Life Goes On

This week’s psot spans a few days in the middle of June. The Goslings are about six weeks old and they change so quickly. Some days, I would swear they got bigger or stronger or their colouring changed from morning to evening.

This first gallery is at about noon on June 14. Like many youngsters, they would grow restless and as they grew, their activity began to change.

Nap time.

Want to fly!

Too pooped to fly.

Six hours later, they do seem to have grown. Their muscles are more pronounced somehow. At least, that’s how it appeared to me.

Dad’s Lieutenant leads the way.

Tiny again, nestled into the grass.

Shy One, in the front left, seems smaller than the others.

An hour or so later, after their post-rest swim, they returned to the lawn.

Dad’s Lieutenant stretches his wings.

Have to give them a good shake.

One of the Geminis copies his brother.

That feels good!

Shy One stops to sun bathe for a moment.

Time for the evening perambulation …

… and also, more food.

The next morning, I captured this lovely moment.

As usual, the Ravens begin to gather. These days, however, things are not quite as they were.

Hmm.

The Raven sizes things up.

Then joins his friends to confer, away from the family.

Later that day, the family did what the family always did. The Goslings fed while Alice watched and Ralph, Trixie and Norton rested. I’m assuming they’re resting. I’d want to rest having to keep an eye on these four!

The Geminis and Shy One.

Alice watches.

So does Ralph, while Trixie and Noron eat.

As usual, Shy One reaches as far as possible so she doesn’t have to move, while Dad’s Lieutenant grooms.

Finally, even Shy One has to move.

The other adults decide to join them.

As they do, Alice sits down, with Shy One not far away, reaching as usual.

But as always, Alice is still vigilant.

I thought I’d share a couple of other visitors to the lawn.

The Raven I call White Wing.

And Woody … the Wood Pigeon.

The next morning began as usual, with everyone lounging around and feeding.

Shy One is on the right, with Dad’s Lieutenant at centre.

Dad’s Lieutenant has a wonderful stretch.

Then he settles, but …

… Alice has a different idea and calls out to incite them.

Shy One seems to pose en pointe, like a ballerina.

Mission accomplished, everyone is moving.

They cross the lawn, each in his or her own fashion.

Dad’s Lieutenant and the Geminis eat and walk.

Ralph decides to have a good stretch.

Finally, all four are over at the Ash Tree.

Trixie and Norton have a moment on their own.

The Ash Tree has a lot of good food at its roots!

Mm, slugs and things.

What’s that, Shy One seems to say.

White Wing watches as the Goslings explore..

Later that day, the Hooded Crows begin to gather.

We’ll steer clear of this one.

As the Hooded Crows gather, so do the adults.

The Goslings come in as well, as the Crows watch.

This Crow seems to be saying that there’s no point …

… the Goslings are getting too big.

You know the Goslings are growing when they stop looking tiny in the water.

Evening swim.

Peace.

And so, the middle of June passed. The Solstice is yet to come and the Goslings will continue to grow. Over the next month, moulting season will begin, but for the next few weeks the little family will meander through life.