… peanut eater in town!!
On Saturday, December 28th I headed to two parks to wind down the last of my long weekend treks for 2019. As I was walking through the parking lot to start on the perimeter path, a fellow walker, who always feeds the squirrels, commented that something new and unusual happened during his walk. “Linda, the geese came and ate the peanuts I gave to the squirrels – I’ve never seen that before, have you?” I admitted that was the first I had heard of that happening, but a few weeks before, I was bending over to the squirrels’ level, talking to them and putting peanuts down on the pathway, then, when I turned away to start walking, I noticed about ten Canada geese were close enough to “goose” me – yikes! (Good thing I turned around when I did.)
I only intended to walk one loop, feed my feathered and furry pals, then head to Elizabeth Park to do basically the same thing, only a bigger venue. Since rain was predicted the next day, I decided I’d stop here and treat the “regulars” first. I meandered along, tossing peanuts, taking a few pictures, and, I have to admit, I was looking over my shoulder as a gaggle of geese was grazing in the donut area of the walking loop where I was strolling.
Everything was peaceful and hunky dory; all that soon would change.
When I first appeared on the perimeter path, everyone, i.e. the usual peanuts gang, was on high alert that peanuts would soon be hitting the asphalt path.
The squirrels positioned themselves to greet me, having scurried down their respective trees from their nests high above.
The blue jay hovered nearby on a bare branch, deciding when and where to make his swoop down to grab a peanut … or two … or three. The cardinal carefully calculated the best spot to retrieve his peanut, as he is more timid and not as pushy as his blue counterpart, the conniving jay.
Sometimes, in the stillness of my morning walk, not only do I hear the peanut shells falling quietly onto the path as nuts are enjoyed, but I swear I can hear the gears clicking in the brains of my furry and feathered friends, as they anticipate their next move.
The Peanuts Gang – nope, not what you’d think.
In this particular tree-lined area, where many of the squirrels gather, they came scurrying over and I dropped a lot of peanuts, as I knew I would be leaving soon. Whether the geese were savvy enough to equate the plastic bag of peanuts as food for them, or, they were especially hungry and decided peanuts were on their breakfast menu, I don’t know, but this is how the scene unfolded.
“Linda – do something NOW!”
The squirrels, jay and cardinal were stunned by this revelation that the geese should be nervy enough to be feasting on THEIR peanuts. They looked at me, which I suppose was akin to “Linda – do something NOW!” So what’s a walker/peanut feeder to do? I waited until the geese gobbled up the last peanut (and I believe they ate shells and all – ugh) and waddled away, then I put down more peanuts for my pals. The “regulars” were quite aghast with the geese as you see below.
The sad saga ended once the peanuts were gone, and, as mentioned above, I fed the squirrels and birds once the last goose waddled back to graze on the grass and everyone lived happily ever after.
[Header image of the pile of peanuts from Pinterest]
Linda Schaub
WALKIN', WRITIN', WIT & WHIMSY 
Oh, my, goodness…I’ve never heard of the geese wanting peanuts either! You captured wonderful photos to go with your words! LOL – I can just see you all standing there wondering what the heck just happened to the routine of peanut sharing! Thanks for the smiles this morning, Linda :-)!
