After nearly a week since our last visit to the pond in Summer Grove, Darlene and I were anxious to return today. We were excited to see the goslings and take photos of their growth over the past week. With bread in hand (ignoring the posted sign about not feeding the geese), we stood on the bank of the pond waiting for the geese to arrive. Oh no! When the baby goslings arrived with their doting parents, one of the three goslings was absent.
The survival rate of goslings is quite high. Adult geese have very few predators and often live long lives. Humans are the greatest threat to both adults and babies. Most likely the gosling was plucked by a hawk, cat, or dog. I feel quite protective about the remaining babies. I hope they'll be safe from harm. Click on the photo below to see a slideshow of the growing goslings.
3 comments:
Were there three or four little babies? You have one picture with three and a lot with two. Who is the white one with the blue eyes and the orange bump on it's head? Where you using your Macro lense? Once again the pictures are beautiful. Keep up the great work. Where is the photo's by "Debra Rector Photography"? I am full of questions tonight.
Thanks much for the compliment, Chere. I don't know how many goslings hatched, but when we started photographing the babies there were three. Sadly, now there are two. No, I didn't use a macro lens. I used my new Nikon 70-300mm lens so I get really close shots of the babies. The goose with the blue eyes is called Harriet by the residents of Summer Grove. She is very sweet and will take bread from your hand.
Oh! what sad sad news about the 3rd baby goose :( But the two are so cute how they stick together so close. The one with the orange beek is really neat looking, what beautiful colors! Again, great pics, as usual :)
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