Saturday, June 11, 2016

ENCOUNTERING A VERY ANNOYED CANADA GOOSE


We were sitting by 'our' pond.  It Is our favorite spot which we go to every time we go to the garden.  We have even been here when there has been snow on the ground, we visit in every season.  It is still and silent usually, apart from the frogs and the birds twittering in the trees.  We sat on the Adirondack chairs, and prepared to enjoy a quiet time before we resumed our walk. 


We saw the pair of geese all the way across the pond, but then forgot about them, until I saw the one walk into the water and start swimming in our direction.  Its mate followed almost immediately.  I lost sight of them and continued to sit quietly, until the noisy pair arrived and were obviously very annoyed at our presence.


  The male came up to me and gave me a stern look.... 


and then a loud hiss....


and pecked at one of my feet.  And there I was thinking that he had just come over to pose nicely for me.  He turned his head in the other direction.


I was very surprised but it took only moments for us to realize that they were protecting their nest, which we hadn't seen because it was almost hidden by the reeds. There were no eggs yet as the nest wasn't completed, but they had obviously staked out their territory. When the penny  dropped we moved on, but not before he had shown us his ire.



I apologized and we vacated the area.  We walked to the other side of the pond.  After being turfed from our favorite spot so unceremoniously....


we found a bench and prepared to enjoy our surroundings once again, far enough away from the nest or so I thought.


Apparently that wasn't good enough.  I watched the two geese get back into the water from where we had been sitting originally.  They swam over to where we were now.  At first they guzzled a few tasty shoots at the water's edge....


and then the male looked up and spotted me sitting on the bench.  I thought, 'uh-oh' and watched as he waddled over and bared his tongue, once again hissing very loudly.  


I decided today wasn't the day to enjoy our favorite spot.  There would be other times, when there weren't any protective parents-to-be watching over their nest.  They had commandeered the whole pond area to rear their brood and we weren't allowed.   We didn't hang around any longer and left without delay.


Did I imagine the look of good riddance as we departed?






I am sharing them with the following.  Thank you Anni and Stewart for two great memes.

Anni at Bird D'Pot
Stewart at Wild Bird Wednesday

31 comments:

  1. they are rude and lack manners

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  2. Hello Denise, the geese can be nasty and I think all the birds can be protective of their babies. Great series of images and post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your weekend!

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  3. I can well understand them wanting to protect the nesting area.
    But I agree they can certainly hiss and let you know can't they! Similar happened to me a while ago now ... but I thought it best to move on

    I do hope your weekend is a good one

    All the best Jan

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  4. That is too funny and so true. They do get territorial! I've never gotten the hiss, but I have seen the wing flapping and head bobbing. I hope you can return to your favorite spot soon. Have a great weekend!

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  5. oh, he was ticked off at your invasion! :)

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  6. Yikes! I don’t think I’ve ever seen a goose’s tongue/beak look quite so menacing. I am glad you two got out of there in one piece. :)

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  7. What a fabulous post! Winner winner! Yes, they are tough big birds!

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  8. Wonderful. Turn this into a children's book and make $$.

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  9. Annoyed indeed! All the signs! The hiss, the tongue sticking out, the curled neck. Awesome photos, Denise!

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  10. i can definitely see the good riddance written on his face. this is hilarious... i know they get upset easily during mateing season.. they put signs up at Jungle Gardens warning that the ducks, geese, flamingos are mating and might get cranky. love every single shot you took, love the chairs sitting there waiting for the next unsuspecting subject

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  11. They're very territorial when they need to be!

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  12. Well, this is good fodder for your blog. Lol.

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  13. What a fine adventure! And your last picture and comment cracked me up!! I don't know how you managed to get those hissing shots while being threatened, but they are priceless! You somehow managed to snap the whole event. The one with his mouth wide open is awesome! When they come up to you and start with the neck curving, well I must say that I RUN! But you braved it out for your followers! What a post, both scary, funny, and touching.

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  14. Belas fotografias.
    Um abraço e um bom fim de semana.

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  15. You have to be impressed at their courage. And wary of their beaks.

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  16. Great story. Canada geese can be very aggressive and downright nasty.

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  17. Well that was you told off and got rid off very swiftly. They crtainly meant business, didn't they?

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  18. Sure is a nasty male goose but it showed he took his responsibility seriously. I was once chased and pecked at. Whenever I see a goose or geese, I will move as far away as possible.

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  19. The geese usually ignore me when I go near but if they turn to face me I know there's a nest somewhere. Can't really blame them for being over-cautious. I think you were lucky to get some lovely photographs.

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  20. Your narration is spot on today Denise!! I was there...I heard the hissing, and felt the little [but threatening] nibbles. Those geese can get a bit 'mean' if need be. And their bites can hurt tremendously. What a wonderful area...I can see why you go there every season.

    Thanks for sharing at I'd Rather B Birdin' this week!! Your participation is always very much appreciated. See you next week I hope!! Fabulous images...and the close ups are terrific.

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  21. Schöne Geschichte und Bilder.

    Gruß
    Noke

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  22. Awesome shots! You were clearly not welcome at the pond.

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  23. Geese are so funny and protective and inscrutable.

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  24. Great series of photos. I guess those geese let you know who owns that pond!

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  25. Well, I guess you've been told! LOL

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  26. Guess he owned the whole pond. Loved your pictures of character.

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  27. This story is hilarious! I didn't realize they would come from across the pond, to defend their nest. Wow. And then you moved, and it still wasn't far enough away to suit them. How funny. Thanks for sharing your photos and story.

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  28. Replies
    1. It was kinda but at the time I wasn't so sure. Last time I had a problem was with a white goose when I was eight years old. He chased me around the lake trying to get the sandwich I was carrying. My mother heard me coming all across the other side :) I was screaming at the top decibels. That goose pecked at my legs all the way.

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