The last time we were at the park was in January at the beginning of this year. For our recent visit we picked the perfect day as the temperature was hot but there was no humidity. It was also easy to get a parking spot. There were several spaces available.
Babies! Unfortunately, I couldn't get a closer shot as they were way too far out. I have been reading some interesting facts about them. Goslings have been known to follow just about anything that moves, from dogs to humans, mistaking them for their mother. The impressionable young use this skill to mimic the adults, learning how to swim just 24 hours after hatching. At only one day old they can dive 30 to 40 feet under water.
Parent geese teach their young how to fly when the goslings are two to three months old. The goslings will stay with their parents for the first year of their life and even migrate with the adults that year.
As the goslings continue to grow and become more independent of their parents, they may group together with other young geese. These groups, called "gang broods," can consist of up to 100 goslings.
I have always enjoyed being around the Canada goose and, just like the squirrels in our back yard, find them very entertaining. It's important to give them a respectful distance, even more so at this time of the year.
Canada geese aren't afraid to face a threat. If a parent goose feels a threat to their nest or goslings, they may attack. Stretching out their neck while hissing and honking loudly, serves as a warning to predators, along with biting and slapping with their wings.
We found these two later. They were rather sandy and I assumed that they had been ducking their heads under the water to feed. There were no goslings with them. Maybe later! An interesting thing I had not read before was that once a year, when the weather warms up, geese molt their feathers. During this 6-week period geese are unable to fly, leaving them vulnerable to predators including coyotes, foxes and raccoons. Water plays an important role in the safety of geese. They'll retreat into water if their warnings don't scare predators away.
More to follow later from our walk.
I did not know about their molting. And how interesting about how deep the babies can dive at only a day old!! I have had one do the neck thing and hiss at me more than once. And I likely deserved it.
ReplyDeleteThank you Ginny, had a couple of the neck things too, once because I didn't realize we were sitting so close to a nest which was obscured by long, tall reeds :)
DeleteNature is fantastic, beautiful place to walk with all these amazing creatures around you.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know about geese that they change feathers and for a period of 6 weeks they are so vulnerable!
Nice photos Denise, like we are there.
It certainly is, thank you Katerina :) This was all news to me also. One of the many reasons I enjoy blogging, I learn as I go along.
DeleteWhat cuties the goslings are - and hooray for protective parents.
ReplyDeleteThey certainly are and hooray indeed :)
DeleteThey seem to move in unison and synchronised fashion
ReplyDeleteThey do don't they? :)
DeleteI was astonished to learn that goslings can dive so deeply at such a tender age. I'd love to see a 'gang brood'
ReplyDeleteI was very surprised at those facts also :)
DeleteInteresting read Denise. Lovely photos too.
ReplyDeleteThank you Margaret, so glad you enjoyed :)
DeleteAw, how cute the little goslings are. I never knew about them molting and not being able to fly. Very interesting.
ReplyDeleteThank you Ann, I always enjoy learning these interesting facts :)
DeleteIt sounds like you had a lovely day at the park observing the Canada geese! It's fascinating to learn about their behaviors and the intricacies of their family dynamics. Being respectful of their space is definitely important, especially during nesting season. Looking forward to hearing more about your walk!
ReplyDeleteThank you Melody, we certainly did :) Beautifully worded, I couldn't agree more.
DeleteGreat series on the geese, the goslings are adorable. Take care, have a great day!
ReplyDeleteThank you Eileen, much appreciated and I wish you the same :)
DeleteIf you are really interested in the way that goslings imprint on humans (and others) read the pioneering studies by Konrad Lorenz.
ReplyDeleteI very much appreciate the name David, and will definitely look into this. Thank you :)
DeleteAwww...the babies are so stinking Cute!
ReplyDeletehugs
Donna
Aren't they? Just love those little darlings :) Sending hugs!
DeleteThe information about geese is interesting. I like the thought that geese are protective of their young and can retreat into water to get away from predators.
ReplyDeleteHappy you thought so Linda, thank you :) I like that thought also.
