Paradise?: Poem 27 of 30

National Poetry Month:  27 of 30

When I saw these little goslings peeking out from some shrubbery I knew what my post for the day would be.

Paradise?

Parents 

often have the best 

of intentions.

But what were these young geese thinking

when they made this busy parking lot

a home?

Was it the puddles that attracted them?

The distance from predators

that made them feel 

safe?

Or were they tired of life on the lake,

setting out to make a paradise 

in city pavement?

© Cathy L. Mere

Facts About Canadian Geese

• before 1950 Canadian geese just passed through Ohio or visited in winter
• introduced in Ohio in 1950 (silly naturalists)
• typically live near large lakes or marshy areas
• "clutches" are laid before April 15
• 2-7 eggs (less than ducks which often lay 12)
• both parents care for young
• new borns are self-feeding
• babies can fly after 8-9 weeks
• families stay together into autumn
• eat plant matter, insects, aquatic invertebrates
• live longer than ducks (up to 25 years)
• long necks
• long term pair bonds
• natural predators:  owls, raccoons, fox, snapping turtles

Noticed

• loud
• aggressive
• honking noise
• white around eyes
• babies fluffy yellow with gray patches
• babies couldn't really walk (walk, walk, fall)
• living in shrubs in Kroger parking lot
• nest no longer could hide yellow babies 
• when you search for them on Google it is several pages of links before you get past all of the "Canadian geese as a nuisance" pages

References

• Canada Goose: Ohio Department of Natural Resources 
• Ducklings and Goslings:  Ducks Unlimited
• Geese:  Vegan Peace
• Ohio Waterfowl Hunting Regulations (didn't use this site, but may come back to it for a poem or story)