LikeLiked by 3 people
I’ve never heard of that either Shelley – I was amazed when the other walker told me, though I once had a mute swan come out of the water and chase after me and I didn’t know what to do (except climb up on a park bench and it was the middle of Winter and didn’t know if it was icy or not as we had had a lot of snow). I had been to another park the week before and people were feeding a swan at the shoreline. I had nothing to feed it, so I gave it some peanuts. I remembered that and tossed him some peanuts from a Ziploc bag and he stopped to eat them so I made a quick getaway. If you scroll down about halfway through this post, you can see the swan happily eating peanuts – the nuts saved me from being run over by an angry swan! https://lindaschaubblog.net/2018/03/04/brr-burrs-and-birds/
LikeLiked by 2 people
Very interesting – I guess they adapt to the space they inhabit and what food they can easily find. In our park there are signs not to feed them so that they eat the park food instead. But it’s a much smaller park than the ones you visit.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is a very small Park Shelley – the other ones I go to are much larger and there are signs there not to feed the geese. I guess it is okay to feed the ducks as people bring corn to give to them … I don’t know why the geese did this and they’ve not done it before and I hope it is not a new trend. They had plenty of grass and it was a mild day and no snow on the ground? My poor little buddies – I fed them after the geese left and left more peanuts on the picnic table as well where the geese can’t get to … I am worried about them this morning – another cold and icy day and I’m headed out to run the car, but no walk, much too icy this morning.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I loved your photo narrative. Squirts!!! I’m still laughing at your choice of words.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Anne – it was pretty funny what happened that morning. I have never seen the geese go after the peanuts and I’ve been walking there since 2013. I remember when I was a kid, I had a playmate and her dad would call us “squirts” so I decided to use it … I thought about “pipsqueaks” but “squirts” worked better. That’s probably an archaic saying now. The deadpan looks on the squirrels’ faces after being wronged by the geese was priceless.
LikeLike
Your whole post was priceless.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad you liked it Anne – I had fun putting it together. I have some photos of ducks bathing on one of the warmer days we had in December and I am hoping I can add some humor to those pictures too.
LikeLike
You are good at it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, and I was lucky to have good subjects with expressive faces!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A sunny day! Nothing like Jays and Cardinals to brighten up any moment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes Fred, we have had so few sunny days in late Fall and Winter thus far, that on a sunny day it sure is a joyous occasion. I took some shadow pictures of Parker and me on a very sunny day around Christmas and the long shadows are fun to use every so often in a post.
I agree – the Winter is brightened by these beautiful birds. The cardinals are not as plentiful as the jays here. They get anxious when they realize they can fly down for a peanut. They’ll study the ground a very long time and often alight onto the ground, like this one did, in order to grab-n-go quicker. The jays just swoop down from a tree and go for it..
LikeLike
Who would have thought that geese would like peanuts!! Not me! I sure love the cardinals and blue jays you get. Wonderful post that made me smile first thing this morning! Thanks for another delightful post Linda! 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
That was a first for me Sabine and I’ve been walking at this Park since 2013! A few years ago I saw a mute swan mid-Winter at another park and he was at the shoreline and people had gathered and were feeding him food like bananas, grapes and lettuce. I had nothing to offer him but peanuts, which he gladly took. So when a mute swan chased me down not long afterward, all I had was peanuts to offer him and it stopped him in his tracks thank goodness. If you scroll down halfway in this post you can see the swan happily noshing on nuts:
Glad to give you a smile first thing in the morning. The jays and cardinals are a big delight at the Park as well as the squirrels. The blue jay is a little more aggressive and if I walk along, he will follow me from tree to tree, screeching the entire time, until he goes down after a peanut.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Swans can be mean! We had them in Germany and I remember them chasing people off. The only time I’ve ever seen cardinals live was when we were in Hawaii. It surprised me because I did not expect that. And your jays behave just like ours, despite their different looks! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, the swans are mean and that one came right out of the water after me and I was only taking its picture, nothing else and they were paddling around in the Creek and nowhere near me. The cardinals are more timid and will fly to the ground and inch over with short hops to where the peanuts are and they fly across the path once they retrieve it/them and make a hasty getaway, wherein the jay just swoops right down in front of the squirrels and is fearless … that big beak makes him quite aggressive just like your jays I am sure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
the Geese might not have much food around and so are trying other sources Linda?
I’ll ask a friend who might know more about their behaviour.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well it surprised me Wayne, because it was a first and I’ve walked at this Park since May of 2013. I did see a mute swan eat peanuts that I tossed to him when he chased after me. It looks like you viewed the post so I won’t include it here. The odd thing is that the temps that day were mild and they had no problem grazing on the grass as it was above 50 degrees?