Deletethere is much today i did not know and they properly named them gangs because they are gangs and mean and will attack. domestic geese are a big no to me, been there done the attack by geese.. those babies are adorable and the parents are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI think that's why I've heard of farms have numerous guard geese. I remember being chased all around a pond by a goose when I was six years old. Fortunately I haven't been since, just a few warnings here and there. More often than not I keep my distance, unless they are on the path that is the only way out and that has happened a few times. Then I get the stare :)
DeleteWe have several trails with lakes near us. Often we hear the geese honking as they fly over they house from one lake to another
ReplyDeleteHugs Cecilia
How lovely Cecilia, that's one of my favorite sights and sounds :)
DeleteDid not know the info about the babies being able to dive that deep and the molting, thanks. However, as much as I love them, they are a nuisance. In the city where I use to live there are areas overrun with these geese, there are literary hundreds of them roaming the streets and parks. One reason, I believe is due to the milder winters we are experiencing these past few years. There is still grass and open water for them to feed during those months, so no need to migrate. The geese from further north also make their winters here for the same reason and don't leave . They nest in parking lots, roof tops, anywhere and everywhere. They stop traffic and their droppings are everywhere, making walking dangerous.
ReplyDeleteNo culling takes place but, nature has its way.
That's all very interesting. I'm happy to say we don't get too much of a nuisance, but I have heard how they can be. When we see them at the parks there is usually so much land around them that they can be accommodated very easily, especially at Huntley Meadows. However, I know of at least one garden we go to where they are discouraged.
DeleteI knew it would not be long before I saw a goslings! They have such interesting family units.
ReplyDeleteThey certainly do :)
DeleteI don't think that the geese are taught to fly. It's in their DNA. It's the same with migration. They automatically know what to do. Having said that , geese are very interesting. If you are close to them they give you that stare that says what do you want here?
ReplyDeleteI have actually wondered about that Red, you make very good points. Thanks for sharing that :)
DeleteMy hubby was chased off getting too close to a nesting goose- we learned.
ReplyDeleteYes, they can be very aggressive if you get too close :0
DeleteI didn't realize during molting they were vulnerable. Darling little goslings you captured! We unfortunately once were attacked by a goose on a trail that we walk frequently. I'm sure that a nest must have been close by. It was quite scary to say the least. Thank you for all your great information as always, my friend.
ReplyDeleteThank you Martha Ellen and you are very welcome :) They can be a bit scary to say the least!
DeleteI enjoy your interesting info on goslings - I 've always enjoyed watching geese. I knew folks up in Michigan that hate them. They land in a flock on a parking lot and leave it with full of poo. I'm glad I don't have to clean said parking lot, but I like them.
ReplyDeleteGreat, thank you Carol, that's much appreciated :) That's not so nice I agree.
DeleteSuch cute babies! You can see how fluffy they are.
ReplyDeleteYes, little bundles of fluff :) Thanks Pamela!
DeleteAhh...it's always so much fun to spot the babies!
ReplyDeleteIt is indeed, thank you Ellen :)
DeleteI love to watch Canada geese, too, but did not know half the stuff you told.
ReplyDeleteThank you Rose, they are very watchable and I learned a lot too :)
DeleteYou are very welcome Linda, glad you enjoyed it :) I cropped the photo you mentioned from one of the others. I liked that too. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteInteresting. I never had a problem with aggressive Canada geese, but some of the domestic ones were downright hateful.
ReplyDeleteGood to know Linda :) Those guard dog geese were domestic white geese, as was the one who chased me as a child.
DeleteWe always have a population of Canada Geese in and by the river. Most have become quite accustomed to getting handouts from humans along the riverbank. However with a lot of construction now going on along the river bank there is less space for people to walk and feed them. This week, I did see the first set of 6 goslings with their parents.
ReplyDeleteHow nice to see the goslings. I hope to see more on our next trip to a park or garden :)
DeleteI see the goslings every day now but I never knew (or looked up) any of these facts! I'm hoping to catch mine swimming today and waiting for Mother Goose's family to pop1
ReplyDeleteWonderful Jeanie, I look forward to your photos :)
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