Critter Alley

Critter Alley

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Father and Mother Goose

We have a small lake behind our house which from time to time harbors various types of water fowl. These include Canadian geese, mallards, and herons. Although they aren't waterfowl, a few months ago a couple of eagles even stopped by for a brief fishing trip.

None are so cute, though, as the spring time brood of babies. This year we haven't seen any ducklings, but several families of geese have been strolling the area.












































As you can see, my camera doesn't provide the best shots in photojournalism. If I only had a super duper fancy telephoto lens, these pictures would be ever so much clearer and closer. But what can I say? You work with what you've got.


Anyway, it's typical for either Father or Mother Goose to stand watch while the rest of the family feeds. Both parents are ferocious in their guard duties. They've been known to chase people who come near their babies without hesitation, hissing and biting all the way. I've been told that a bite from a goose feels a lot like being clamped by a pair of pliers. Ouch!

So would either Indy or Bogey consider trespassing on Goose territory?



















"Only if you go first, Mom!"

My heroes.

19 comments:

Deborah said...

They are the cutest little geese!
xxoo
Deborah

Two French Bulldogs said...

The real mother goose!
Benny & Lily

Lisa Ricard Claro said...

They're so cute! We have geese show up in random places around here, like the grocery store parking lot. One day a mama was crossing the road with her babies. She had traffic stopped for half a mile in both directions. LOL

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

I spent 20-25 minutes last week watching them -

Good thing I was on my tether!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

Cat and DOG Chat With Caren said...

We have so many Canadian geese where we live because there is a lake on our complex.
So many people don't like them (because of their poop) but I just adore them!
I love when they take their little ones across the road where we live...they just take their sweet old time waddling by. They are adorable!

Linda O'Connell said...

Those goslings are so cute and their parents so protective. We have robins nesting on our patio and they are definitely territorial right now.

Donna Volkenannt said...

Adorable. I've seen lots of geese and goslings wandering around our neck of the woods, too.

Donna V.

Pet Lover said...

Quite an eye catching Family, Love it.

Ryker said...

I JUST LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR WITH ALL THE BABIES AROUND. THE KINDERGARTEN CLASS HAS BABY CHICKS. I CAN'T BLAME YOUR CREW FOR BEING CAUTIOUS, I GOT CHASED BY A GOOSE ONCE AND IT WAS SCARY!
~S

the booker man said...

miss pat,

those little goosey woosey babies are totally adorable! but, yuppers, mama says you are right about the mama 'n daddy bein' way protective like. my mama was at an outdoor wedding when she was 6, and she tried to go up to some baby geese, and the mama goose bit her finger! she still remembers how much it hurt like 50 gazillion years later!!

*woof*
the booker man

CreekHiker / HollysFolly said...

I got attacked by geese once. I was on location and saw a bunch in a lake nearby and took over some leftover food. When I ran out...they turned on me! Yes, that bite hurts! I avoid all geese now!

Anonymous said...

Yep, one of Mom's first memories of visiting the grandparents' ranch was when their flock of geese chased her all over the yard. She's not sure but she thinks she screamed really loud until someone bigger came and picked her up so the geese couldn't get her ;) Ah memories ;D

Loved the photos of the geese family. Aren't animals great?!!! :D

Waggin at ya,
Roo

Carrie, with Tanner and Oliver said...

Honk!

Thanks for stopping by http://www.allthingsdogblog.com to introduce yourself. I just dropped by to give you an award. Congratulations! You can grab the award badge from the post. Check it out here: http://www.allthingsdogblog.com/2011/05/versatile-blogger-award-for-me.html

Chloe and Cecil said...

We have two families of geese living at the lake by our house but Mom keeps forgetting to take the flashy box on her walks.
We are your newest followers.

♥Mona + Prissy + Angel Weenie♥ said...

My angel sister Samantha loved ducks. She would chase them along the creek and them they would chase her back to the other side.
Mommy used to sit for hours watching them.

Blogger still stinks!!

{{{huggies}}}....Mona & Weenie

Julia Williams said...

What a nice place to live! I don't blame the pets for giving the geese a wide berth, however.

Pup Fan said...

Bella licked a goose once. The goose was not thrilled.

Pup Fan said...

Bella licked a goose once. The goose was not thrilled.

Athena said...

baby geese are so cute! I love all birdies!