It’s the first long holiday weekend of 2019, and, while we are all mindful about the real reason for the Memorial Day holiday, we are also anticipating a little R&R as well. What are your plans? Are you sneaking out of work early today and heading to a cottage, have a mini-getaway planned, or just staying home and doing yard work and planting some flowers? Maybe you’re just relaxing? If you’re headed out, I’ll wish you safe travels.
In the meantime, I want to share some more pictures I took on Tuesday morning. The goslings are growing up quickly! One family has a trio of goslings that are still in the cute-and-fuzzy stage and the other two families have goslings that are teenagers. Tuesday was a gray and gloomy morning as I watched one family of geese marching across the perimeter path, through the spent dandelions, enroute to the Ecorse Creek. The Creek is not that wide and the family made the trip to the other side in about 15 minutes. As I stood there (forsaking any walking steps) to capture some photos of their little trip, they reminded me a bit of the children’s book about the Country Mouse and City Mouse. I decided that these geese were the Country Cousins who were going to visit their City Cousins yonder across the Creek. I watched the meet-and-greet at the other side, then suddenly the homeowner started up his lawn mower and the loud noise made the City Cousins and their goslings scatter and the Country Cousins never got out of the car, er … water, but instead just continued on their way.
I’ve captured their road trip in the photos with captions below.
[Header image by “National Day Calendar”]
Mama Goose hopes there are no detours, or this gaggle won’t be giggling.
The goslings look to Papa Goose for direction.
(Hmm – don’t all dads driving on road trips say this? Just askin’.)
Tell the rest of the kids to catch up!“
Mama says the kids are too young … maybe wait a few days ’til they’re older?
“c’mon over here and give me a kiss!”
The Country Cousins say “we’re outta here!”
Linda Schaub
WALKIN', WRITIN', WIT & WHIMSY 
I am surprised how big the geese are but still do not have their feathers. Do you know how old they might be? Great story line. I think I am much like the country cousins – too much noise and I’m out of there. LOL!
LikeLiked by 2 people
There are three sets of geese, two sets of five goslings around the same age, and the third family (with just three goslings) must be at least a week younger and were just fuzzballs when I first saw them and that was two weeks ago (May 8th). The earlier-born goslings are much bigger. No feathers yet, but sleek looking. I have some pictures last year of the goslings when they were getting their feathers in – and they were all legs and feet and a long skinny body. The adult geese are starting to lose their flight feathers, their largest feathers from their wings. I saw two big feathers in the Park today. When they lose them, they can’t fly. In the next few weeks, when the goslings are able to fledge, all the geese will leave our Park and go to bigger parks like Lake Erie Metropark or Elizabeth Park where they can congregate along the water until they can fly again. They can stay in the water and avoid predators that way. Those goslings don’t look ready to fly to me – their wings aren’t long enough yet. Thank you Ruth – I remembered that story from years ago and I am more a Country Mouse than a City Mouse too. I like peace and quiet and not noise either! That guy turned the riding mower on and the City Geese family perked up then he gunned it a little and they scattered … their goslings were really tiny, still yellow.
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL – a delightful story! I adore how you’ve given them all personalities and adventures. They are growing, growing, growing – so fun to see!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Glad you enjoyed it Shelley. They are growing quickly and I saw one family this morning up close, right off the path. Unfortunately it was gray and they were in the shadow of a bush, so the pics may not come out well. They were all standing around eating grass and they are seem to have grown a few inches every time I see them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, animals grow fast – they have to so they survive. It’s fun that you’re documenting how quickly they change.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope the pics I took yesterday are not too dark … you can really see how far they have grown on a near-daily basis. I decided to sleep in as we had the first round of bad weather … we were supposed to have plain rain this a.m. – sleeping in without an alarm clock set was not smart, awoke to sunshine. SMH. Toying with the idea of a short walk and then hunkering down in here the rest of the day to use my brain a bit.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just use Windows editor to lighten them up if they’re too dark. I hope you get a short walk in before the rain!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, that will work – maybe make them B&W if too dark. I always get up early and am kicking myself for listening once again and consulting online weather folks that said it would be a rainy morning. Sigh. I really don’t need to get derailed though especially if we have this bad storm. I’ll be all aflutter about that – we have lots of big, old and unkempt trees around and the ground is very soggy. So heavy winds after heavy rains give me some angst. worrying they’ll topple over. People say “you have insurance” … yes, right.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes! B&W would be nice too! I wouldn’t want to get derailed either. Weather predictions aren’t reliable. I just rely on my nose, it always knows. LOL!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do get derailed easily to be honest … best stay in.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aw, look at the little grey poofs! They are getting big but still cute as ever.