LikeLike
I asked a friend who is a bird expert. This was his response …….” it’s likely they are like mallards in city parks that will eat bread crumbs etc. A little surprising they will eat peanuts though.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for asking your friend Wayne. I have never seen this happen with the geese – neither had the other walker. I don’t know if they saw the bag, and I have been wondering if someone new comes to the Park and is feeding the geese and the geese saw my bag and made a connection of some sort that I had bread for them? I used to take bread for the geese and one time I fed them, more came along and I had no more bread and the rest of the geese charged at me. That was the last time I fed the geese – they are not to be trifled with. The ground was not frozen and there was plenty of grass to graze on – they left the grass to come get peanuts … I could understand if it was Winter and there was no grass and no reeds to nibble on. I left more peanuts for the squirrels on the picnic table before I left … hopefully it does not persist.
LikeLike
the look on your furry friends was amusing.
The Geese are much bigger and so can bully their way around!
Dip the peanuts in grape juice?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes my furry friends clearly were not amused and were pretty transparent in their feelings about the geese overtaking THEIR treats! The geese even scared the jay who is pretty fearless when it comes to peanuts. The jay will swoop down right in front of the squirrels and grab peanuts – no fear there. The cardinal holds back until “the coast is clear” and then goes in for a peanut. I hate bullies and I will leave the peanuts on the picnic table if it persists – the geese won’t fly under the roof – no clearance and can’t fly up to the tables. I never thought about the grape juice – that is a great idea! They’ll run the other way then as they despise it. That will have to be my Plan “B”!
LikeLike
yes,I hate bullies! When I feed my crow friends down at the boat shed the Gulls come running in biting at anyone in their way! They literally are so close to me that they bump into me sometimes!
I just had a terrific idea! I’m going to drench some bread with Tabasco! Lets see how they fly after that……..after burners ON!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hate them too and gulls will invite themselves to the party anytime I take bread or oyster crackers for the ducks at Heritage Park or down on the River –
they come right on over. Even squeezing onto the ice floes last year at the River when the ducks were not fast enough, the gulls took over. I have a high school friend who moved to North Carolina and grew cherry tomatoes on her deck – she tried growing them in the yard but the squirrels and birds would eat them so she put them in pots on the deck. She painstakingly painted each cherry tomato with Tabasco sauce until it was big enough and ripe enough to pick. If the gulls eat bread with Tabasco sauce, maybe they won’t bother you anymore!
LikeLike
I will let you know how they react? Her tomatoes must of had a kick to them I bet!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I’d like to know. The gulls will head for the water for a big gulp as their mouths are on fire. My friend painted those cherry tomatoes with Tabasco sauce for one Summer and never grew them again and the reason was, because when it rained it would wash the Tabasco sauce off and she’d have to “repaint” each little tomato again! If she watered the tomato plants herself, she could put the nozzle down low, but rain she couldn’t help that, and had nowhere to move the plants under cover. She decided it was cheaper and easier to just buy them at the grocery store!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I had a cat hanging around my hummingbird feeder. It was grabbing and killing them. I saw where it was hiding, so one day I sprayed the spot with bear spray. Thinking it wouldn’t like it but once it rained it all disappeared.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wouldn’t like that either if it was attacking your hummers. That’s too bad, you’d think the strong spray smell would have stayed. Did you come up with another solution for the cat to stay away?
LikeLike
I have a 22 cal. pellet pistol. I pump it up but do not put a pellet in and fire it at the cat. Very loud!! It scrams right away! So now when It hears me pumping the pistol up, it takes off like bat out of hell!
So my hazing has worked!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good idea – it should not be messing with the hummers. Probably loses one of its nine lives each time you do that!
