Join Nature Notes Tuesday at 12:00 am EST to Friday at 11:00 pm EST. More information can be found at the top of the blog on a separate page, but it really is easy. What are you or have you seen and enjoyed in nature? It can be from your own backyard, the local park, out on a hike or anywhere. What plants and animals catch your interest? Do you garden? Have you read a good book on nature? Write a blog post with a photo, a story, a poem, anything goes because I love to see what Mother Nature is up to in your area. Please submit one blog post per week and link back to nature notes in some way.
| 1. | Sallie (Full Time- Life) | 5. | orchid( Japan) | 9. | PATH IN THE PARK |
| 2. | Pictografio | 6. | islandrambles | 10. | betty – NZ |
| 3. | Day One | 7. | Adam Jones | ||
| 4. | Pat from Mille Fiori Favoriti | 8. | P for POND |
After a couple of sunny days we are back to cold rain and expecting some snow tomorrow but spring marches on…
The canada geese pairs have settled the loud angry territorial disputes and Mom is on her nest….
You can see one male biting the other male’s neck. These are really fights and injuries can occur..
Momma Goose chooses a good spot in the wetland woods and makes a nest of leaves and some of her feathers…
Nesting
NEST PLACEMENT
On the ground, usually on a muskrat mound or other slightly elevated site, near water. They prefer a spot from which they can have a fairly unobstructed view in many directions. Female selects the site and does much of nest construction. She adds down feathers and some body feathers beginning after the second egg is laid. She does all the incubation while her mate guards her and the nest.
NEST DESCRIPTION
A large open cup on the ground, made of dry grasses, lichens, mosses, and other plant material, and lined with down and some body feathers.
canada goose nest
Canada geese are pretty formidable but their nests can be raided by coyote, fox and raccoons and I have seen a whole nest destroyed in this way with the eggs being the prize.
More on the canada geese to follow…
Nature walks are wonderful. But you don’t have to travel to special location to enjoy Mother Nature. There is so much to see in your own neighborhood or even in your own back or front yard. Get a guide-book of the wildlife in your area and learn the calls of birds and frogs and toads. So many times I hear a bird that lets me know what I am looking for in the trees.
ramblingwoods.com 
We get Canada geese here too, they were introduced a while back.
Lovely photos.
Interesting photos, Michelle. I never saw geese fight like that! Canadain geese certainly like the green belts and reservoirs around Denver, Colorado! Many of them never leave.
It’s lovely to see their nesting area. When we lived on the Lake in Oregon, we watched the goslings when they first appeared in the procession swimming behind mom, and watched them grow (and as you know about) sometimes sadly watched the line up of babies grow shorter. So I’ve observed the goose families, but never ever discovered a nest! I loved seeing that and, as always, learning from your research.
Thanks for sharing. Canada geese flying in formation are a beautiful sight. It’s also a testament to cooperation as the birds take turns giving leaders a rest. Not so keen on their territorial fights, though, but such is nature … even for humankind.
I appreciate the information you provide with the linkup each week. I learn something from you quite often!
Interesting post, as always, Michelle. That nest looks so warm and soft!
PS: Thank you for hosting!
We don’t have these geese in Australia, Michelle. It’s interesting to see them – virtually at least.
As you know, they are one of my favorites…such handsome, attractive birds. Last year, I ALMOST volunteered to band them here in CT (just too busy to do it though)…:)JP