LikeLiked by 2 people
They sure are getting big Sarah – saw one family this morning, closer to the path. They look much more like geese than ducklings now. They were yellow and fuzzy just a few weeks ago!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Usually we see some ducklings and such here but I haven’t seen any yet. I haven’t been to a pond area either though. They usually like to float down the river that runs through my campus and its the cutest thing. I have a soft spot for ducks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was replying to you Sarah and all of a sudden the lights flickered and we had a momentary power outage, lost my internet. We have ducks at the park where I walk daily, but they are scarce and I only saw ducklings once. I was hoping to see some this year, but no luck so far and I’ve not been to as many Parks this Spring due to all our rain and flooded conditions. I’ll keep trying though I think the ducklings are likely grown by now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m laughing through your commentary. I love it!!!!!!! Love, love, love……
Do you have a weekend off work? I’m not really sure how this holiday works….
Love light and glitter Linda
You’re awesome
LikeLiked by 3 people
Oh I am sorry I’m just seeing these nice words now and you’re hopefully in dreamland already when I see them. Thank you Eliza and I’m glad I made you smile, maybe even LOL. I thought I’d do something like I did for the squirrels when they were gorging themselves on the treats I left at the picnic table and I used captions under their names. That was back at the holidays. These geese just reminded me of going on a trip … they just got there and the guy started up that mower and it made such a loud noise and the City Geese scattered and the others went “bye-bye”.
We get a three-day holiday for Memorial Day – Memorial Day is on Monday. It is really a solemn holiday. There are parades to honor the service persons who lost their lives, and there will be ceremonies, not to the extent of your Poppy Day at Armistice Day, but some of the parades have already happened. Ours for our City was last Sunday. Actually, when we moved here from Canada I did not understand why they have Memorial Day now … here in the U.S. they celebrate the “living” veterans and active servicemen on November 11th. I grew up knowing November 11th as Remembrance Day or Poppy Day and you wore your poppy, like in the UK and that was to honor the war dead. It is the reverse here. They call it the “non-official kick-off to Summer” as most people go up North to open their cottages.
Love light and glitter back at you Eliza – you are awesome too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That actually sounds really awesome!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I heard on the radio that there were 12 parades in Southeast Michigan (where I live) alone from today through Memorial Day Monday.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You strung together that story with cute pictures. Geese are fun to watch.
We usually have a neighborhood party at our house on Memorial Day, but I canceled it because we’re having company. As it turns out, son $ and Rose may be out hiking. We’ll still have a cookout with hamburgers and brats for our German friend.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Anne – I’m glad you got a kick out of it. Those geese are fun to watch and they are getting very big. It always sounds like your neighbors are all so friendly when you write about them in your posts – that is the way things should be. It was like that here through the years, but not any longer. That’s nice you’re still having the cookout. I guess David will still have to work – I’m thinking they only close for Christmas and Thanksgiving? That’s how it was at Carter’s – those two days only.
LikeLike
We’ll grill hamburgers and brats for family only on Memorial Day. When we invite the neighborhood, it takes all morning to get ready and a fair bit of time to clean up. We need to spend that time with Gerhard, our German friend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The neighborhood get together sounds nice as well. I just read a comment from Laurie (Meditations in Motion) who said they usually have a neighborhood cookout on Memorial Day as well. Your German friend will enjoy the brats on a bun then.