LikeLike
Very funny story (as it was told — I’m sure the squirrels didn’t think so)!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you liked it Kate and it was funny to watch it unfold. Had the other walker not told me, I would have been shocked to see the geese ambling toward us. There was plenty of grass and not a drop of snow, so why they chose peanuts over grass I sure don’t know, but I do think the squirrels were miffed as they stood and watched – you can tell by the looks on their faces and their body language. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank goodness you had enough peanuts for all! The squirrels and birds were very patient. They must have trusted you to provide for them. Your peanut bill probably just doubled!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, I was lucky Laurie that I had a whole bag of peanuts as I was going next to Elizabeth Park with all the squirrels and birds and bird feeders. So I had extra treats, and, I had packed some sunflower seeds for the birds/squirrels at the other park, so I could be generous and help them get over the incident with the geese. I know they were taken aback by the looks on their faces. I just went and got more peanuts earlier this week as the last time I went shopping they only had three packages … I’m good for a while now!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are too good to your furry and feathered friends. Now they get a choice of sunflower seeds OR (and?) peanuts!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I put the raw or roasted shelled sunflower seeds in my oatmeal and a few weeks ago, I opened one of the small bags of them and there was a big dark object inside the bag when I went to pour it in the oatmeal. I suspect it was a shell that got mangled somehow but didn’t like the looks of it, so fished it out and took the seeds to Elizabeth Park with me – the birds at that park went crazy for those seeds which I scattered on a memorial plaque on the ground. Others scatter seeds there too. I will show the birds eating it in a post later this month. It is at a memorial tree and someone has placed 4-5 feeders on the tree and a nearby shepherd’s hook. I’m guessing the person whom they are remembering was a nature lover. People go and fill up the feeders all Fall and Winter long – it is really nice to watch those birds flitting about.
LikeLike
A wonderful post Linda – captions, pictures everything! Priceless! But I hope those geese don’t make a habit of it. Why do you suppose they have started doing that? What do they usually dine on?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Joni. This was such a fun post to put together as I was glad the other walker told me about the geese, so I was kind of in tune that they might do that and they had been so close behind me a few days before. They sneaked up behind me that other day and I usually stay a fair pace from them as they get angry, hiss and flap their wings. So I was watching them out of one eye, laid down peanuts and the squirrels and birds were ready to pounce and there came the geese. The looks on the squirrels/birds’ faces as they watched – you could not help but take pictures and my mind was already figuring out that this would be a fun post if the pics all came out and a great story to tell. The one goose I cut off the head, but the way they attacked the peanuts – just unbelievable and I used the photo anyway. I don’t get it as they were grazing and the ground was not frozen as we’d had warm weather (50s) since Christmastime. They usually feed on grass or reeds in the Creek. This has never happened before and I hope it does not continue, otherwise I’ll stay close to the squirrels so they can get their peanuts. I forgot to say in the post, that I left extra peanuts on the picnic table where the geese could not get them even though I fed them after the geese waddled off. I hope we have better weather tomorrow morning – it is icy again and I can’t get to the Park and others likely will not walk either … the squirrels likely will not come out of their nests so won’t be looking for food.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Loved the captions. I enjoyed every word and picture and squirt( they are my favourites)- the poor geese must be winter hungry- the day when Harry the Heron will join the hungry crowd is not very far away I think.
I wish someone would take a picture of you with all the critters around you – I want to see it so much.
Susie
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad you liked the pictures and captions Susie – I did have some fun with this post, from watching the scene unfold to taking the pictures. Because the other walker told me of his experience, I was wary if it happened so had the camera and peanuts ready. They had grass to graze on so I have no idea why they took the peanuts I put down for the other critters. I must take a can of sardines one day for Harry – what a great photo opportunity? Since I don’t have a smartphone to take a selfie and don’t know how to use the timer on the camera, I will have to ask someone to take a “Snow White” picture – maybe this Summer? Today, we have our second day of ice, so I will dash out to run the car and dash back and cross my fingers that the boys and girls at the Park stay in their nests and don’t look for me or any other walkers that feed them peanuts – we have some new folks feeding peanuts – I’m glad for that because if it is wintry weather with ice and snow, I may not make it down for days … I still have Grady and his gray squirrel friend that I have named “Johnny” as he is “Johny on the spot” every time I appear outside the house – have you heard that expression? It is a rather old-fashioned expression and you are younger than me … 🙂 A few other squirrels and birds are looking for me right now – I am late leaving the house as I lingered here on the computer and their tummies are rumbling.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh my gosh Linda, you really captured some great photos! They really do tell the story. How dare those geese!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank Ruth – I anticipated this might happen after the other walker told me what happened to him, and I was ready with the camera – so I was lucky and watched the scene unfold. The squirrels and birds were horrified! I’m glad you enjoyed watching what happened and I probably could have skipped the story and just used the pictures and captions! Those geese were very nervy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What an amazing turn of events. I’m not crazy about geese and to think that they’ll eat [steal?] peanuts meant for cute little squirrels… well I’m flabbergasted. Your photos of the event are a delight. Wonder if it’ll happen again?
