Canadian Geese and their Gosling's

I woke up this morning to the honking of the Canadian Geese, just like most mornings here in Myrtle Beach.  Sometimes I look out and sometimes I just roll over and wait for them to calm down.  Starting Saturday the geese have been more boisterous than usual but the female I have been watching was still on her nest and the male still stops by a few times a day for his treat.  I just figured that it's spring and of course I'm going to hear more from these geese now.

This morning was no different and I had plans on getting some things done before getting on the computer.  The pair of ducks was out back waiting for some treats so I figured I'd get that out of the way before starting.  The computer wasn't even on yet and I was barely awake.  I happened to look across the pond to see what Mr. Goose was honking about.  Lo and Behold, would you look at that, are those little ones I see?  I look over to the nest and Mrs. Goose is still on the nest.  Hmmmm?  So I go in and put the conversion lens on the camera and have a look.  Well, the other pair of geese I don't see very often are out walking five new, yellow fuzzy babies.  I run in, put on my sweatshirt and sandals and out the door I go.  I have some pictures to take, courtesy of Mr and Mrs Goose #2. 

I spent about a half hour or so watching and taking photos.  They finally went into the high reeds and bushes so I thought I was finished and packed it in for the morning.  I'm inside about five minutes and  hear honking again.  Of course I have to be sure everything is alright, not that I can do anything if it isn't, but I'm always curious, some may say nosy, and I'm outside again.   What?  They're taking them for a swim?  No, they're too little aren't they?  Apparently not.  There they are, Mrs. Goose and her five little ones are in the middle of the pond.  All the honking was Mr. Goose chasing some uninvited visitors.  He flaps his wings, sticks his neck out and chases two adult geese out of the water and up the hill.  He'll let them know when the Mrs. is  accepting visitors, and right now is not an option.  Having chased the two away, he joins his family in the water and helps Mrs. Goose to get the babies up the hill and onto the grass, all the while making sure it's safe. 

I'm at least 4 or 500 yards away while taking all these photos.  Some aren't very clear, but I love them and appreciate the opportunity just the same.  The whole time I'm trying to focus in and take some good photos I'm thinking about getting a bigger conversion lens if this camera has one, but after looking at these, I'm pleasantly surprised.  Some are fuzzy, but it's windy and I'm not really a photographer, I just play around with it.

This is the first thing I see when I look across the pond.  Are those babies I wonder as I run to get the camera.  I'm barely awake and I can't tell if that pile of something between the adults is moving or not.  Wait, I think I saw something move, I'll be able to tell after I get the camera.  Wait right there, I have to put on the conversion lens too.  Please don't go away.

Yup, looks like they are moving and they definitely are babies.  Stop shaking with excitement, you have to hold the camera still.  Calm down!

I wonder how many there are.  Four, three, I can't really see too well and it's windy so the camera is shaking.  I'm hoping these come out good.

Now it looks like four or five.  I always seem to get the tail end of things.  Please turn around.

I think Mrs. Goose is telling them to smile for the camera!  Turn around my pretty little ones, the lady wants a photo.  Oh wait, it's Nana, she'll want quite a few photos, she never takes just one.

There's no such thing as a "bad" picture!

Come along now, we have places to go.

We'll eat later, come along.

Dad's setting a bad example.  Mrs. Goose would like to move it along, now please.

Well, if Dad can eat, so can we.  It's time to take a break!

Every once in a while I get a head shot. 

OK, I rounded up these two stragglers, now how many do we have?

Looks like five to me. 

I wish you would all stand up nice and tall so I could get a count!

Still not sure how many there are.

This is home guys.  Right under these bushes.  So we took a nice little walk and let Nana take some pictures. At this point I go in, thinking they are going to go take a nap.  I hear the honking and went out again to see what was going on.  Oh, no, more photos!

And look, five little heads, and a visitor that caused all the honking.

Anyone up for a swim?

Don't they look happy!

Finally a good photo of all five of them.

and 

and 

we finally made it to the water!

I don't know who leads and who brings up the rear, but isn't this cute?

This is the first family we've seen this year.

Up the hill and home they went.

So this is how I spent my morning.  There are a few more photos but pretty much the same thing, I tend to take more than needed.  I also took some photos of the other pair, her on the nest and him protecting her, but I wanted to focus this article on just this family.  I'm sure I'll be out taking more photos of them and I hope on one of the trips across the pond they'll be closer to my house.  I hope you enjoyed seeing these little guys even though the photos weren't too clear.  Thanks so much.

Canon PowerShot S3IS     April 8, 2008