LikeLike
Gerhard is an exceptional guest. He loves home cooking and is vocally appreciative. He is always enthusiastic about anything we plan to do. I wish all guests were that easy and interesting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well enjoy his company and his praise … as you say not everyone is as easy and interesting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great pictures – Linda, I also was watching Canada geese miles across the world today.
You will see from my post today our goslings are not as big as yours yet.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Andy – I was a little late getting here tonight and I’ll go check out your post now. Two sets of goslings are getting very big and the other set (only three) are quite small. The older ones have lost their downy look and are all gray with gangly looking legs and long bodies now. Soon they’ll start getting their permanent colors when they get their feathers.
LikeLike
The growing goslings are super cute! 🙂
I’m retired, so every day is a holiday for me! 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
I just saw Andy Finnegan’s goslings, as did you, and I wish ours were still that cute and fuzzy. I saw one family today – they have grown in leaps and bounds since the pictures I took for today’s post! Soon they will be leaving our Park with their parents once the parents begin moulting – I saw two large flying feathers in the Park today. They go to a larger park and hang out in the water and the shoreline until they get their flight feathers all back – usually around Labor Day.
LikeLike
Wonderful photos, Linda, and an amusing tale. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Rebecca – glad you liked the photos and little tale.
LikeLike
Great story and I loved the shots of the family.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Glad you liked it Kate.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love your captions, Linda. We are staying close to home this weekend. Bill and I did take a little road trip this afternoon to visit a new (to us) brewpub about 40 minutes from our house. We liked it. Sunday my son and DIL are coming up to eat blue crabs with us on the deck. That will be an all-evening endeavor. We slowly pick the crabs and enjoy the company. Monday is a running day. A friend of ours hosts a fata$$ run (one where there are no shirts, official timing, or aid stations). We see how far we can get in 4 hours, then grill out at a nearby pavilion and have a picnic. We did it last year on Memorial Day and had a great time.
LikeLiked by 2 people
That sounds like a relaxing weekend, and the run sounds very interesting – this will be the third weekend in a row you and Bill will have participated in a run.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Actually, it is the 4th weekend in a row! 🙂 Hope you are having a relaxing weekend too, Linda and that the weather is cooperating for you to get your walking miles in.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow – the 4th – I lost track of them Laurie, there were so many. I was able to walk today and just got in the house and it rained. Today we only got rain in the southern part of the state, that’s me, and they were really iffy on when it would arrive, so I didn’t go far – just to Council Point Park. Tomorrow is good most of the day so I’ll be okay again. The rain is really exasperating though. People who had outside BBQs etc. had to have a Plan “B” in case of rain.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Perfect timing on your walk, Linda. It’s supposed to rain here tomorrow morning, but stop by 5:00 pm. Just in time for our running club (I hope they are right about that!)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I just published my post a few minutes ago Laurie – we had a gorgeous day and probably the nicest day we’ve had this year. We have storms coming in at 9:00 p.m. and all through way through Thursday. I asked how many people were at this event today and was told between 500-600. There were more runners than walkers (they had a 5K and 8K run). It started out cool, but started getting very warm (and our shirts were heavy and long-sleeved). I was watching some of the runners after the event (longer than usual … most are just 5Ks) and they were doing all kinds of stretching exercises on the track (which was a soft rubbery pebbly texture). They were doing different contortions and this reminds me I never stretch even before I walk, let alone after.