LikeLiked by 1 person
It sure was an amazing turn of events and I’ve never seen it before and have walked there since 2013. I hope it is not going to keep happening, as I don’t want to be feeding the geese and have them stealing my little guys’ peanuts. I did leave some peanuts on the picnic table under the pavilion roof – if it keeps happening, that will be my option going forward as I don’t think the geese can fly up there. I’ve not been back most of this week as we’ve had ice and some snow and Monday I did errands – someone/something always ruins things for others as the saying goes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the looks on the squirrel’s faces. Nice captures! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Rebecca – their faces really showed dismay, if not horror, at what was going on. I had laid down quite a few peanuts as I was ready to leave to go to a bigger park, so I guess they could see breakfast gone and wondered would there be more?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Greedy Canada Geese!
Do you buy your peanuts in bulk from an animal feed place? Hope they give you a good deal! You must go through a lot of them in a year.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I hate what those geese did Margy and it is a first for me in almost 7 years of walking at that park. I do not buy the peanuts in bulk as there is an animal feed store nearby, but they don’t sell bulk peanuts. Nor do the pet stores like PetSmart or Petco. The grocery stores used to sell them but now it is just in packages. They don’t even have walnuts or chestnuts in bulk at the grocery store anymore or I would treat them to those type of nuts sometimes. Someone at a larger park told me he goes to a produce market near his house – it’s not near me, but I think I will make a trip in better weather when I know I will be going out daily. I’ve been buying just the packaged peanuts for years now. I do go through a lot of peanuts because I have a few squirrels and birds that I feed here at the house. I lay out peanuts every morning when I go out and they get them, not in a feeder, just loose. I have two gray squirrels, a black squirrel, Fox squirrel, a couple of jays and a couple of cardinals – all regular visitors. Sometimes I am greeted when I return from walking in a subtle nudge like “we ate our peanuts – do you have any more to spare?”
LikeLiked by 2 people
OMG I can’t stop laughing! So did they goose you? 😂🤣😂🤣 Those picture are so good!!!! I love all the colors!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This was a fun post to put together Diane. They did not goose me that day but they sure came close the time before – I happened to turn around and they were right behind me. I figure they saw my bag and figured I had treats for them. The look on the squirrels’ faces … a combination of disgust and amazement. 🙂 Glad you liked the pictures and the colors and I gave you a smile.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear walker/peanut feeder……………………I love the picture of the white bellied squirrel…………………………no……………I sure never seen a goose eat a peanut………………..Hmmmmm……………………………maybe i should try to feed the geese (at our apartment pond)…………………..peanuts………………………Nah…………………………they’d be at my door all the time!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Ann Marie – nope, I’ve never seen this happen before. The one swan who chased after me in the Spring of 2018, so I tossed out the peanuts I had handy as I’d been feeding the squirrels and birds, and he stopped in his tracks (whew!) This was a first for me and the other walker who was there before me as well. Those gray squirrels with the white bellies are beyond cut – but don’t tell Parker I said that. I have a couple gray squirrels around my house that I am feeding peanuts to. I just poked my head out into the pouring rain and fed them … they were sitting on the sidewalk patiently waiting for their peanuts. 🙂 I wouldn’t start feeding your geese peanuts either … they have enough attitude already!
