New Life.

A brief session with a couple of the Canada goslings, now just a few weeks old,  as they explored their new surroundings.

Goslings Growing Up.

Do you remember this little fluffy Canada gosling. (You can click this link for my earlier post images)

Well its been well over a month since I first spent some time with them at feeding time .. so how are they doing?

A week after my first encounter they were slightly larger, certainly a lot more vocal but still enjoying each others company for their post feeding nap.

So a month later their colour is changing and the development of their first true feathers are starting to show.

 Whilst they still remain under the watchful protection of their parents .....

 

.... at least one of them now prefers its own company and snoozes in the standing position.  FAB.

 Linking to Nature Notes and Wild Bird Wednesday.

Goslings at Feeding Time.

During a very brief visit to my local patch yesterday (Epsom Common Pond) the first batch of six young Goslings were out of the water feeding under the watchful eyes of their parents.

 

I always enjoy getting down to their level and never fail to be enthralled by how close the parents will allow me to approach without being warned off.

Time to find a juicy piece of salad for lunch.
 

 The look tells all .... this is my dinner and it's not for sharing!  FAB.

Linking to WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY.

Growing Up Fast.

I haven't had much chance to photograph birds during the past week so for todays submission to WORLD BIRD WEDNESDAY I have delved into the recent archives to present the changes I have witnessed in the growth rate of one of the broods of Canada Geese over just a period of six weeks.   

The first four frames were all taken on the 13th May around the edge of a local pond. As always at this stage the young goslings keep close to at least one of the parents who are very attentive and constantly monitor anyone in their vicinity. 

 Hey guys when will we be able to see where we are going?

All these shots were taken from a reasonable distance ensuring that there was no disturbance to their daily routine.

 I even got a very polite wave 'goodbye'.

This image was taken just three weeks later .... not a vast difference although the plumage is a lot less fluffy.

A further three weeks on (a total of at least six weeks growth) and that fluffy, cuddly gosling is now nearly two thirds the size of its parents ..... just a gangling teenager!

Local Patch Update.

All looked very quiet and peaceful around the pond late this morning when I visited Epsom Common. New sightings for June included 2 Swallows, 3 House Martins, a pair of high soaring Common Buzzards and a Grey Wagtail. I also spied 3 males plus a female Mandarin Duck hiding on the island but initially no sign of any youngsters.

While hunting for any 'dragons & damsels' around the waters edge I heard the distinctive call of a female Mandarin who was keeping 3 youngsters out of harms way and away from the camera lens.  

My regular readers will be pleased to see that the four goslings are alive and kicking......

....and getting bigger as the days go by.

A Roe Deer was keeping its feet cool while the Tufties took an afternoon nap!

Speckled Wood.

I also spent some time at a shallow pool watching various Damselflies and the acrobatic comings and goings of a dozen or so Broad-bodied Chasers which I will share in another post.  FAB.

Five are now four.

No birding today apart from keeping an eye on the garden nesters as we have been restocking and repacking all the necessary gear back into the camping trailer. So an update on the goslings...there were five last week but my most recent visit indicates that there are only four left...so can only presume this is a result of predation. 

It was interesting to see the adults sharing sentry duty when the other partner wanted to feed. The youngsters, of course, just kept nibbling away at the fresh green growth and are getting bigger by the day.

I hope to pop out again sometime this week to see how these charmers are progressing.   FAB.

New Life on the Pond.

This was the long distance view that greeted me on a recent visit to one of my local patches at Epsom Common Ponds. A pair of Canada Geese with their five goslings in tow.

Anticipating that this might present an opportunity for some shots I promptly headed around the pond to where I hoped they may haul out of the water to feed and for once my hunch paid off.

The parents were in close attendance but not too perturbed by my presence...only 'hissed' at me once!

They spent some time partially hidden amoungst this fresh grassy patch and check out those enormous feet.

Still slightly damp from its early morning swim.

This delightful encounter only lasted a few minutes and then I left them in peace.   FAB.