Goose Family

As I promised yesterday, here is the family of geese I mentioned. I've actually been watching them for a few days now. They started out on the other side of the lake, but I found them here right in front of me when I went to check on the nesting goose for the final time.

They came over here because their nest area had been upset by a couple of people that were mowing the grass over there. It was simple enough for these geese to just swim to this side where they thought it would be a little safer. They've found an even better place since I took these pictures.

My post yesterday was maybe a little on the negative side because of the situation I just described. I'm sure the nesting goose we've all been watching and waiting for is just fine. I'll be watching for her to swim by with her babies, so I can be the first one to get pictures.

Now back to this new goose family. In the first picture they were standing very close to the lake viewing area that is attached to the dam. That is the place where the nesting goose was. Maybe she asked these geese to wait here for me so I'd have some good pictures to show, because she had to take her new family to safety right then.

Honestly, this family of geese seemed to be waiting there for me. They stood there patiently while I got some good pictures. Then when they decided I had enough, they got into the water and swam away. They took their time even doing that, so I was able to get good shots of this too.

I don't know if you can tell by the pictures, but the baby goslings in these pictures aren't newborn. They've been around for at least a week. I have more pictures of them while they were on the other side of the lake. Some good ones and some not so good.

Do you notice how the mother stays in front and leads the babies? They follow her wherever she goes. The father brings up the rear to protect the family, and keep an eye out for any little ones that might fall behind. It takes a certain intelligence to have such a close family unit like this.

Most people think that only humans have an intelligence, but what else makes an animal able to do this? It could be only instinct, but then wouldn't that be the same for humans as well? I prefer to think it's a little of both for humans and other animals. We are all more similar than we sometimes think.

There they go. This is the last time I saw them so far. I know I'll see this goose family again, because they seem to like going on these little family outings through the park. I'm hoping I'll get to see our favorite nesting goose and her family too when they're ready to come out. I'm sure they haven't gone far.

I thought yesterday that the story of the nesting goose was at an end. Today I think it might have just gone through a transformation. We'll be seeing a lot of new life very soon. All of the animals will be bringing out their little ones to show them the world. The geese are only the beginning!