LikeLike
Those peanuts look so good. If I were walking with you I doubt those adorable squirrels would have any peanuts left for them…I’d eat’em all! hahahaha, no, seriously, they look yummy.
All your pictures are breathtaking, Linda. It is so nice to read your posts, and calming. Your blogs relax my soul and mind. Thank you 💚
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Martha – I am glad you are enjoying the posts. I took a lot of pictures in December since we had good weather.
Today it has been raining for nearly 24 hours – very strange weather for Michigan.
This post was really fun to do as I really got a kick out of the squirrels’ indignation over the geese stealing their peanuts. They probably knew I was a sucker and would give them more after the geese left, plus I left some on the picnic table where the geese could not reach. But the looks on their faces was just priceless. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is a lot of rain, Linda. Weather is acting strange around the world, isn’t it? Look at Australia, I feel so bad for them.
The geese stealing the peanuts …. must have been hilarious and cute at the same time to see, well, not so much for the squirrels, huh?
Having fun in nature, around nature, with natures is priceless, indeed, my good friend. 💚
LikeLiked by 1 person
We had more freezing rain last night mixed with some snow – and another stormn end of this week Martha. I hope the weather improves mid-week so I can get down there and give my pals some peanuts – I’ll leave them up high. It is sad what is happening with the weather all around the world, especially Austrialia when I have heard that whole species of birds and animals that are native to Australia have been wiped out. So sad, including that video of the koala bear drinking from the bicyclist’s water bottle last week. Broke my heart.
LikeLike
Sorry that I’m late to the peanut party (I get all of your posts for the week bunched together on one day)! I love the pictures of the squirrels small birds looking aghast at the geese gobbling up the peanuts… how dare they? Thank goodness you brought enough to feed them too. You are a good soul, Linda.
LikeLiked by 2 people
No problem Janis and I am trying to post less over the Winter since the landscape is kind of blah at most of the parks right now, even if the snow arrives … it looks good for one day, then it is dirty or full of tracks. I have a lot of photos from December to use up anyway. I did have some fun putting together this post as the other walker had mentioned the geese and their odd behavior, so I anticipated it. I’m glad you got a kick out of the squirrels and birds watching the geese in horror. I did have extra peanuts for them as I was headed to another park afterward where there are more squirrels, so had a whole new bag. Thank you Janis … feeding the critters gives them sustenance and me joy in watching them, plus fodder for blog posts as well!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This was fun! Great photos of the peanut feeding adventure –
My fav was-
“You all must cease and desist this nonsense immediately!”
LikeLiked by 2 people
Glad you liked it Yvette – it was fun putting the post together. The looks on the critters’ faces and I imagined that thought bubble over the fox squirrel’s head. He was mad but knew he was no match for those huge geese.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great Photos, you do have a photo of an actual gray squirrel, I have seen a couple of them around here. What a wonderful way to relax, going to the park and watching all the animals. I love that. I went down to the Mississippi river last year during winter, and a flock of geese were standing on the ice. I say a goose trying to eat something, so I zoomed in on it with my camera, and it had a small fish in its mouth, trying to eat it. He never did eat it, I don’t think they can. But it was so interesting to watch. Great Post. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks – glad you like this post Sandra. I am not a photographer, but I am a walker trying to improve my photography, and I was in the right place at the right time, especially to catch the real look of horror on the squirrels’ faces. 🙂 When we moved here to SE Michigan from Canada in 1966, we saw Fox squirrels for the first time ever – in Canada, especially in Toronto, it was just black squirrels – no black squirrels here. Now I see them everywhere and more and more of the cute gray squirrels (not as cute as Mittens but still very cute). My walk to the Park is the highlight of my day – it is just a mile from my home and on the weekends, I often stop there first, then go on to other larger parks. Elizabeth Park is also a haven for squirrels and birds … my nature nirvana and an escape from reality. I am headed out shortly and hope to get there again tomorrow before this big storm hits on Friday night which may keep me away a few days.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your photos take me with you on your walks. Like I am right there, that is what I love about photography, seeing others photos takes me to places I may never go. But in my imagination I am there. I am like you, everyday I get out and walk or ride a bike depending on weather. It is the best transportation, more fun then in a car. Even if it is raining, I walk, not as many people out then. It is totally an escape from reality. Walking outside is a comfort for me. Have a great day. