Out for a Stroll

The sun came out on Wednesday and warm weather brought Victorians of all kinds out for a stroll or a run or a graze. These Canada Geese went for a swim later but the rest of us were content with walking or running around. The photo was taken in Rainbow Park, a tiny little green space on the Songhees Walkway.

Family

I know, I know, I've already posted a photo of some Canada Geese goslings earlier this month, but can you ever have enough baby geese? And this group is a little bit special since they must have hatched right along the Westsong Walkway somewhere. They were swimming just offshore when I was walking there yesterday morning and these babies are too young to be flying yet. I say this family group is "special" because while many different kinds of birds hang out along the urban shoreline, most go elsewhere to nest and raise their young.

Grazing in the Grass

I went out to Esquimalt Lagoon recently to take photos of Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) for an artist acquaintance. For much of the winter there is a large flock of these birds that graze on the vast spread of lawn between Hatley Castle and Esquimalt Lagoon. Hatley Castle has been featured here many times.

Until I became a birdwatcher I was not aware that Canada Geese are primarily grazers. Grass and other foliage form the major part of their diet. The geese in the above photo are grazing very much like cattle or horses.

For those of you who may have other associations with "Grazing in the Grass", below is a link to the famous musical composition, one of my favorites, written and performed by Hugh Masakela.

More Esquimalt Lagoon

When I listed the birds I saw on Monday at Esquimalt Lagoon I forgot to mention the Bald Eagles (3), the Brewer's Blackbird flock and the numerous Canada Geese. These last make good practice "birds in flight" shots since they fly fairly low and slow when they are around the lagoon.

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)

Well, I've finished moving and all I have to do now is to unpack(!). So here's another shot from the archives, of a bird I neglected to mention in my roundup of winter residents, the Canada Goose (Branta canadensis). These birds are actually year round residents here and are often quite tame, allowing one to approach closely. Since they are grazers they often visit grassy areas such as are found along the oceanside walks and walkways. They are large birds and their copious droppings on the grass sometimes irritate passersby, especially (I suspect) those who have to clean up after their dogs.

Canada Goose

I've pictured this bird before, the Canada Goose (Branta canadensis), but since it's named for the country and is resident here in Victoria all year round and is so photogenic and big and tame I thought I'd take another look at it. Many Canada Geese do migrate between winter grounds in the southern USA and Mexico and summer breeding areas in Northern Canada and most of us have nostalgic memories of the Vs of wild geese heading southwards in the autumn with their plaintive honking high overhead. Many years ago I lived near a high south-facing cliff and always enjoyed watching the geese when they reached the updraft from this cliff. Then they would float in spiraling circles in the updraft while they gained altitude in this natural elevator. When they had risen up a few thousand feet they would re-form their V and continue their journey.

Like many birds, Canada Geese are monogamous. They choose a mate when they are young and remain mated for a life that may last over 20 years. Considering that these birds are often migratory, flying thousands of miles yearly, and often travel and graze in fairly large flocks, it seems quite remarkable to me that in the absence of moral strictures or social pressures they maintain such stable relationships.

Goosenecking

Generally I don't have much interaction with birds but this goose made it clear that I was getting a little too much into his personal space. Up close these Canada Geese are quite large, muscular creatures. Look at that bow wave he's making. I backed off.A little later I was attracted by a lot of honking, hissing and squabbling out on the lake and caught the sequence below. I don't know whether this is territorial fighting - the leftmost goose had just landed with some friends before undergoing this meeting - or whether it is a mating ritual, or both.

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)

I've posted photos of Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) before because they are large, relatively tame and attractive year round residents of this area. Their copious droppings sometimes make walking perilous on lawns where they have been grazing but stepping carefully is no doubt easier than trying to house-train these birds. Those that live here get quite tame and will tolerate fairly close approaches. The goose on the left was honking agressively the whole time I was watching him. The American Wigeons at his feet don't seem to be perturbed and I suspect the honking was intended to warn other geese away from this little island as a precursor to nesting. Both of today's photos were taken from the Westsong Walkway.