I used to name them, Starting in 2008, with Gail and Gordon, I'm not sure if the original pair is still alive, and they have been prolific and several large flocks of 20-30 #Geese each, from the original parents.
Except this one. She's lost her mate, even the three goslings she raised, have moved on. And she sits alone. On a rock, behind my truck, or hiding in the weeds. How long do they mourn, I wonder. Has she become sick? Outcast? Lonely #Goose#Nature#Birds#Ocean
@Rasta ..sadly that lonely one goose if unable to fly will remain and wait to die ..had the experience here one year and would go and see how it was doing and would sit in middle of frozen snow covered pond during the night to sleep till it was either taken by a coyote or bigger bird...
@Rasta Canadian geese mourning periods vary & the variation depends on their age. Younger geese who lose their mate will often find a new mate, fairly quick. Older geese tend to mourn for extended time before finding a new mate. In some cases, older geese who have lost their longtime mate will stay single for rest of their lives.
They will isolate themselves from the flock when mourning.
@msquebanh less than two years, first nest on my shore in that location, they tend to return to the the same spot regularly. During her 28 day sit, I walked right up to her, she never moved, sat on 4 eggs, but Racoons pushed one out and took it. Three eggs hatched. First year for those three. I take her as two years old
@msquebanh all the animals trust me, I'm very patient with them. That's how cats abuse me. They let me think I caught them. While she tolerated me, with and without eggs, there were no foxes or raccoons when I was about. And she doesn't think I can see her, I snapped a photo without looking at her, like I was walking right by. Once I knew there were eggs, nothing went that way for a month
@msquebanh there's a path through my double lot in the city. I have identified all the local cats, and have photos of all the strays. I usually go help find missing cats.
It has extended to dogs, no strays, but my neighbour's dogs have always loved me more. When he gets mad and screams at the dog, she comes to my door for comfort. I understand she didn't mean to run off, and my neighbour loses his mind 😎
@Rasta You have made many fur friends! I bet that dog really loves being able to run over for comfort.
Do you put out shelter spots for them in Winter? I made a few from old plastic bins & use them for feral cat shelters in Winter. Nothing fancy but provides some shelter from storms & such.
@msquebanh my wife was a seamstress. Fabric is everywhere. I wanted her to use it up, so she makes cat blankets for shelters... There are so many cats.. and then, you need more fabric 😎
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