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for saying that Sandra – I have told many people that starting the walking regimen in 2011 was the best thing I ever did for myself. When I worked on site in Detroit, I took the bus for many years and I’d see people walking along Fort Street where I caught the bus – not an exceptionally nice venue along a busy street, but there they were, day after day, and I told myself one day I would do that as well. I got laid off and then hired back but not full time and I work from home now, so I am like those folks. I like walking in the morning – it is peaceful and still and more critters are out. If I don’t go out early, the Parks are too lively with people, not with wildlife – yes, I feel the same way that you do. Last year was the first time I walked in the rain willingly – fellow bloggers would say “walk in the rain – it is a whole different experience” and I’d say “I took the bus for years and had to go out in the rain and wait on the bus – it was no fun!” But I bought a pair of waterproof walking shoes and also a pair of vinyl boots as so many of my favorite parks were waterlogged last year – the trails were muddy and closed off and the cement or asphalt walking paths were filled with water. Luckily, my favorite nearby park is high enough above the Creek that I’ve never seen flooding there despite the high water level all through 2019. Walking is a great way to clear your mind – because of it, I started the blog and a renewed interest in photography.
LikeLike
Is that not incredible the paths that are put in front of us. You and I are very similar. I was always interested in photography but was to distracted with what I thought was life to learn more about it. I was able to retire a couple years ago, and I just started learning everything I could about it. Which takes me out and about everyday. I had read a mans story awhile ago. He said he walked everyday weather it was raining or not, he said I have an umbrella, with a chuckle. I thought, so do I, why am I not walking on rainy days. His simple words made me realize I to can go out in bad weather. We can learn so much from others, just the simple things. I have never been to Detroit, I was born in Pontiac Mi. and grew up in the Upper Peninsula, That is where I spend my summers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, we are very similar Sandra. I look at my getting laid off and being able to get outside, instead of trudging off to work every morning as a blessing. I look forward to retirement so I can get out and walk any time of the day (as so often the mornings are heavy rain or ice and snow, but later it clears up nicely), and for longer periods of time, instead of just waiting for weekends or holidays and being at the mercy of the weather. I have such a greater appreciation of nature since walking, because now I, just like you, have more time to look around and watch what is going on around me – may we never lose that wide-eyed wonderment. Funny, because a fellow blogger who lives in Tofino, British Columbia, could not understand my reluctance to walk in the rain – he kept saying “buy yourself a pair of rubber boots and a big umbrella and just get outside like I do.” Wayne (Tofino Photography) is a wildlife photographer there and I understand from him and other bloggers who live on different areas of Vancouver Island, that they have rain more than 200 days a year. Right now Tofino has a rainy season from late October through about March. Torrential rain every day – one blogger is an avid runner and told me “if I didn’t get used to the rain, I’d never get out and run.” This week they even were hit with a snowstorm. Their theory of getting out in the rain changed my tune a little … I’m not fond of walking in the real cold rain though – I’m working on that. We are having an ugly weather weekend here and depending on what part of Michigan you live in, snow will slam us between 3 to 8 inches. In my area it will be 3 inches and heavy, followed by freezing rain in the afternoon. That will halt walking for a little bit. I’ve never been to Pontiac, but was in the Upper Peninsula once in the 60s – my boss has friends with a place near Hiawatha Forest and he goes up there several times a year to visit. I’m originally from Canada and still a Canadian citizen, though I’ve lived here since 1966. I’m going to walk this morning and load up my friends with peanuts on the picnic table as it may be a few days until I get back there again. Have a good day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You have a wonderful day also. Morning is my time also for getting out. I have more energy in the morning then evening. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks – and it is peaceful this time of day. The older I get, the less energy I have at the end of the work day, even though I sit all day long, but, especially in the Summer, when I try to get 5 miles a day in before I start work at 11:00 and the humidity is a killer sometimes, sapping your energy. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Always be aware of geese… my family were once chased by I think it was swans, but not sure if it was really geese.
