Familiar places (and faces)!

After a month of “March Weather Madness” Mother Nature shone, although she would soon lose her accolades when we had a week of wild, wacky, severe weather following that dazzling day. This is why you seize the day when you get the chance to get out and about!

It was April 11th and my first trip to Heritage Park in 2026. As I was about to step onto the sidewalk that leads me to the historical section, I saw this beautiful Robin, pictured above, a true sign of Spring, although admittedly many of our Robins, Michigan’s State Bird, hang out all Winter now.  Surely it is not because the Winters are nicer than migrating to a warmer climate?  But, there it was, singing away merrily in a tree, until it saw me and got a grumpy look, something that I often see on American Robins’ faces. I find they have a rather sullen demeanor sometimes. 

The Heritage Park flags on every lamp post heralded the current season.

I headed straight to the gazebo area, hoping to see a mess o’ Mallards and Canada Geese, but to my surprise I saw only one Mallard pair, that quickly ducked me by plunging underwater.  I never caught up with them and, for a park that has so many ducks, these were the only ducks, (in and around Coan Lake, anyway).

Happily, I did catch up with some Petting Farm “escapees” later in my walk.

It was a calm day, the water was still and perfect for reflections.   This Canada Goose seemed eager to pose, both profile and head on for me – no I didn’t entice it with corn, fish or treats … there were plenty of fish, though I’m not sure I want to sully this post by including pictures of all the huge, bloated, dead fish floating in Coan Lake.

Just as I went to walk away, my subject gave me the side-eye as if to say “didn’t you want to take any more shots – surely two were not enough!” Perhaps it was shy while preening, but because it continued to look at me, I returned and got these shots.

My next stop would be at the covered bridge where I glanced up into the rafters for signs of Barn Swallow nests – I figured it was too early for that as I don’t usually see them until June and I had guessed correctly.

Likewise, a glance to my left assured me that even though the sun was shining brightly, it was not warm; I was in a Winter coat, hat, gloves and wearing sweats, so I was not surprised the turtles stayed away from their ramp.

It felt good to be back here, ready to watch this lovely park blossom out from the flowering trees, not to mention seeing all the familiar places around the historical area that YOU and I know so well, like the covered bridge …

… the Little Red Schoolhouse …

… or the water-powered Mill.

I would have included the train and caboose and the Old Log Cabin, but there were fences around these familiar sights. Since it was a weekend visit, I couldn’t tell if it was restoration or repairs … so I didn’t take any photos.

If you have followed me for a while, you know my Spring routine – visit Heritage Park in early Spring, stop by the big boulders and look for this young lady and her main squeeze.  I call them Mama and Papa Goose.

Just like clockwork, Mama-to-be was sitting on a nest in the boulders with Papa-to-be close by her side. I have watched and documented this nesting period and then followed up by taking pictures of the family every Spring. I am not an expert in telling these Canada Geese families apart – what I can tell you is that this pair of geese is the first to start their family at Heritage Park. I’ve been following them now for the last five or six years.

This goose is also the only goose that prefers spending approximately 25 – 30 days incubating her eggs on the boulders. Ouch! It’s not always the same side of the bridge either. Notice how she cushions the eggs and around the nest with her own downy feathers. I took pictures from different angles so you could see this downy cushion. It’s more obvious in the second and third photos.

And below you see that Papa Goose was not far away. He watched me very closely, but I think after all these years they both recognize me. He stood on a rock in Coan Lake, studying my every move …

… while his mate shut her eyes, perhaps enjoying a few rays of sun in the 45F/7C morning temps and you see how she drifted off thinking “is that pesky photographer back again?”

While I was taking photos of the pair, a woman came up to me and remarked what an uncomfortable spot Mama Goose had chosen to nest.  I replied “I wonder about her choice too, although she is here every year and I always take pictures of her – with all the people nearby, she must feel safe after all this time.”  The woman seemed surprised that I kept coming back to take photos and I told her it was for my blog and also to “chat it up with the old girl.”  She laughed and said “you must call her by a name, right?”  I replied “I call her “Mrs. Goose” or “Mama Goose” and then added “perhaps I need to have more imagination, don’t I?”

[I did return to photograph the pair’s offspring and you’ll see those shots in this post’s postscript.]

It looks like someone else was in nesting mode. It is not unusual to see most of the lamp post heads with nesting materials and babies in them every Springtime. The lights are open on one side.

