It’s been 10 days since I checked in on the goslings and they’ve gotten so big. Their beaks have developed into the adult shape, their necks are much longer and their colour has turned from yellow to light brown. You can also see the beginnings of adult feathers and the development of real wings. I wonder at what age they will take to the air?
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On the other side of the park, though, one poor mama is still incubating her eggs and she has nested right against the concrete barrier to the pond. It’s a busy spot near a parking lot with lots of people coming and going. I’ve been pondering this choice and have concluded that the concrete barrier protects her on one side so no one can sneak up on her and that the parade of people probably keep other geese from bothering her. Even so, she is wary and was giving Jack the evil eye. I have no doubt that she would have launched an attack had I let Jack any closer. Not a silly goose after all.
Ten days to a hatchling bird is like four years to a human child. One of the marvels of raising cockatiels as I used to was watching how crazy fast they grow.
My, how they have grown! (This is a thing I don’t say to human kids face-to-face.)
I hope the late-breeding mama can get her crew on their wings in time.
Also, the young ones are made more perky by the sunlight while the hot rays of the sun seem to add to the burdens of motherhood for the hatching one.
Oh, the cuteness! That is one hairy eyeball Mama is giving you & Jack.