Life and Growing

It’s been a couple of weeks since I posted. Sorry about that. Especially since a couple of readers have expressed concerns for the Goslings in the last week or so!!!

Life continued on the pond and by the end of May, the Goslings were becoming stronger and bigger. Ralph and Alice began to allow them to walk further, as their little legs allowed. They’d already made it as far as the drive before.

The main occupation is still eating.

As always, one of the parents is always watching.

Good thing, too, as the Goslings like to go off.

With wings beginning to be useful, sometimes a bit of grooming is necessary.

Then, it’s back to eating.

But wait, Alice has taken a different direction.

One day, however, they were allowed to go further.

Finally, their little legs were long enough to cross the drive.

There was more food here!!

This spot was great!

Norton and Trixie enjoyed being there, too.

Then it was back to the other side for a rest.

The next day, the last day of May, the Goslings are still less than a month old. They’ve been across the drive for another adventure, but when it was time to head back to the pond, Shy One wasn’t quite ready.

One June 1, there was little change in the daily routine. However, I did get to see what happens when Goslings don’t heed Mama’s advice.

Having been on the pond, it was time for food.

As often happens, Shy One was seated, but she was really enjoying her food!

As she reached for more, Ralph seemed to be saying something.

Possibly, telling Shy One not to reach too far for that yummy food!

We went to Swansea in Wales for a few days, so there’s a four day gap in the photos. I hate when that happens as I feel I’m going to miss something key! The result is usually that I take several hundred photos within hours of walking in my front door. This time, it was late when we got home, so they were already on the island for the night. When I saw them the next morning, it was June 5, almost a month since their birth. They had definitely grown, and their colours had begun to change in earnest.

The morning feed spanned the entire property.

Afternoon swim over, it’s time for sunning and feeding. Today, Mrs Duck is there with her remaining duckling!

Eventually, it was time to move on.

Mrs Duck knows she’s safe if the Canadians are around.

She seems to be following them.

Looks like I’ve been seen by the Shy One.

Dad’s Lieutenant puffs himself out, having a good scritch.

The Gemini Twins are engrossed in something, while Shy One goes to see what Dad’s Lieutenant has found.

True to form, Shy One remains with Alice …

… while the Geminis and Dad’s Lieutenant go over to fresher ground.

As always, when one Gemini finds something …

… the other must also check it out.

Shy One remains behind.

I sometimes think she actually prefers solitude.

Finally, Alice gets her moving to join the others.

Seems Alice wanted some of what the Geminis had found!

Ralph turns the family back to the pond while Alice enjoys.

A couple of hours later, the family have swum and crossed the drive to feed. Time for a rest.

Seems Mr Crow is scoping things out as he goes by Trixie, Norton and Ralph.

He scopes things out around the Goslings.

It appears that Alice hasn’t seen him, so he pauses and looks more closely.

Clearly, Alice knows he’s there and he moves on as she turns to look.

An hour later, the last few photos from June 5.

This time, Dad’s Lieutenant has stayed behind and wings come out as he runs.

He’s caught up, but something catches his eye.

And what could distract the babies more than more food!

It’s quiet on the lawn; the day is grey and warm. I’ll be taking the dog for a walk in a bit. Every so often, we hear Canada Geese flying over the house. The other day I saw them flying over the lawn and did a quick count. I’m pretty sure it was our family and I smiled to think it. We were in the Lake District last week, but as we got out of the car upon our return, we heard them.

“They’re welcoming us home!” my sweetheart said with a great grin as he listened.

Rest assured that there remain weeks’ worth of photos following this year’s family through to maturity and many more stories to tell. I’m still choosing and developing photos from June! I’m trying to be picky, but it’s difficult. Bear with me. Our Canada Goose family fascinates me and I tend to think that if it’s in focus, it’s worth looking at!