Team Canada Geese

Making a Splash on the Pond

Honking and Retreating

Grazing

Look at That "Heart"

Such Beautiful Feathers

Geese With Turtle on Log

Vocal. Canada geese are vocal.

When they graze the budding grasses of the pastures around the pond, they mumble-honk. When they go on alert, standing still, eye cocked my direction they are silent until they see that I'm going to take my seat under the apple tree. They slowly walk toward the pond and honk their displeasure.

Should Bobo give chase, they honk-a-honk-a-honk and lift wings like ladies in long skirts, running to the water. These big beautiful bruisers weigh in at nearly 20 pounds and when pushed, they will hold their ground and hiss. No hissing here. I don't push our visitors.

But interestingly enough, Bootsy, my feline birding-buddy is aware of the geese posing a threat. We have three geese hanging out this March. Two are a couple. I've seen geese raise goslings in small flocks of three or even four adults. The extras often stand guard, and they are protective.

So is Bootsy. While watching the pond with binos, she likes to sit on my lap. She jumped down when one goose headed toward us, grazing. I got some great close up shots. Markings and feathers are striking -- tawny, cream and black. As I clicked my camera, I heard a rumbling growl. It was the cat hunkered at me feet.

She was ready to protect me from the goose!

Give the geese their space and they feel comfortable. They'll let me know when I'm encroaching, but they adjust to my habits so I try to stick to three bird viewing stations. One is a ladder on the fence to gain  elevation over the pond.

Canada geese fly in and out of the pond and if the current three are in residence they tell off any other Canada geese who might want to stop. Elmira Pond has seen goslings grow up until the flocks gather to head south.

Elmira Pond is a breeding ground for a few. It's not a staging place, but rather a rest stop to many. I enjoy having the geese. Once the grass grows deeper, they love to rest and gaze over the pond. They don't mind horses and so far, they haven't had to tangle with the cat.

This is part of a March Madness Series. Vote for your favorite team!