Colorado Photography of the American West

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25 February 2009

Canadian Geese

I really love Canadian Geese. Living near Fort Collins, Colorado, I am very aware that many consider them pests. Fort Collins is home to more than 10,000 full-time residents and about 100,000 migratory geese. They poop everywhere and they especially love to frequent golf courses. And then there is the recent plane crash that Capt. "Sully" Sullenberger landed in the Hudson River. Yes, Canadian Geese were the cause. But all that said I admire their beauty, their antics, and their monogamous nature.

A friend of mine who used to hunt geese told me he had to stop hunting them. After shooting one unlucky bird the mate kept flying overhead honking and would not leave the area after the rest of the flock flew away. He was so touched he gave up hunting.

Adult geese are also great parents often seen leading their goslings in a line, usually with one parent at the front, and the other at the back. While protecting their goslings, parents often violently chase away nearby creatures including humans by giving off a hissing sound and giving chase. And believe me, if you are unlucky enough to be chased by a goose, you will run!



8 comments:

  1. Julie the top photo is amazing!

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  2. oh julie, how sweet! i've always thought canadian geese were gorgeous! they probably think we are the pests!
    thanks for posting a beautiful article on their behalf! :)
    xoxo

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  3. Photos are beautiful...I love south of you in Florence, Colorado.
    Robin
    CreationsAnew Photography & Design

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  4. Great photos. I absolutely love the first one! I hope you plan on listing it on etsy.

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  5. ugh I hate those things!! I'm trying to get out my parking spot the other day and I get stuck waiting for a frickin parade of these things to walk across the street! It's like they think they own the place! Please go back to Canada geese, we don't like you here...

    Nice shots though ;)

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  6. Beautiful shots Julie! How great to be in a moment when the sun pokes out of the clouds, and even greater to capture it!

    I love Canadian Geese too! Sometimes I have to sit in my car in the middle of town and wait for them to pass, sometimes I try to feed them bread and they rudely chase me away, and sometimes I feel bad for my husband who has a scarred knee from slipping in Goose poo and falling....... BUT I still love them. They are so beautiful!

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  7. I love Canada Geese, they mate for life like swans.
    Yes they can be pests too, but I still love them.

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Contemporary photography of the cities, landscapes, flora and fauna of the American West.
Julie Magers Soulen Photography