The parents-to-be were my primary reason for visiting Heritage Park, although I also hoped to see a little color at the Taylor Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. We had had such rainy and sometimes cold weather that I had not seen a single Crocus or Daffodil in the ‘hood and it was much too early for Tulips.

But, before I get to the Botanical Gardens, I must first meander along Pardee Road past the Petting Farm which is on the outskirts of the Heritage Park Campus. And, as you all know, there are often shenanigans with impromptu meet-ups at and around the Farm.

For example, there is a very loud Blue Ameraucana Rooster that rules the roost at this venue and he crows very loudly and often; well, I got to meet him in person. Doesn’t he strike a stunning profile here? He pranced along Pardee Road in front of the Farm’s fence that is supposed to keep the critters inside the barnyard. I must find out his name. 🙂

As I rounded the corner of the Farm going toward the Botanical Gardens, a passel of domestic ducks came waddling away from the side of the building. They appeared to be on a mission. I was only able to photograph this slowpoke escapee that you see in the foreground. 

The four ducks went straight to the parking lot – not a good thing I thought, but they stayed on the sidewalk, checking out the grass … yes, the grass must be greener (and tastier) on the other side of the fence after all.  They hung out as a group and weren’t all that skittish as I approached them for some photos, even though they eventually turned their backs on me and went off to sample more grass.

Too bad there weren’t two more ducks and it would have looked like the Beatles crossing Abbey Road – these are a Khaki Campbell Duck (left) and an Ancona Duck (right – it is the slowpoke referenced earlier).

The ducks were a little bit fickle or must have tired of their vagabond ways and they eventually headed back to the Farm, each one ducking under the white wooden fence designed to keep the critters contained.

I went to visit the Botanical Gardens and, as you can see in this shot, it was not ready for prime time yet, as that saying goes. 

A huge Christmas wreath was still hung near the not-yet-in-bloom Espalier Pear tree that winds around the arbor entrance to the Gardens and even the Christmas lights were still in place.  I was surprised to see the Christmas tree in the center of the Conservatory, still adorned with decorations and lights.  Well, they usually recruit a slew of volunteers, not only to help with the early Spring and late Fall gardening chores, but to put the Christmas holiday décor away too. 

The Espalier Pear was similarly not ready to be showcased and photographed as you see here.

In front of the Conservatory was a beautiful Weeping Cherry Tree dripping with blossoms.

In the Botanical Gardens I found some cheery-looking Daffodils …

… but that was it for color on this day. It was a great day to be out and about and I lingered a while, knowing, as mentioned above, the upcoming week was predicted to be a washout and fraught with severe weather, which did indeed come to fruition.

Postscript:  I usually return to Heritage Park about every 10 days or so after I first see Mama Goose on her nest.  Since I have no idea how long Mama’s been sitting on that nest, this schedule works best to see the babies.  Because they are always the first geese to proudly show off their young, they’re easy to find.  This Spring was different though.  My car was in the shop, being fixed/painted after I returned from shopping one day to find a huge scrape on the car’s fender.   I finally got the car back on May 12th, hightailed it to Heritage Park the very same day, only to find six different Canada Geese families in different stages of growth.  Hmm – I can only speculate this was the little family as they were the most “grown up” of all the goslings there.

Was there a spark of recognition in the parents’ eyes when they saw me?  I’d like to think so, but that would be my wild imagination perhaps. 

Family ties cannot be broken.

I did observe something interesting as I stood, camera in hand, gazing at the geese families gathered on the grassy slope by Coan Lake.  For no reason that I could fathom, this large gosling decided to chase some small goslings – here he/she is hissing and waddling toward them. 

Watch the reaction of the parents of the younger goslings as Bad, Bad Leroy Brown approaches – see how Mama and Papa react, lowering their heads to the ground, those pink tongues hissing, tail feathers fanned out and their goslings gathered closer to their parents. A lot of drama, but they are defending their family!

Crisis averted thanks to the parents – now it was time to cuddle and snuggle with your favorite sibling!

Terri’s Sunday Stills Challenge this week is:  “Family and Friends” and I’ll be linking to Pepper’s “One Step at a Time” on Tuesday as well as Terri’s “Flower Hour”.

