There’s nothing stopping us walkers now!
I breathed a sigh of relief and was grateful when it was announced on local social media that Council Point Park would re-open on June 2nd. The re-opening might have been in conjunction with the Governor’s June 1st declaration that after 70 days of lockdown, the Stay-Home/Stay-Safe Order was set aside. However, since Day #1 of the Order, (March 24th at 12:01 a.m.), Michiganders were always encouraged to get outside and enjoy the fresh air and bike, hike or walk – it was the Mayor who ordered all 22 City parks closed effective May 1st due to a high incidence of deaths/cases in our City.
So yes, we are officially out of lockdown, except for gyms, hair/nail salons, tattoo parlors and casinos. How does it feel? Well, you know I am smilin’!
It was just not the same walking in the ‘hood, though I’ve collected a bounty of photos to share in a few days. The ‘hood was good for smiles and “good mornings” to fellow Lincoln Parkers out walking their dogs, or grabbing the newspaper from the driveway, setting up the sprinkler, or sipping coffee on the porch while in their robes and fuzzy slippers.
Yes, I visited with Parker and his pals who raced over one by one and were rewarded with peanuts. I didn’t see too many Cardinals and Bluejays while traveling the old familiar path and hopefully I’ve not lost my rapport with them. Isn’t the expression “absence makes the heart grow fonder?” So, show me the love birdies.
I saw a pretty Goldfinch foraging for food since the thistles are not yet ready and many Sparrows had lined up on the garbage cans looking for handouts just like before. Harry the Heron was MIA, but the geese and their goslings were plentiful (along with poop a’plenty since the families have had the place to themselves, so, if they felt like travelin’ along the perimeter path, there were no humans to get in their way). I did a lot of side-steppin’ while grumbling about it. I was not the only one grumbling, as I walked past one group of grazing geese and I am sure I detected a look of disdain on the face of one gander, as if to say “well, oh goody … look who’s back, the pain-in-the-neck woman with the camera!”
The fun part of the morning was seeing this mess o’ goslings when I got close to the cement landing, two families, but wait … there had to be more than two families here – just look at them from afar! One set of adult geese (most likely the parents of the offspring) was watchful of each brood.
I tried counting those feathery babies, but gave up trying, as they were all flopped down on the ground and nestled against one another. So, do YOU want to hazard a guess how many goslings there were altogether? I was never good at guessing the amount of jellybeans in a candy jar, or dried beans in a mason jar, at the county fair – perhaps you were?
I decided counting goslings might be better when I had the photos on the screen, so I could just hone in on each family and eyeball them that way. Interestingly, all the goslings appeared to be the same age, unlike the range of ages you saw in my recent post about the geese families at BASF Waterfront Park. Checking the goslings out on the screen was a definite improvement over watching the two ganders out of the corner of my eye to ensure they did not take issue with my presence, not to mention the generally disgruntled attitudes of most ganders to begin with.
This is Brood #1.
This brood was the bigger contingent of fuzzy goslings.
This is Brood #2.
This group was not as large, but the norm is about five or six goslings. (Might these have been offspring of some of those peanut-eating geese who scammed the squirrels’ peanuts back at the tail end of 2019 and produced progeny of this magnitude?)
Just as I was comparing brood size, note in this photo below how Mama Goose opened her beak and gave a honk.
That honk signaled EVERYONE should march down to the edge of the cement landing and gently float into the water. Nope, I do not understand, nor speak, “geese-ese” but that is just what happened next as Brood #1 plopped into the Creek, quickly followed by Brood #2.
Brood #1 sped away and one gosling was trailing behind and missed getting in the photo – there were nine goslings.
Brood #2 exited stage left and there were eight goslings in all.
And just like that, they were gone.
Did you guess correctly as to how many goslings? You almost needed all your fingers, or an abacus, because there were seventeen goslings in all.
Gee, it was great to be back.
Linda Schaub
WALKIN', WRITIN', WIT & WHIMSY 
You’ve been set free!! Marvelous! I didn’t try to count the goslings, because they were tiny on my phone screen. Thank you for giving the answer. I’m so happy you can walk freely in the park again.
