Geese at Peace

 Lake Murray has a sizeable population of geese, and they don't always get around. One particular mean gander was the first gander to raise babies there. He bites other goslings that aren't his and attacks his own, sometimes viciously, when they are almost a year old.  Not long ago, the coyotes killed him. At the time, he had three almost-grown goslings. 

The rest of this family went from the highest-ranking family to the bottom. Fortunately, the goslings were only a couple of weeks away from flying, so they were OK. However, one thing I noticed is that the entire flock seemed more peaceful. I am not saying that no one nipped or chased anyone, but they seemed calmer and quieter. I even made a video about it.

Currently, most of this year's flock are doing "flying lessons." Therefore, many of them are not at the lake. One gosling is still too young to fly. 

Babba, the domestic gander, attached himself to a family with four goslings. He and the gander were buddies, but Babba didn't like the mom. Now that they are of flaying age, they have left him alone. He sometimes tries to hang out with the last young gosling, but I don't think the parents are putting up with him.

You may see the geese come and go at this time. However, they will rarely stay in one place all day. 

Update at Lake Murray

Sorry that it's been so long! I don't go to the lake as regularly as I usually do. The lake is full of geese and goslings now! Weird thing is that they don't creche there and many of the families fight.  I found this little guy all by himself with no other goslings his age. I took him to Project Wildlife a few weeks ago and haven't heard anything since.

More goslings from this season, including two very large families. One family has managed to retain and raise seven goslings almost to adulthood.

Geese are so fun and Canada geese are the best.

There have been several common gallinule chicks hatched at the lake from this one female. It appears that the female does everything. There is no sign of the male at all.

And, of course, ducklings. Unfortunately, I was gone for a while and didn't see a whole lot of ducklings. However, I did see a few broods have ducklings make it to flying age.

Peaches's Ducklings and Uno

I made a surprise visit to the lake and discovered that Peaches had a brood of about ten ducklings.

She also still had almost as many eggs still on the nest.

She had mostly mallard, but one black and yellow duckling, too.

This drake is, most likely, the father of most of them:

Back on her nest for nap time.

Sadly, as of last Tuesday, Snowie only had one duckling left. I didn't think he would survive much longer. However, today, he's still there and getting bigger. He's now over two weeks old and almost too big for the gulls and already too big for crows. Still small enough for herons. I've named him Uno, but really want to hold off on really naming him until I make sure he's makes it a couple more weeks.

He's always losing sight of mom:

Wandering away, once again:

Sad update on the family of six goslings. It appears that one went missing just like last year. I don't know if someone took him or something got to him.

And, Miss Squeaky was rescued today. She was sick and injured from the males. Here's a photo I took of her last Tuesday. She looked much worse today.

Something is wrong with eyes. They keep foaming up and the membrane seems to be sticky.