Unknown's avatar

About Linda Schaub

This is my first blog and I enjoy writing each post immensely. I started a walking regimen in 2011 and in 2013 I decided to create a blog as a means of memorializing the people, places and things seen on my daily walks. I have always enjoyed people watching, so my blog is peppered with folks I meet or reflections of characters I have known through the years. Often something piques my interest, or evokes a pleasant memory from my memory bank, so this becomes a “slice o’ life” blog post. I respect and appreciate nature and my interactions with Mother Nature’s gifts is also a common theme. Sometimes the most-ordinary items become fodder for points to ponder over and touch upon. I retired in March 2024 after a career in the legal field. I was a legal secretary for almost 45 years, primarily working in downtown Detroit, then working from my home. I graduated from Wayne State University with a degree in Mass Communications (print journalism) in 1978, though I’ve never worked in that field. I would like to think this blog is the writer in me finally emerging!! Walking and writing have met, shaken hands and the creative juices are flowing in Walkin’, Writin’, Wit & Whimsy. I hope you think so too. - Linda Schaub
This entry was posted in #Flower Hour,, #One step at a time, nature, Seasons, Spring, walk, walking and tagged , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

76 Responses to Familiar places (and faces)!

  1. Marvelous post full of natural wonders!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Linda Schaub's avatar Linda Schaub says:

      Thank you Anne! When Spring unfolds in a four-season state, it is a wonderful time … of course, I’m not sure about how our seasons shake out anymore these days. Two or three days ago I was in a Winter coat and today we got to nearly 90 and had our third storm of the day go through – mercifully, it looks like we are done … until tomorrow when we have the same scenario.

      Like

      • Your weather is brutal.

        Liked by 1 person

      • Linda Schaub's avatar Linda Schaub says:

        I never remember this many storms before Anne … the weatherman keeps saying “it’s Spring and the fluctuation in temperatures brings on storms.” No, this was a hot weather spike and storm and we had another severe storm today when we got 90 degrees. We have another bout of rain this evening, then cooler air for a few days, but Friday through Tuesday will be hot, rainy with a storm or two.

        Like

      • It’s too bad you are not the weatherman. You tell it like it is!

        Liked by 1 person

      • Linda Schaub's avatar Linda Schaub says:

        Yes, you’re right – viewers/listeners wouldn’t like me much!

        Like

      • Linda Schaub's avatar Linda Schaub says:

        Anne – have you ever gotten one of these before? I got three of them today, all in my WP Notifications? I Googled and it looks like it comes from WP and you open it and answer five questions about yourself. I’m not sure I want to do it. I have left all three unread.

        Like

      • No, I haven’t gotten those things.

        Liked by 1 person

      • Linda Schaub's avatar Linda Schaub says:

        Thank you Anne – I just got online a short time ago. It rained here today so I read my book, glad I didn’t have to worry about storms. I just checked my Notifications and I got two more of them. I’m going to reach out to WordPress although I see in Reader we got a post from WordPress so maybe it will shed some light on what this is.

        Liked by 1 person

  2. This is so full of loveliness and truly familiar faces, Linda. I almost shared a couple of the Phoebes in my post about family, or at least as feathered friends. I understand how seeing the same birds each year connects us in ways only nature can. They fledged this week, and I’ll share more next week. Your pics of the geese nesting then the goslings later are just so cute! So glad you saw them.

    We have an active Robin’s nest… I took a quick peek and there are three eggs! Our AirBnBird is getting popular!

    Liked by 2 people

    • Linda Schaub's avatar Linda Schaub says:

      Thank you Terri! I was bummed I couldn’t see Mama’s babies shortly after hatching, but I seized that opportunity to get to this park just as soon as I could finally drive there. The most-wondrous part of monitoring this pair of geese was on Easter Sunday a few years ago when she stepped off the nest and I saw the eggs and her devotion to keeping them protected with her downy feathers. Nature is amazing if you continue to look around you. You’re lucky to see the Phoebes up close, nesting, fledging and now you’ll get to see the Robins as well. Plenty of blog fodder at your AirBnBird! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  3. bushboy's avatar bushboy says:

    Lovely photos. Glad you were able to get back and take some photos Linda

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Your the John Muir of Detroit!

    Liked by 2 people

  5. SelmaMartin's avatar SelmaMartin says:

    Beautiful post. So happy Spring has arrived
    By next week you’ll be without gloves. Enjoy. Thanks for the post

    Liked by 1 person

    • Linda Schaub's avatar Linda Schaub says:

      Thank you Selma – the arrival of Spring and even those early flowers and a glimpse at babies is always a wonderful thing, especially after a brutal Winter like we had here in SE Michigan!

