Fidelity a Choice for Canada Geese

(Photos:  1-- Jessie -- a choice to wait and grieve.)

Almost half the lake at Harlem Mere was transformed to ice last night.

This was, of course no surprise considering the sub-freezing temperatures of the past two days.

Nevertheless, half of the lake was still open water and that is, for the moment, good news for the waterfowl still at the Mere -- especially, the six flightless, domestic ducks.

I was surprised not to find Jessie (the "loner" goose) in her familiar place on the south embankment last night.

But, then there was a small flock of geese in the water and I wondered if she was hanging with them?

For the past month or so there has been one family of geese that regularly comes and goes at Harlem Mere  Sometimes they are there and sometimes not.

Last night, they once again graced the Mere with their presence and came to greet me with the ducks and Hector, the swan.

Hector was not at all respectful or polite towards the family of geese as he is towards Jessie, the one goose.

Still seemingly annoyed with the embarrassing incident with a mallard the night before, Hector was ornery and pushy with both the mallards and new geese last night.

For their part, the ducks and geese didn't seem to care that much about Hector's antics.  Though forced to do some "dances" out of the testy swan's way, most of the birds just tried to grab whatever morsels of cracked corn and sunflower seeds they could from the ground -- many of them sitting down in the process to conserve warmth.

After a while, Jessie finally showed up.

Although the family of 7 geese appears to be easy going and accepting, Jessie, nevertheless kept a respectful distance from them.

As she does each night, Jessie ate a little bit of food while being completely surrounded by a small army of ravenous and assertive ducks.  It is uncertain how much treat Jessie actually manages to get.  The four new domestic ducks are particularly aggressive about grabbing practically every seed and kernel of corn even before they hit the ground.

But, I have yet to see Jessie even peck at another bird, much less chase them away.

My hands frozen and the bag of treats quickly gone, I finally gathered my two dogs to leave.

Although I was hoping that Jessie might try to ingratiate herself to the family of 7 geese, that is apparently not her choice.

As I walked away from the feeding area, Jessie followed me along with many of the mallards in familiar "departing ritual" -- leaving the goose family behind.

I don't know if Jessie is actually a female or a male.

But, it does appear that once having lost a mate or family, Canada geese (of whatever sex) do not just "find another one."

I am almost sure the family of 7 geese would have peacefully accepted Jessie -- but it is her choice (for now) to still wait or still grieve.   

Fidelity is apparently an elective choice for Canada geese -- even when circumstances, opportunity and practicality might call for "moving on."  -- PCA

                                                  

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