Well, I’m usually a Winter weenie, but I’ve never been a Spring-almost-on-the-cusp-of-Summer-weenie.
I didn’t even poke my head outside the door today.
It got to 95 degrees, with a heat index of 100 degrees. It was already pretty steamy by 9:00 a.m. The rain, heat and humidity has made the front and backyard look unloved and raggedy, and, even I had to admit the inside of the house was looking cringe worthy as well.
So, I strapped on the pedometer and got 2 ¼ miles of steps just doing housework and miscellaneous tasks.
I didn’t even break a sweat – yay me!
But, when I finally sat down with a big sigh and waited for the computer to boot up, I looked around – yup, the house might pass the “white glove test” now, but I feel like I need another day off for myself!
I know I am a malcontent sometimes, especially when all Winter I dreamed about nice weather and getting out to walk while chasing my goal, taking photos, writing about my walks … then, in the next breath, I complain about the heat and stay inside. Go figure. Unfortunately, tomorrow will be like today – sultry and steamy, then rain on Tuesday.
So, I’ll whine a little on Monday and Tuesday as well.
If it was not Father’s Day, I likely would have skipped today’s post, but, it is the day that people honor their fathers, or celebrate being a father, so I have a few photos to share on this special Hallmark holiday.
As you know, I have been tracking the geese and their goslings for weeks now. There are three families of geese and the oldest ones look just like their parents now. You’ve seen the photos that run the gamut from fuzzy little yellow and gray chicks, to gangly-looking young geese and now that they have finally grown into their bodies, they have the striking black head and familiar plumage and they are getting just as feisty as their folks.
You can’t identify characteristics on geese like humans. I mean you don’t say “hey, Sonny’s got his Dad’s blond curly hair” or “looks like Junior’s got his father’s big ears” … no, in the geese world it does not work that way.
It’s more what I would call “attitude” … mixed in with a whole lotta love. Follow along with these photos from the Geese Family Album. See the goslings mimic their father by hissing at people on the perimeter path … they see how Dad has a hissy fit when anyone comes too close to his babies. Or trying to perfect their strut, er … goose stepping.
And finally, make sure to take a gander at the gander on the hill watching his mate and offspring.
That’s pure love. Just the way it is supposed to be with a father and his brood.
Happy Father’s Day.
Just a chip off the old block – see the first gosling hissing.
Practicing goose-stepping and perfecting the strut.
The stragglers – guess they saved the best for last?
Hey guys, this is how you terrorize humans … hissing and histrionics will have them running off the path for their lives.
So … can you hear me now?
You must deal with me first as I am in charge here.
The sentry
Family #1 goose and goslings, who soon will spread their wings and fly away.
Proud Papa watching over (and admiring) the wife and kids.
Linda Schaub
WALKIN', WRITIN', WIT & WHIMSY 
Oh man I know it I am not sure I’m ready for this heat! Lol but getting a bunch of house work done feels so good 🙂
And geese can sure be feisty!
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I’m not ready for this heat either – August is bad enough. I do feel better for getting the housework done … I had put blinders on to it (not good, but I did that) … but now the clock is going off at midnight because I got here so late, and did the post, then working my way through comments and Reader. Next time I won’t take so long doing housework!! Those geese are feisty, especially when they have the goslings with them. Often they start flapping their wings as well. I didn’t have any of those wing-flapping pictures but you know to stay out of their way. I was thinking to myself that I have to move off the path, walk through the (maybe) tick-infested grass so I don’t make the gander mad. Something is wrong with that!!
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I know it, I’ve been struggling to keep up with reading posts…I know I’ve fallen behind and missed some! And yes they are sure not afraid to come after you!
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You make me smile – that happens to me too – I am struggling to get through comments, then Reader tonight … we have a big storm on the way and I hope it holds out until I am finished. I am ready for bed since I was here late last night. It is hard to keep up sometimes. 🙂
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Well good luck! 😊
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Great commentary for the photographs. I think you love geese. I think I would too. Geese are cute except when they open their mouths. Do they bite ? Sorry for my ignorance.
Have you seen humans who resemble geese ? I have.
Good you could complete some housework.
Susie
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Thanks Susie. They don’t have teeth, but they can peck you and you would feel it too. Some people with long necks and skinny bodies maybe? I am glad I completed some housework, but the clock just struck midnight and I won’t want to get up early tomorrow now. Next time I won’t be as diligent with the dust bunnies.
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They are far more loyal than a lot of humans these days, making them, in a big way, far more angelic… and they already have wings! 🙂
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That is a beautiful way to look at it Tom – angelic and already having wings. The ganders from the three families alway station themselves by their brood. There was another walker that morning I took these pictures and he decided not to veer off the trail to walk on the grass, so I was there to capture the gander’s hissing – he did not flap his wings or go after the other walker though as he did not threaten him or deem him a threat. This walker is there all the time … his first time around the Park every morning, he carries a garbage bag with him, and picks up all the trash and then he walks around a couple more times to enjoy the walk. He feeds the squirrels peanuts too. I think the geese were agitated but knew Mike meant to harm to them. As you probably know, Canada geese mate for life … it is so touching to watch the entire family.
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Yes, they mate for life, unlike my louse brother-in-law who cheats on his wife.
I love the way they hiss!
It always cracks me up to see paintings or statues of “angels”; taking avian attributes and pasting them on a human form is just robbery and such drivel! 🙂 We are monkeys, not fliers!
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I know about that – my father decided after 33 years of marriage, he was “tired of the family” … they call it “gray divorce” only he didn’t wait to get divorced, he left the country, taking all the money in the bank and left my mom high and dry. Sigh. The geese mate for life – animals have more loyalty than people most of the time. I like the way they hiss as well. I know he would not go after Mike as he was “passing through” and they knew he would not harm the goslings, but … he still took a chance walking on what they deem “their pathway”.
I don’t understand that either – makes me think of the flying monkeys in “The Wizard of Oz”.
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So much the geese have grown!😊
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Yes … now it is difficult to tell the goslings from family #1 from their parents. Soon this family will be off and won’t return until Fall.
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When I visited my parent’s house in Canada we have seen Geese in the park.
Here in The USA Canadian goose come in the winter time. They are so adorable to see.
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I see, our Michigan geese are flying to California – now I know where they go all Winter – I had wondered. 🙂
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Now you know. YAY:)
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OMG look how big they got!!
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They are all grown up and have flown the coop – I am surprised because family no. 2 and no. e did not look old enough to fly yet, so they must have left for another venue by water.
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