      Like

  6. Pepper's avatar Pepper says:

    All the pics are wonderful, Linda. My favorites are the covered bridge and the red schoolhouse. Wonderful! 😊

    Liked by 1 person

    • Linda Schaub's avatar Linda Schaub says:

      Thank you Pepper! I love the covered bridge and little red schoolhouse as they’re so picturesque. The covered bridge is where people go for prom or homecoming photos as it makes a nice backdrop. I don’t know what they’re doing to the historical section of Heritage Park because when I was there last Tuesday there were fences around a few more buildings than when I was there on April 11th. I usually go here here for my two virtual 5Ks (I go the day before or after the actual event depending on the weather). Plus, they’re adding on to the pavilion area at the Botanical Gardens and building a pickleball court. It seems if it is not road construction, it is park construction of some type, no matter where you go anymore.

      Liked by 1 person

      • Pepper's avatar Pepper says:

        I can see why the covered bridge is a popular place for photographers. Adding on to the Botanical Garden sounds like something worth waiting for. 😉

        Liked by 1 person

      • Linda Schaub's avatar Linda Schaub says:

        Yes, the covered bridge is very picturesque and the Botanical Gardens has a lot of weddings here from Spring through Fall, so they close down the Gardens on those days. The addition will accommodate more people in the open air seating when the weather doesn’t cooperate.

        Liked by 1 person

  7. Anne's avatar Anne says:

    What an intersting series of photographs!

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Hopefully you can put your winter coat and gloves away now! 🙂 Loved all the geese pics. They and the ducks are my favorites.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Linda Schaub's avatar Linda Schaub says:

      It sure is hard to believe that last Friday I was out in a Winter coat, hat and gloves and today we got to near 90. We’ve had severe storms all afternoon and I think the last of them are done now … until tomorrow anyway. I was happy I finally got back to check out Mama’s offspring, even though they were almost teenagers. I can’t get enough of those goslings every Spring. In fact, I’ve already done a post for June about three families of geese from Council Point Park. These domestic ducks are very big and they never stray far from one another, like “partners in crime” when they leave the Petting Farm.

      Liked by 1 person

  9. J P's avatar J P says:

    Now you have me wondering how many years worth of broods a goose couple can have.

    These springtime shots are lovely.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Linda Schaub's avatar Linda Schaub says:

      JP, you piqued my interest too and something I never thought to look into. I am shocked: “A mated pair of Canada geese can breed together for 10 to 20 years, and in rare cases up to 42 years.” Yikes! I know they only breed once a year. No wonder I am always sidestepping goose droppings with all those little ones and their parents! I’m glad you liked the springtime shots. Even though Fall is my favorite season, it is nice to see springtime unfold, even though our Spring has been a little wacky. A few days ago I was in a Winter coat and today we go to 90 degrees with a series of severe storms. I hope you avoided them today.

      Liked by 1 person

  10. Dave's avatar Dave says:

    I usually skim through the duck updates but I enjoyed this “passel” because they each have their own unique look. The photo of the four of them padding down the sidewalk and distracted by something in the grass is wonderful. And your comment about the robin’s singing coming to an abrupt halt when he/she senses an audience… the same as we humans tend to do!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Linda Schaub's avatar Linda Schaub says:

      Dave, these large domestic ducks have a personality all their own and I’ve seen these four “hanging out” before – you may recall I followed the same four through the woods a year or so ago. They sneak out of the Farm together, then return to the Farm together. The Farm has Pekin ducks too – the big white ducks that are the grown-up version of the Easter chicks and they are also “escapees” sometimes. I had a Robin that would try and build a nest in my coach light for years … I’d see a few strands of grass and mud going up there and sweep them down. One year it had time to build a nest, dripping with mud splats on the mailbox and I couldn’t open the front door – you can’t tear a nest down as it’s against the law to do so. Thereafter, every time I was outside, this particular Robin would hop into the garden and pick up mulch and throw it onto the lawn. Having had parakeets and canaries through the years, I dispute the phrase “birdbrain” – birds are very intelligent! Yes, they have characteristics just like we humans do!

      Liked by 1 person

      • Dave's avatar Dave says:

        I keep a close eye on our pesky squirrels (esp. this time of year) but based on your experiences maybe it’s the birds who have the last laugh!

