To the Geese and Ducks, Already Spring?

Photos:  1-- Brianna, the model and Buster's mate, posing for a photo. 2-- Buster, feeling his oats and laying down rules. - Again!)

 

More waves of migratory geese and mallards making their way over and stopping briefly at Central Park.

 

There were a number of new geese and ducks at Harlem Meer Tuesday night.

 

Buster was not at all happy.

 

Normally, Buster does not mind migratory geese passing through and taking up  temporary residence at the Meer.  -- As long as they keep respectable distance and follow the rules.

 

But, that doesn't mean they can trudge all over Buster's space.

 

When first arriving to the Meer Tuesday night, things seemed normal.

 

"Loner" was the first goose to climb the embankment, along with the Bradley Brigade and the mallards.

 

Within a minute or two, Buster arrived with his gaggle.

 

But then, one or two families of new migratory geese trotted on the grass to check out what was happening.

 

The new geese did not keep respectable distance from Buster and his clan.  (And that is a major "no no.")

 

Buster was furious.   And though gently taking some sunflower seeds from my hand, he immediately ceased in order to "teach" the new geese a lesson or two.

 

And it was not only Buster, but several members of his gaggle.

 

Oh, such a commotion!

 

Suddenly feathers were flying, wings flapping and goose butts were getting pecked big time.   A few of the new geese were sent flying to the water.

 

One of Buster's charges managed to grab a wad of goose down in his mouth and then pranced around proudly like he had just won the Oscar! 

 

"Look what I got!!  That will show 'em!"

 

I am sure Buster would have been quite proud of his protege.  But, he was too busy chasing and pecking himself to probably notice the victories of his clan members.

 

I laughed at the goose with the wad of down in his mouth and wanted to grab a photo.  But, I was too overwhelmed with the extra mallards at my feet to even be able to move.  I almost stepped on one of them as it was.

 

With all the craziness and extra bird activity Tuesday night, not only was Chrissy (the lame mallard) hesitant to climb the embankment and eat from my hand, but even Brad seemed a bit intimidated by all the "action."

 

It took Brad a while to actually walk up to me and stake his claim for treat.   I could almost hear him muttering, "It is just too wild and crazy here tonight!"

 

The "goosing" and territorial claims-staking went on for some minutes. 

 

But, migratory geese are apparently not that easily intimidated.

 

Though the two migratory goose families did eventually move further along the embankment leaving Buster and clan their claimed "space," they did not entirely vacate.

 

Nevertheless, a truce was called and Buster returned to me for some treat -- or, in this case, "reward."

 

His other gaggle members, (proud of their "victories") quietly nibbled at pumpkin seeds on the ground, while Brianna (Buster's mate) proudly stood and posed for a photo. (Were Brianna a human instead of a goose, she would easily be a Vogue model -- especially with her long, elegant neck which she always seems to hold very high.)

 

In fact, so seemingly proud of her mate and family Tuesday night, Brianna actually took a few seeds from my hand!

 

Brianna was like a refined English dam sipping tea in the delicate way she took the treat.

 

"Just a little, please."

 

Although Buster usually admonishes gaggle members who dare take a treat from my hand, he did not correct his mate.  At least one of his flock gets some respect.

 

Matters finally peaceful on Tuesday, I gathered my dogs to leave.  As usual, Buster and family, as well as the ducks followed me in the water. 

 

The migratory geese however, remained on the embankment, resting. They had indeed had a rough evening and "welcoming" to Harlem Meer.

 

Walking home Tuesday evening via the Reservoir path, I noticed several new flocks of migratory geese on the water and heard the honks of others passing over the sky.

 

"You'd better not stop at the Meer." I warned them.  "Buster is not rolling out the red carpet tonight!"

 

Last night matters were once again, different.

 

I am not sure if the migratory geese were still at the Meer, but if they were, they did not dare tread on Buster's brashly claimed space.

 

As soon as I arrived to the Meer, Buster loudly honked from the east side of the lake and he and his gaggle flew across the water to immediately greet me even before the ducks.

 

But, even last night things were not all together "peaceful."

 

I don't know if Buster is simply teaching his flock how to be "tough" (they seem to be learning the lessons well) or he just won't tolerate his gaggle members taking any treats from my hand.   But, Buster spent far more time "goosing" his flock mates last night than actually taking treats from me.

 

I am almost sure now that the four "regular" (and smaller) geese with Buster and his mate are their offspring from last year.  One simply cannot imagine unrelated geese putting up with all this teaching and abuse (although the family appears to have two "hangers-on" geese who always keep a short distance away.  --Loner and another new goose.)

 

All these antics could however be the start of preparation for the upcoming spring and mating ritual.   Parent geese usually start pushing the offspring away shortly before they mate again.  Such scenes usually are not pretty.

 

Walking home last night by the Reservoir again, I noticed that the migratory geese from the night before seemed to have left.

 

I guess they got my message.  No red carpets in Central Park and especially Harlem Meer.  Buster is on the war path!

 

Or, maybe to the geese and ducks, it is already spring.

 

I did after all, see a drake and female mallard strolling romantically on one of the park lawns last night.

 

"Time to get away from the maddening crowd!" 

 

Signs of spring, indeed. -- PCA

 

 

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