Migratory visitor

We had a new traveller stop at the Compound pond last night – a Ross’s Goose.

Just one, perhaps separated from his flock somehow. He seemed to make friends with the lone Canada Goose that was also visiting at the same time. They swam together, padded over the hummocks together. Maybe they both needed a little reassurance that, although all their respective buddies had disappeared, just one other strange looking goose meant things would be OK.

This goose, I read, is not a rare bird, but it’s the first time I’ve seen one, and I watched him for an hour or so. They migrate, passing over Alberta with, or just behind, the Snow Geese.

The photo is pretty grainy; my camera is not meant for low light, or long lens. I did get reasonably close the birds and they didn’t mind my presence. The dogs however, Mulder and his chum, Logan’s Brother, were rather disruptive. The neighbour is a lab and was compelled to wade in the shallow, mucky slurry. Eventually, both the geese said “Nuts to this” and escaped the dogs through flight.

Yes, we do have some water. Very bloody little, mind you. And if it doesn’t rain soon, it will be gone before the geese are finished with it. There are a dozen humps of grass surrounded by the beaver ditches.

Yep, saw the beaver again too. They made it through the winter. Joy

Comments are closed.