Wish I'd had my camera with me. . .again
Thursday, June 21, 2007 at 10:25AM I really do need to start taking my camera with me wherever I go.
This morning I was out running errands and had to stop my car (for the second time this week!) for a Canada Goose couple out walking with their offspring. This morning I counted 22 junior goslings sandwiched between their parents as they crossed the street in perfect file. They were in no hurry; I had plenty of time to count. . .
Kim from Hiraeth
From the Wikipedia article:
During the second year of their lives, Canada Geese find themselves a mate. Most couples stay together all of their lives. If one is killed, the other may find a new mate. The female lays 4-8 eggs and both parents protect the nest while the eggs incubate, but the female spends more time at the nest than the male. Known egg predators include Arctic Foxes, Red Foxes, all large gulls, Common Raven, American Crows and bears. During this incubation period, the adults lose their flight feathers, so that they cannot fly until after their eggs hatch. This stage lasts for 25-28 days.
Adult geese are often seen leading their goslings in a line, usually with one parent at the front, and the other at the back of the "parade". While protecting their goslings, parents often violently chase away nearby creatures, from small blackbirds to other geese, to humans that approach, after warning them by giving off a hissing sound. Most of the species that prey on eggs will also take a gosling, if there's an opportunity. However, geese may form groups of a number of goslings and a few adults, called crèches. The offspring enter the fledging stage anytime from 6 to 9 weeks of age. The young do not leave their parents until after the spring migration, when they return to their birthplace.
Apparently my little "parade" was part of a creche. I thought 22 eggs seemed like an awful lot!
Reader Comments (4)
Oh my goodness! 22! What a sight to see.
Wish I could have seen that. Amy would have loved it too!
I had no idea they had so many! Must have been really fun to see!!
:)
We have lots of Canada Geese around here, and this time of year the goslings are getting their feathers. Your description makes me think of "Make Way for Ducklings!"