With so many little ones to look after, mama ducks sometimes have a lot to do!
This mama had to go back to encourage the two stragglers to come along after their four siblings zoomed ahead. You can see them in the upper right corner of the above photo.
In very low and gentle tones, she murmured to them and then made sure that they joined their sisters and brothers who had gone ahead.
This duck mama has done an excellent job of keeping her little brood safe. I see them almost daily as she shepherds them around a small pond, keeping them quite protected from predators.
I’ve seen lots of adult Canada geese around, but the goslings are still being minded in more secluded areas while many of the adults forage on their own.
Adult geese on a getaway.
This is a rather unique characteristic of these geese: once their young have hatched, the parents will organise themselves into groups called crèches where a large number of goslings are minded by a few adults while the others go off to eat or sometimes just to sleep or relax. They take turns minding the little ones. And here we humans thought we had child care all figured out!
Goose on gosling guard!
Outside of town at a smaller lake I recently saw a couple of crèches of about 20 goslings each being minded by two adults. They were very busy! 40 goslings and four adults! Wow. At least the goslings seemed to be very laid back. I guess it’s adulthood that brings with it the grumpy aggressiveness that the Canada geese love to display!
I was being given the stink-eye.
There were a number of mallard ducks around, too, but it seems that many of the birds, even the finicky quail, get on well with the ducks.
When I got back to town I saw a number of geese on Okanagan Lake enjoying an adult time of it.
Although Canada geese are often seen as nuisances, they are an extraordinarily successful species. They mate for life, are extremely committed parents who will go to great lengths to protect their young and they certainly know how to share the workload for the betterment of everyone in the group.
I’ve been very fortunate to see so many ducklings over the last few days. Adorably tiny feather balls, they are some of the cutest little ones ever.
Dad was bringing up the rear, but I didn’t include him in the photo. They were moving quickly and I wanted to get a picture.
On my return trip, I saw that mom was teaching them how to forage in the long grass next to the shoreline. Not only good pickings there but good protection, too.
I don’t know how many will survive as lots of predators see them as an excellent snack, but this mom is doing her best to keep them safe.
A completely adorable picture from Belinda Grover at Belinda Grover Photography. Please click the link above to see more of Belinda’s wonderful pictures.
As I was taking a walk a few days ago, I heard the distinct call of an agitated robin. Then I noticed a recently fledged one, hopping madly ahead of me and calling desperately for mom.
As soon as Little One saw her, (s)he stopped calling and began looking for worms or bugs. Mom continued to nonchalantly hop ahead. As soon as Little One lost sight again though, the calling started once more and only ended when mom came into view. Poor Little One then gave up and begged to be fed. It’s so hard learning how to find something to eat!
Mom is on the right, mostly hidden by foliage but with one eye visible.
Nature is a demanding taskmaster since mom basically ignored Little One’s signals.
Sorry Little One, you have to learn to feed yourself.
It was clear that mom expected Little One to forage on her/his own. There was acknowledgment from mom, but no food!
Robin parents have to be very tough, but I have no doubt that this young one will soon figure out to copy mom and learn the best spots for fat worms.
A beautiful picture of two little finches from Mark Wade at Photographic, Impressionistic, Illusionistic. To see more of Mark’s photos, please click the link above.
There are lots of birds around now and they are all very busy. I spotted this northern flicker who had found something buggy to eat between the pavers on a footpath.
I think she has some hatchlings – she doesn’t have the distinctive red flashes which indicate a male flicker – because I could hear little cheepings from above my head.
I tried to spot the nest but no luck; it was definitely nearby though because I saw the male flying back and forth between the tree and another area of eating interest a bit further away.
Those specialised beaks are sharp, very pointed and an especially good tool for digging yummy bugs out of trees and from between pavers, too. It’s great that this flicker nest is so well hidden; I hope this little family does well.
I think the Canada geese are getting ready to nest.
The physical differences between females and males is quite subtle, but so are the behaviours. The males are slightly larger and have slightly larger necks, but I wouldn’t put money on being able to pick a male from a female.
Canada geese mate for life and are very much equal partners, taking turns guarding, sitting on the nest and feeding the little ones. In the case of the pair above, one was guarding while the other was eating, but I couldn’t tell which was which. One thing I could tell though was that the guarding goose was giving me the stinkeye!
I’m sure that nesting is starting soon because instead of maintaining their tight flock as they usually do, the couples have somewhat separated themselves from each other. Nevertheless they still tend not to stray too far. There were two other couples nearby and all three were clearly checking in with one another.
The best part is that soon there will be little ones around and it’s always so much fun to watch them grow.
I’ve been ill with flu but am on the mend now and was finally able to get out for a walk; I was rewarded with these geese sightings. Although it’s not official yet, Happy Spring.
In the Net! - Pictures and Stories of Life 