I’m glad they got the peanuts in the end. I loved loved loved this post. I loved hearing how you hear them! Does this mean you need extra nuts?
Love, light and glitter
LikeLiked by 1 person
I just bought another 14 bags of peanuts a week ago Monday. The time before the store only had three bags and I don’t usually get that low on them but I feed at the Park, and then outside my house, and there are a few squirrels plus I have at a new place I discovered where a bunch of squirrels and
birds are so have been going there as well – my peanut supply was dwindling! Love, light and glitter!
LikeLike
I hope you can get a big bag one day. Cool that you have enough now! I love that they all really do know you.
💖🕯🌠
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I just bought a bunch of bags of peanuts last Monday when I was at the store – they were almost out in December and I got the last three bags – I’m going to write about that tomorrow. I was fine until starting to feed the squirrels around the house and if I go to the big park I take a whole bag of peanuts, so they start going down. We can’t buy loose peanuts around here – going to look around but the bulk stores have all gone out of business. We used to have bulk food stores on every corner it seems. I won’t get to my regular Park for a little longer and it is bitter cold again today. I worry about them as they can’t dig up what they buried in the ground.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, you were saying the same last year. Maybe one day you’ll see them somewhere and stock up… (((hugs)))
LikeLiked by 1 person
I sure don’t want to disappoint them and they are all hungry – you should see when I step outside my door every morning. 🙂 You will see in today’s post where I featured Grady. (((hugs)))
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great photos! The pic of the blue jay mid-hop was a good catch. You have an attentive crew there for sure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Kirk – glad you liked them and thank you for following my blog – as a fellow squirrel lover, you’ll find plenty of posts about our furry friends. I really like the jays and cardinals and always feel lucky when I’m able to get a jay shot at this Park as they swoop in so quickly and are off again. At Elizabeth Park, they stay put longer. The cardinals take their time and timidly venture over for a peanut, so i’m able to get them in a shot, but they are smaller birds and the pics are not so close-up and vibrant. I anticipated those geese might be problematic since a walker coming off the walking trail told me that the geese were all over his peanuts – a first for him; a first for me. Unfortunately, it has happened a few more times. I wrote the DNR and sent the pictures of the peanut-eating geese and said this was unusual and they suggested it was easier for them to get food from a human than forage. My issue was it was clear as a bell, no snow for days and they had easy access to the grass. In fact, they had been grazing on that grass when they came waddling over. This is what the DNR told me:
“It sounds like these geese have been habituated to look for food from humans at this point. The best thing to do would be to remove that temptation until the geese move on. Waterfowl learn quickly when given food by people, so they will always go for that free and easy food source.”
LikeLike
It seems like you have corrupted the geese into peanut lovers like the rest of your special friends. I love it ❤
LikeLike
Fantastic post! I love the pictures and the story is priceless. 🙂 The expression on the face of the first Canada goose is so inquisitive as he’s checking out the situation. I wonder why they were so hungry? Anyhow, I loved the squirrels looking at you from the trees in anticipation and then them watching in horror as the geese ate all their food and then the looks of relief after they finally got a chance to eat. What an adorable bunch of squirrels you’ve got there. 🙂 💙
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Barbara – It was a little funny and it lasted for a couple of weeks that this small “band of geese” like a group of warriors, continued to help themselves to the squirrels’ food. Arnie had noticed it too. They are really adorable squirrels and I laughed as their shocked expressions mirrored their thoughts … they’d look at me as if to say “fix this Linda!” I never saw the geese do this again and hope it is the last time. What I didn’t understand either was that we had grass for them to graze on … we had not had much snow, so at that time, there were lots of places for them to graze.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: Kindred souls. | WALKIN', WRITIN', WIT & WHIMSY