LikeLike
OMG they are really growing fast! I am on vacation with my clients this week. My mother is visiting from Florida. I won’t be doing much cooking except for our Memorial Day picnic.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That sounds like a nice change of pace Diane – and you have a birthday the end of the week too as I recall. Yes, they are really getting big … soon they’ll get some feathers and really reach an awkward-looking stage … I can say that as I have some pictures of me, all arms and legs as I shot to 5′ 9″ tall. Enjoy your holiday and upcoming week.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Linda!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great concept Linda! I always loved that book with the country mouse and the city mouse.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Glad you liked it Joni – I liked that book too and had a flashback of it when I watched the geese from my side trying to visit across the Creek, which is actually a different city – I probably should have said that too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Miss Linda…………………………….that was clever and cute how you correlated those pictures with the story..of the Country and City Mice……………………………believe it or not one pair of our pond geese had 6 goslings last week……………….someone keeps taking the other eggs on the nests of the geese……………….but i get to see the baby goslings growing fast too…………………….It’s amazing to see the ducks and geese just sit or stay in one spot when it’s pouring rain outside in the wind too
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for saying that and it was a favorite story of mine growing up and I’ll bet your students read it in your class. I’m glad you get to see the goslings Ann Marie – it is fun to watch them grow up and soon ours will get their feathers and then they will be really tall and awkward looking, half feathers, half not. I saw some goslings yesterday and they were right on the path with their parents so I got a real close-up look at them. It’s been the best part of this Spring by far!
LikeLike
Very adorable goslings and accompanying story! Enjoy your long weekend, Linda!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Glad you like it Sabine – hope you got a little smile to start off your holiday weekend. I am trying to enjoy it around the rain and storms and heat and humidity … our weather is not pleasant but not as bad as some states with tornadoes and horrid storms. Enjoy your weekend as well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Today we have sunshine so I worked in the garden. Also discovered that the squirrels have outsmarted me with one feeder, so I will have to change things up! 😉 But I am fully aware that it’s only a matter of time before they figure that out! 😂 They are so smart!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We have sunshine most of the day tomorrow – no rain/storms until sundown they say (as of today anyway). We had a gray day and rain again. Those squirrels are very smart. They’ll find a way to get in, even if you buy the squirrel-proof feeders. They’ll pick them up and turn them upside down and run down to the ground to feast on the birdseed/peanuts/sunflower seeds.
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOVE the Country and City Mice story – so clever to weave it like u did =
the goslings are getting big – cute
Enjoy your weekend, Linda!
God bless
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you liked it Yvette – yes, they are really big, growing bigger every day now. I thought it would be fun to use that fable with these pictures – I’ll bet everyone has heard that story once in their life, maybe the first time decades ago like me. You enjoy your holiday weekend too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
so far so good….
ad the pictures I took of my goslings (earlier this month) didn’t come out too well – so I like these even more
LikeLiked by 1 person
I actually have more pictures that don’t turn out than do with the goslings – they were not as close in these pictures in this post. And trying to get pictures of the parents, or even the goslings – they are always preening themselves. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
As usual, a great little story with fuzzy companions! Country cousins all the way! xo kim
LikeLiked by 2 people
Glad you enjoyed it Kim and my fuzzy friends as well. I also fit into the Country cousins category, and did so even when I read that little book many decades ago! Love your new profile picture.
LikeLike
Awww what a big happy Gosling family 🙂 So fun! Thanks for sharing, Linda!
LikeLiked by 2 people
They are growing bigger by the day – I have another photo from the weekend and will get it into a post soon. Just the goslings … I’ll wait and see if I can get some more gosling pics, but we have a rainy week, every day but Friday they say. Glad to give you a smile Mackenzie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The babies are so so cute. Every year I enjoy watching them grow up. I hope to see baby ducks this year. I used to have ducks on my farm. Wild ducks, I just started feeding them and they stuck around. Baby ducks every where all summer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope to find those ducklings somewhere, but not at Council Point Park. Even if they are there, and I saw them one time, but not very clearly, there are too many bushes and reeds along the Creek banks to get close to them to take pictures. We do have goslings and last year we had several sets, at least three, maybe four, so all different ages and sizes so lots of opportunities to take pictures. I did this post as I saw them getting ready to go across the Creek (not very wide at all) and then return in short order. They congregated at the dock and that dock was a bit dilapidated to begin with, but we had so much rain and flooding that it is now underwater!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We did not get as much rain here as they said for yesterday. Which is good. I will be heading down to the park today to see all our feathered friends.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Our weather folks leave me shaking my head sometimes. We did have a lot of rain yesterday/evening and a little this morning, but none of the severe weather predicted (thankfully), however we had 25 mph winds most of today.
LikeLiked by 1 person