Watching the Canada Goose and Learning

[Cornfield]

There is a retention pond in the industrial park near the gym, where a goose made a nest away from the shore in a built-up mud pile.  We are fascinated with watching this goose nest as we pass by daily, and now the babies have hatched.  Either there are two nests or she hatched many babies which I have not seen, as I haven't been driving to the gym this past couple of weeks.

It is interesting to see that the mother addressed safety issues on the building of her nest, and has a nice place for the little ones to swim and and grow.  They will be gone soon, so I hope to see them before it happens.  What a pleasure to witness this event of nature as it is supposed to happen! 

We also have six baby birds nesting in the small tank that hold the filling valve for the underground propane tank in the back yard.  They are amazing to view, and will be gone soon, through the little hole in the tank lid.  I am thinking about whether or not I should leave the lid off for easier flight, but am allowing the mother bird her boundaries.
I figure she know what she is doing, and we don't have a cat right now, so they are pretty safe in the tank.

Most people, animals, and fowl have the common sense and skills to propagate and protect their young.  We can learn much from their habits.

A little nest out over the water sounds perfect for me!  Then we fly when we are ready.

Cornfield

[Lapin]

Corn, each year I enjoy observing the cycle of the Canada geese nesting and the hatchlings.  The fathers are great parents and very protective of the mothers.  They should be around through August before the fall migration.  Right now, I am enjoying observing the 3 new eggs laid by one of the local osprey pairs. They are amazing birds.  Again, both parents are active in the raising of the chicks. 

[Cornfield]

Daughter said there were two geese, so I was correct in thinking the other one probably was the male.  We are so accustomed to large animals that breed but do not mate with one animal, so it is exciting for us to watch these geese. 

What excites us is the way she keeps her babies safe by building the nest a little away from the edge of the pond.

Cornfield

[Lapin]

The gander is usually a little larger and he acts as the protector of his family.  Both parents are very involved in the rearing of the chicks.

With opreys, both parents sit on the eggs.  They take turns giving each parent a chance to take a break and hunt for food.  When they hunt, they bring back food for the entire family, not just for themselves or the babies. 

Swans are also very interractive parents and the father is also a big part of raising the chicks.  They are beautiful, majestic birds and we see them all year.