One Month Old!

Getting bigger, when you’re human, means you can look after yourself more, do more things. When you’re a gosling, getting bigger means safety. It means that your parents can relax a bit. Doesn’t it?

The photos in this post were taken between June 6 and June 9, surrounding the Goslings’ one month birthday. This is when the changes become a bit more pronounced. Throughout June they will grow, and morph into juvenile geese. Later in the month, true wing training will begin, but right now, they are still a little young for it.

They are getting taller.

Their bodies are more grey and their necks are so long!

Time for a late afternoon swim.

In the water, they still look quite small.

Their legs look more like legs with muscles and less like twigs.

The rest of the photos are all taken on June 9, the first at about 6:00 in the morning. It was raining and the Goslings were soaked!

But food waits for no goose.

Taking advantage of the shower.

No need to think of predators, just grooming in the rain.

A few hours later, at about 9:30, time for food. The crows aren’t far away.

The Crows are hopeful, but the Goslings are almost as big as them.

Adults can keep eating, but they are still watchful.

The Crows are a bit too interested, until Norton starts actively watching.

Norton has a bite to eat as Alice takes over. The Crows aren’t sure.

Alice keeps watching and Ralph turns as he eats, ready to protect. The Crows move off.

The Crows have moved off, but Alice keeps watching.

To be on the safe side, time to go in the water.

Later that day, we walked around the ponds. No sign of the the family on the near pond, but Mr Coot was happy to be tempted by some seed.

Happy on his perch. I’ve never noticed how blue their legs are before!

Something has just landed in the water nearby. Better check it out.

Seeds!

Lots of seeds!

That was good.

He turns to see if there’s more.

Better get to that seed fast!

I’ve been seen.

He’s not sure about me.

But there is seed to be had.

In the end, seed wins over curiosity.

There was a bit more action over on the far pond.

When the seeds started to land, it took a few minutes, but the family eventually responded.

It’s so good!

While my sweetheart fed the little ones for a few minutes, I took the opportunity to get a few shots of Trixie and Norton in the beautiful evening light.

Five minutes later, having left the family happily gobbling seeds from the water, as we rounded the corner of the pond we saw this.

Which led to this lovely series.

As we headed back toward home, this lovely scene presented itself and I had to share it.

At about 8:30 pm — the day ended as it had begun, with food and crows.

Adults not paying attention.

Yes they are!

I’ll just keep walking.

And their story continues. One month old and there are still four of them. The Crows will stick around, but now that the Goslings are bigger the hunting isn’t as easy. And those little wings are about to grow!