do know what my kids can tolerate.

Here then is the 'Essay'.