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puzzle pieces

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

And they`re off.....

I am not a huge fan of the Goose.
I have nothing against them directly....but to be honest- they scare me.
When I venture around the lake in town I`m always careful to stay out of their way- especially when they have goslings. The hissing that ensues as I pass by strikes terror in me every time. 
I think I feel similar to passing a hissing goose- as I would a bear:
 Do I make eye contact....
Do I run...
Do I back up slowly....

From a distance they are beautiful and I never tire of watching them...especially when they have those babies with them and they all swim by in a Family row:)

This time of year sends hundreds of them over our house- south of course.
The sound is incredible.....and on a day when they all decide to fly out 
I always hope I`m around to look and listen. 
It`s beautiful, and puts a ``sad for seasons gone by``feeling in me.

******


Some facts about the Goose:

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An adult goose eats up to 4lbs. of grass a day.
***
Life span can reach 24 years.
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Geese generally return to their same nesting and birth place every year.
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Migratory geese flight range 2 – 3 thousand miles
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Geese mate for life and will stay together during all seasons.
***
(And my favorite fact about geese....)


According to theoretical calculations, birds flying in the "V" formation can fly about 10 percent farther than a lone bird can, while expending the same amount of energy. 

The birds function more efficiently in a group working together.
****

We could learn from these 

honking (hissing) creatures.




9 comments:

Tiggeriffic said...

When I see the geese flying I always am amazed on how they fly ~ plus that they can fly that many miles.
If you would like to treat yourself to an amazing DVD find the DVD called "Winged Migration"..by Jacques Perrin.. It's 89 minutes of miractulous fliming of migrating birds from 40 countries.. The music is wonderfull. I have bought 3 of these DVD's to give as gifts.. Everyone I have given one to just loves it. I'm afraid to loan it out for fear I won't get it back.. I have watched it countless of times and it's a great documentary to watch. Hope you can find this DVD as I know you will enjoy seeing it.
Have a great day~!

Dawn said...

It is incredible- not only the flight but distance!!
THANK YOU! I will definitely look into that DVD. My kids and I would love that....for some reason we are really into the bird watching stuff this year. We even missed breakfast the other day because a Great Horned Owl was sitting in the yard:)
Thanks for the name of the DVD...going to look it up!

mysterymoor said...

Amazing photos again!! x

Dawn said...

Thanks Andrea.....but I can`t help but wonder what it would be like to have a ``real`` camera:))
Hope your day is a good one!

Sheree said...

Christmas is just around the corner Dawn...;)
Love the Goose Facts! I didn't know much of those...
Happy Wednesday!
Sheree

Deb said...

wow I didn't know that about geese....cool info...and they are a little scarey...

Jo said...

4 lbs. of grass a day?!? Wow. Me and the hubby were just talking about geese the other night. Sometimes your local geese stop by North Carolina on their way to warmer weather. I love seeing them. Their black and brown suits look so much sharper than the regular gray and white we see around here.

Jayne said...

I love seeing them flying in formation too Dawn. Interesting facts!

GardenOfDaisies said...

I think they are all headed straight towards me. We seem to have quite a few who winter here. And summer here too. I'm not really sure why some stay here over the winter, it can get colder than the dickens... but I guess not as cold as Canada!
:-)