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Yes, I am ecstatic Anne … the last few days there was only one other person on the perimeter path, so it was kind of quiet, but it’s been very hot and humid the past few days, so maybe that’s why. Even on a computer screen, the huddle of goslings for each brood was difficult to count.
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I remember seeing a bunch of geese at the water’s edge in NY. I tried to count them several times and couldn’t. It had to have been a goose daycare group, because there were only two adults for a swirl of goslings.
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They all seem to meld together after a while and it’s hard to count beaks whether in person or afterward from the photo. I like that idea Anne – a goose daycare group. Surely having 8 or 9 goslings was not the norm!
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That’s too many for one set of parents.
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Yep – the Mama Geese are ready to tear out their hair, er … feathers with that big of a brood!
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Hi Linda I read and enjoyed this post.Glad to read the joy in your words – I know Parker was not starving – is Grady ok ? We see the situation in the US ON TV everyday and I am saddened. Linda – is there any way you could return to Canada ? This place is going crazy. I don’t know how people can’t just wait for the election and get rid of Trump if they choose – why waste all this time ? Killing anyone is wrong – black or white or any other. But putting the blame for everything on Trump is not quite right. It’s America – was built on the years of the Native Americans and the slaves – there is always retribution. I am so sad Linda. Lots of love to you, Susie
Sent from my iPhone
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I am glad you liked this post Susie – once again you beat me to this … I did this post Tuesday night to publish this morning. Yesterday it was still kind of quiet at the Park …. one walker and only a couple of squirrels and no birds. I worry they have gone somewhere else to forage since there are no berry bushes in the Park that are ripe right now and nothing for them to forage. Tuesday a few squirrels in the neighborhood saw me and followed me into the Park but then they did not stay. I hope when I get there today it will be more like before the Park was closed. I have to figure the squirrels and birds have longstanding nests in the Park so will return at some point.
I have not mentioned the squirrels at my house, Grady and his mate or buddy, nor my two black squirrels, Pitch and Tar, and the furless squirrel as I’ve not seen them since Easter. It is unusual and unlike them, especially Grady, who begged relentlessly every time he saw me. I could feed him peanuts two or three times in the morning alone (before/after my walk and still him and his pal begging) … it is too unusual they all have left, so I suspect that perhaps a hawk might have attacked and carried them off. I don’t know that, but I asked my neighbor who was off work for ten weeks during the lockdown and spent a lot of time in his living room watching TV and he said he saw a large hawk across the street in a tree several times a week. I did not know that until I asked – wish I had asked or he had told me that earlier. I feel sick about that and after my neighbor told me about the hawk, I weaned the squirrels and birds off the peanuts and took the set-up away (a little table and wire basket). I can’t tell you how badly I feel if it was my fault for their demise.
On a better and happier note, today’s the day for you – out of quarantine and a new life – hope you and your husband are both well – can you now make arrangements for Sunshine to join you?
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How fabulous to be able to get back again!
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It is Michael – I walked in the neighborhood and took a lot of pics which I will pick through and make a post, but my heart belongs in this Park for my morning meandering … it’s not quite the same yet, only one other walker and critters scarce, but hopefully things return to normal soon.
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Are your walks affected by the protests at all?
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No, not so far Michael, but yesterday they had a two-hour protest in my City, about a mile away from my house. It was peaceful and involved going from the police station in my city to the police station in the next city over. They monopolized a busy street but told the police in advance of their agenda. We do have protests nightly in the heart of downtown Detroit which is about 13 miles from my hours – they had a lot of arrests but it was not local Detroiters; instead they were organizers from out of state or in Michigan suburbs.
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Crazy times indeed but hopefully much good will come of it
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I hope so too Michael. We have five protests today and tomorrow within ten miles from my house- they added a large one for tomorrow which was organized by the same group as my city the other day. I may just be sticking close to home to avoid traffic congestion and being close to any of the marches, though they are considered peaceful as the police are on board, and in some cases, they are marching alongside the protesters.
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Boy they grow so fast, teenagers all ready. I love the photo of you in the crib, 🙂
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Yes, don’t they and these two families must have been born the same time as they were all the same size. I haven’t seen them again – must have had swimming lessons and didn’t see them behind the bushes. Thank you Sandra – I figured I looked like I was in jail, so perfect for this post.
