Canada Goose - An Unappreciated Beauty

Canada Goose

Every year after the Buchanan Ponds' icy water thaws, the same flock of Canada Geese reappears and trumpets the arrival of spring. They settle in right away and begin nesting immediately. They are comfortable enough to stay here all summer long.

Through the molting season, an eight to ten week flightless period when a goose sheds and then replaces its primary flight feathers, the vulnerable bird must be near water so that it feels safe from predators.

This protective mother had four goslings and she hissed threateningly whenever we approached them. I shot this portrait of her on a warm summer day while she was grazing on the grassy banks of one of the ponds.

A pure white chin strap accents the sleek, black head and neck. The beautiful, brown patterning on the back and wings make it an elegant looking bird. Because these large waterfowl have become so common and are sometimes considered a pest, I think their striking appearance often goes unappreciated.

Comments

  1. Lynn ProctorApril 3, 2013 at 8:25 AM

    so lovely--i enjoyed learning more :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dan MillerApril 3, 2013 at 11:18 AM

      Thanks Lynn,

      They're very common around here but they truly are one of my favorite birds.

      Delete
  2. AnonymousApril 3, 2013 at 1:24 PM

    It's a very nice close up shot. It almost looks like a painting.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dan MillerApril 3, 2013 at 1:29 PM

      Thanks, it does look kind of painterly. I like the flat patches of pure color. They really are pretty birds.

      Delete
  3. David MacaulayApril 3, 2013 at 3:42 PM

    That's a nice picture. I do rather like these geese.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Dan MillerApril 3, 2013 at 7:31 PM

    Thanks David, They are very common here so I think they sometimes go unnoticed but they really are a pretty bird.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Susan ScottApril 4, 2013 at 12:59 AM

    Hi Dan, am trying again to post a comment - this time on lap top as opposed to ipad. Thanks for a great post of that proud Canadian goose. As you enter into Spring, we're into autumn (fall) here in South Africa. I envy you your time of renewal and new birthing. Thank you for your lovely post.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dan MillerApril 4, 2013 at 9:35 AM

      It's been a long cold winter. We've gotten a lot of snow recently but it's starting to get warmer. We're are definitely looking forward to Spring here.

      Delete
  6. Jen HaHAApril 4, 2013 at 1:07 AM

    Beautiful picture! We're so used to Canada Geese leaving "gifts" on lawns. I don't stop and admire their beauty. It's only natural after all, can't blame them for the gifts!

    Check out my A to Z! Jen Hemming and Hawing Again

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dan MillerApril 4, 2013 at 9:43 AM

      I know what you're saying. Sometimes we get so many of those geese
      and they can be a little obnoxious. A lot of people here consider them a pest but from a purely aesthetic point view, they're kind of a pretty bird.

      Delete

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