Then There Were....

The picture is certainly not a goose but it is one of the many birds that visits nightly since the first day of spring. And he/she has a repertoire of bird calls rivaling the libraries at the Audubon Society. This is of course a mockingbird. Truth be told, although I understand that it is a sin to kill a mockingbird, after three straight nights of his incessant imitations, the sentiment advised against in the saying is foremost in my mind. Yes a true harbinger of spring. Between the mockingbird's routine and the bull frog, the lovesick geese and the persnickety ducks, the blackbird's snappy call and the loud and thoroughly piercing screams of kids, spring just seems like boot camp for summer. Sensory overload.

Hannah finally sprang forth with 10 eggs which were all destroyed within 36 hours by heaven knows what. The family comes by once in awhile but steer clear mostly. Archie is the present goose gone wild in protecting Edith who is heavy with eggs still and will soon be nesting. The kids in the neighborhood are mean little sons of guns and found some of the eggs from Hannah's nest. They immediately started throwing the eggs at
Archie who is ready to stroke out as it is. They tease him unmercifully. I am one of the only humans he does not get mad at.

The Canada geese are all still mating and the process obviously takes a bit of time and energy spent on flapping wings and squawking in various odd decibels. Most everyone now is into territorial defense and in the deep still of the night, God help the trespasser and those of us who would like to sleep.

The weather has been off the wall here first cold then hot then cold. We did finally receive a start to drought relief by accumulating over 6 inches in less than 48 hours. Of course the ground could not absorb easily . dry and rock hard as it was, so flooding resulted. Odd thing about water birds is that during the height of thunderstorms they huddle together in the middle of the lake. No shelter seeking for these guys. I always marvel at this and wonder what keeps them from attracting lightening hits.

Very soon within the next two months, we will have new goslings and ducklings everywhere and then the fun changes to families prancing around with their new ones. Not unlike we do with new babies. I look forward to that time with great anticipation. At present we only have two white geese which are Franklin and his little Frank which I believe is really a little Francine on closer exam. So maybe more white geese are in the offing. Pictures will indeed follow the happy events.


Until next time.

AGAIN WITH THE EGGS

It is hard for me to believe that it is that time of year again. You know the signs in every species. The strutting males and primping homebody attitude of the females. However in bird country, this means a big egg loaded female hunting for a nest. The males following along as each egg-y female tries out a spot to hatch a brood. So far this morning there were at least 5 mated geese and their extended families came by to check out the tree and bush outside my bedroom window. Of the geese not yet mated, or those seeking to now have a brood with a new mate, the males are out flapping wings and strutting about with the wings extended and chest out declaring to all just who is the better of the flock. He who struts hardest and most confidently wins the female of his choice. Well there is certainly no dearth of females nor of suitors for their favors. This is not limited to 9-5 hours either. These guys carry on nightly 24/7. My parakeets are beside themselves, I would imagine, trying to figure how to mate with the suitors outside. I am sure when the season in over next fall, babies hatched and walking, the parakeets will, instead of speaking "pretty bird" and "hello" will be squawking like the constant honk of winged horny geese. The potential of this extending the cacophony of mating to an all year concert boggles the mind and sets those last remaining calm nerves on alert.

This year, whoever settles in which nesting area will be getting a little extra safety at least from the huge terrapins of snap from yesteryear. I intend to put a small turtle proof barricade around the tree with the clutch to deter any lollygagging around fresh eggs and goslings. Bullies they are but as you recall from last year, the bloated snapper got one or more of the new goslings on day one of their lives. Not this year. I vow.

We'll know soon enough who will be squatting in which tried and true nesting place and YOU will all be the first to know. This should be occurring soon. The eggs take will take 28-30 days to hatch. But the preparation of the nest take another good chunk of time so we are right on schedule.

I could use some sleep here.



Until next time.


Bloglines" src="http://www.bloglines.com/images/sub_modern9.gif" border=0>