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Free at last! Enjoy your park! I bet those squirrels were wondering what happened to you!
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Yes, I am happy about returning Kate. The other walkers are still scarce, as are the squirrels and birds – hopefully a few more days and more normalcy returns. This Park never floods as the Creek is much lower than the walking path. Given all the rain we’ve had lately, it is never a worry about flooding here, unlike the bigger parks I usually go to on weekends.
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I’m glad you got there!!!
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Me too Ellie!
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Yay! So glad to be able to go there again.
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Yes, for sure Cathy. It’s been quieter than normal. I think most of the walkers are not aware it is open yet. They are not on social media so don’t follow Facebook where I saw it on the neighborhood chat site as well as posted by the City’s official site.
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YAY!!! Great photos of all those geese. We have also been noticing that air traffic has increased again. One thing we did enjoy were the clear skies while it lasted.
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Indeed! Thanks Ruth – all those geese and their goslings were a sight to see. And when Mama “spoke” they all headed down to the water. It was funny. Yesterday the traffic reporter said the traffic had picked up a lot after so many office workers returned to work yesterday. I noticed it too as I took the car for a run yesterday and it was as busy as it was before everything shut down. That was an amazing contrail as the sky was so blue.
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Yay! So glad you got to go back to your favorite haunt again. I bet Parker and all his buddies were so glad to see you. Those birds will come back. If the geese don’t overrun the park first.
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Yes, me too Laurie – the other walkers have not gotten the word yet. I thought they’d be driving by every day checking, but evidently not. I hope the critters all return – I would think they wouldn’t go far since their respective nests are all there. The geese sure do overtake the Park, but once their goslings have fledged, all the geese will be gone until September as they spray the grass with the grape juice concentrate so they won’t stay and graze there.
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Miss Linda…………………………….I’m very happy that your favorite park opened up and you got to treat Mr Parker……………………………..and those goslings sure have grown in the time that you last photoed them………………………….
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I am too Ann Marie – I really missed it. Those little goslings are growing in leaps and bounds aren’t they? That was the first day and I’ve not seen them again!
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So glad you are able to enjoy the park and all the little critters again. That’s a lot of goslings! Nice photos!
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Yes, it is good to be back Rebecca – I’m missing some of the contingent of squirrels and my jays and cardinals which I hope have not strayed to the neighborhoods permanently. They were used to daily handouts of peanuts not only from me but there were other walkers who fed them.
The squirrels might have gotten tired of digging up muddy peanuts, but after the Park closed on May 1st, we had about 10 days where it was very cold and we had some snow on May 8th. Thank you – I was afraid to get too close with that gang and one “sentry” gander giving me a dirty look. ‘It sure is a lot of goslings to manage. 🙂
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Something normal for you to do! Who’d of thunk that something as simple as walking in the park would take on such significance? Enjoy your weekend.
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Thanks Ally – it was a little more like old times this morning. I saw several of the regular walkers and the squirrels are back … I am convinced they were wondering where everyone went that interacted with them, or more importantly, fed them. You enjoy your weekend as well. We have some relief from this oppressive heat for a couple of days. We had a “real feel” in the low 90s today. Too early for that.
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Great pictures of the geese family! What a treat to be able to see two groups of them with their brood. The babies have grown taller; they’ve lost the baby look. We have a park here with big geese and their poop is everywhere. It’s almost impossible to sidestep them and I’m calling out for the kids to watch where they’re going, watch out for the aggressive ones, don’t throw too much oats at one time, etc.. I’m a tired mess after these outings.
So happy to hear that you will resume your regular walks in the park and spoil your furry friends with treats. 🙂
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Glad you liked the pictures Esther – those were larger-than-normal families and yes, the geese are now teenagers. They got big while the Park was closed and lost all that cute fuzziness. Since the Park was closed for one month, the geese have had the Park to themselves and the geese poop is exceptionally bad this year. Usually there are walkers, bikers and rollerbladers on the perimeter path a good part of the day, and though the geese will just congregate in the middle of the path, they don’t do it all the time, and stay on the grass when there are a lot of people around. Not so this time … they did not have to yield to anyone! Yes, you have to watch the geese, especially when they have goslings – the gander will be quite mean if he thinks they are in any danger. I can see how you might be worn out watching and counseling the kids against getting too near the geese. I am happy to be back too – more squirrels were out today, but the birds are still MIA (except the robins).
