We had eleven wild Canadian geese splash down on our pond early last Friday morning.
They quickly found some of the lush green grass surrounding the water.
How did our chickens, ducks and geese react to these visitors? They went into hiding.
But then it wasn't too long before some of them came out into the open to check the visitors out. But they didn't get too close trying to act quite nonchalant.
"Who the heck do you think those guys are, Skidmore?"
Fairly soon the ducks were swimming right alongside the Canadian geese, but our geese still weren't that sure of the whole situation.
In a bit the Canadian geese came right up into the yard . . .
. . . and seemed to make themselves at home.
During afternoon siesta time when we frequently see our ducks and geese hunkered down taking a nap in the sunshine, we looked out to see the Canadian geese doing the same.
Papa Pea went out to do afternoon chores and was surprised that the visitors didn't seem a bit skittish to have him in close proximity.
We wouldn't have minded if they'd stayed around longer, but they took to the wing and flew off in the late afternoon. Come again!
19 comments:
Hey those could be my geese! We have Canadian geese in our area often. They love hanging out by the Sacramento river in Redding proper and I see them flying over the farm checking out the nearby ponds and reservoirs. They become very people friendly especially the ones who hang out in Redding at the river with many business's nearby.
I've heard them flying overhead and honking their fool heads off as they go. Our winters are so mild now that many of them don't even fly south for the winter anymore and make a nuisance of themselves pooping all over the local beaches.
We get a few flying over, but they go un-seen after a while. The river runs through the woods, so we don't see much of them.
Word must have gone out that your place was THE place to be! Very poultry friendly...how interesting to see the interplay (or not) between the domestic crew and the wild.
Goatldi - I thought they looked like your geese! ;o) The only problem when they hang out by rivers or lakes near populations is all the poop they leave as calling cards! We don't venture into our poultry yard without chore boots on!
I see them gathering now. Bunches of them starting to form. Its too early! But they know...they went down south a bit to scope out their flight path. Love the fact they they can get along so well! :)
Sparkless - Yep, we're well aware of the large . . . um, uh, deposits (!) all geese make!
Kristina - I sure do love seeing and hearing them when they fly over in the spring and fall migrations.
Susan - It was very interesting to watch how our birds reacted to them. The ducks seem the less concerned by far.
MrsDM - Considering that domestic geese can be quite domineering, I was surprised ours let the Canadian geese be on their territory!
Do you clip the wings of your geese so they don't fly off? A neighbor gave us two geese once and they stayed maybe 4 hours before they lifted into the skies never to be seen again.
Hmmm, were they heading south when they left? I feel like our summer is over already in many ways but have not seen or heard any geese yet. We have a large pond but try to keep the geese moving on after one day with the help of the dogs unless it is hunting season.
Glenda - Yes, we have clipped one wing. A few years ago when we had geese, something scared them (I can't remember the exact circumstances) and three of the ganders flew over the fence. One went into the woods and we never could find him. No pile of feathers, if a coyote or wolf got him, or any trace.
That must have been quite the sight when those two geese of (almost) yours took right off!
Athanasia - Nope, they headed due west! I'm thinking it's a little early for them to be heading south, but maybe they were still looking for the rest of a big flock to join!
What a paradise you and Papa Pea created.
The happy/tranquil pictures and visitors lifted my spirit.
My hunter friend George shoots about 40 geese every year. George has a tough time to find enough people would eat geese though.
Wow, that's pretty cool Mama Pea! :) Just a rest stop on their journey. :)
DDD - Thank you for your kind words. We don't hunt geese or ducks but we sure are going to have more ducks than we can eat going to Freezer Camp this fall! I've never had wild goose or duck, but we do enjoy the meat from domestic ones. Yum!
Rain - Or they could be ones that spend the summer in our area. We haven't yet seen any flocks going over that are heading south.
They love hanging out by the Sacramento river in Redding proper and I see them flying over the farm checking out the nearby ponds and reservoirs.
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