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The geese parents are large, which makes it intimidating to get near or walk around them. I don’t’ dare bother them in case they fly towards one of my kids. They scream and that could scare the geese.
I appreciate your understanding of my tiredness of taking these guys out! It’s nice to get affirmation of your experiences. 🙂
Enjoy your walks and stay hydrated!
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Yes, I can sense your frustration for sure Esther. The geese are very protective of their goslings – many times they have attacked if someone walked near a nest on a golf course or in a park. We had cooler temps and sunshine three days in a row – heat and humidity tomorrow, then a somewhat stormy week. I worked in the yard most of this past weekend as it was nice weather. I am glad to have that done though and hope for nice weather weekends going forward.
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Yes, you are so ready for nice weather weekends!! What a mix of strange weather patterns you’ve had. When I lived in the East Coast, the first thing I did in the morning was check weather. And when we had nice weather, people always commented about the nice weather. I do miss some of that excitement; in CA, it’s kind of monotonous (I’m not complaining too much).
Eeeek, I didn’t know geese actually attacked. I thought it was more of a threatening posture. That is scary. You take care not to get too close to those gosling parents on your walks!
Have a great start to a new week!!
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I am a weather worrier for sure Esther. Yesterday was the third coolish and beautiful day in a row, and came home form walking and turned the news on and the word “tornado” was in the weather forecast. Now it is in all the weather forecasts from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Wednesday. We are having some bad storms tonight beginning around 8:00, so going to get done here and shut down the computer. I don’t like the tornado threats but our heat spiked to 92 (real feel of 97F) and hot tomorrow too. I know at the Park all the walkers talk about coolish and beautiful days, or in Winter when we have beautiful and clear days – what a treat they are.
Yes, geese are famous for attacking humans, especially if one gets too close to a nest or their goslings. They will flap their wings up and down and if provoked enough, they will fly up and try to knock the person down. It made the national news since it was a local golfer. You can see the photos and the golfers got too close to the nest.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2018/04/25/michigan-golfer-attacked-goose/549476002/
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Deciding what to wear must be tricky! Cold one day and storm in another. A positive thing about having vacillating weather is that it could give a person more flexible attitude. Stay safe!
I know what you mean about the geese flapping their wings and them running towards you. It can give you a real fright. Those student golfers will have interesting stories to tell about the goose attack story with friends and family. True, who ever thought golf could be this dangerous?!! Thanks for sharing. love it. 🙂
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Yes, yesterday was 90, today mid-70s, Saturday low 60s. I like Summer, but not with all the heat and humidity. You are right Esther – you have to have two wardrobes at the ready to accommodate any kind of weather. San Diego – most perfect weather in the world I heard or read somewhere.
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I am so happy for you Linda. I bet all of the critters were happy to see you and look at all those goslings!!!!
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I am happy too Diane. The first few days back were a bit shaky … no other walkers, Park still looking desolate and critterless, except a few squirrels. The birds I fed have not returned, but I’m going to take some sunflower seeds today to try and lure them back. Yesterday I had more squirrels and was happy to see that happen. Those goslings are teenagers now!
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I’m happy to hear your park is open again Linda! I guessed correct – what do I win???
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Good for you Joni – it was hard to tell. Well, you have my undying gratitude and I’ll come up with another prize and let you know. 🙂
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That’s a happy moment for you!
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Oh yes, you better believe it Bindya … the birds are slowly returning to the path, a few Red-Winged-Blackbirds and the Blue Jays, not the Cardinals yet, but I am hopeful.
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That’s wonderful!
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Yippee, you’re freedom has returned. You must be so happy to return 😁
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I was Zena and I think the squirrels are happy too, but the birds have not been as quick to return. No cardinals coming down to the perimeter path to swipe peanuts from the squirrels – I am hopeful that after a month’s closure, they’ll eventually return as well. I have to figure that they have nest in the Park so won’t stray too far away from there.
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