        Liked by 1 person

      • Linda Schaub's avatar Linda Schaub says:

        Yes, you don’t want those pesky squirrels invading your house like before – I know you remember my tale about my grandmother’s squirrels in her attic. I had a battle with this Robin every year and to thwart nestbuilding, I had to stuff the crook of the coach lamp with a newspaper-filled plastic bag. I think that Robin is finally gone as it has not tried to nest for a while now. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  11. Lovely photos, nature is so wonderful!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Linda Schaub's avatar Linda Schaub says:

      Thank you Monica and yes – nature is wonderful, especially for we Midwesterners that suffer through a long Winter – it’s a relief to see colorful flowers and cute goslings. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  12. Marsha's avatar Marsha says:

    Sweet post. I guess Parker is not the only one in your heart! I love that you went back to catch a glimpse of the babies. I also loved this line, LOL. “I saw only one Mallard pair, that quickly ducked me by plunging underwater.” Good one, Linda. 🙂 Those daffodil pictures are fab, too.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Linda Schaub's avatar Linda Schaub says:

      Thanks Marsha! I’ve visited this pair every year and it’s fun to do an entire follow-up post, but this year, I was able to get some add-on photos to supplement the original “story” and to fulfill Terri’s Challenge. You’re the only one that mentioned “ducked” and I used it a second time for the domestic ducks when they returned to the Petting Farm (“each one ducking under the white wooden fence designed to keep the critters contained” – I love a pun. The Botanical Gardens will be beautiful in a few months, with their annuals and all the perennials, but it’s nice to see the early bloomers after a long, brutal Winter.

      Liked by 1 person

      • Marsha's avatar Marsha says:

        My brother, my dad, and my mother’s first cousin are the Kings of puns. I play a distant 4th as the Queen. Sadly, 2 of the three of them are gone, so it’s just Randy and me – King and Queen of Puns in the family! 🙂 xxx

        Liked by 1 person

      • Linda Schaub's avatar Linda Schaub says:

        Punning is fun to do – I’m sorry your punsters have dwindled. J.P., one of my followers, often does a pun for his comment on my Wordless Wednesday posts so I always wish I’d thought of that fun angle for a title first. I had a friend who was quite the pundit and wrote witty limericks. Sadly, Terry T. Brown is now gone, but not forgotten. His obituary notice even mentioned his limericks (“He published a novella and a book of poetry, and could write a limerick on any topic in minutes.”) We need more humor in our lives.

        Liked by 1 person

      • Marsha's avatar Marsha says:

        Amen to that. I think limericks are the easiest to write, too, although tankas are getting easier. The tanka limericck, I had a bit more of a struggle to write.

        Liked by 1 person

      • Linda Schaub's avatar Linda Schaub says:

        A former blogger used to right tankas sometimes … I think someone named Colleen did Tanka Challenges a while back and he participated in them. I like to write fun poems sometimes, like my Easter poem, but I’ve not tried tankas or limericks.

        Liked by 1 person

      • Marsha's avatar Marsha says:

        She’s the same one I’m linking to. She has a team that helps her now. But the one from this week is one of her creations – an experimental tanka limerick. I had a lot of fun trying to create it. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

      • Linda Schaub's avatar Linda Schaub says:

        I admire that people can just sit down and crank out one of these. I just looked at Colleen’s site and wow – six people on her team!

        Liked by 1 person

      • Marsha's avatar Marsha says:

        I know, isn’t that cool. It takes me a while, but I love writing poetry.

        Liked by 1 person

      • Linda Schaub's avatar Linda Schaub says:

        Creativity helps to keep us young!

        Liked by 1 person

      • Marsha's avatar Marsha says:

        My husband says he is going backwards. I hope he doesn’t race ahead of me like Benjamin Button. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  13. Stevens's avatar Stevens says:

    Miss Linda……………………………….that was a delightful story about the early Spring at Heritage Park………………………………………..you’re a great story teller and photographer

    Liked by 1 person

    • Linda Schaub's avatar Linda Schaub says:

      Thank you Ann Marie! Since you are familiar with Heritage Park, I know you, too, have experienced how wonderful it is to see Spring unfold at this pretty park!

      Like

  14. Joni's avatar Joni says:

    Looks like a good day out after all Linda! Loved the Abbey Road ducks and the Rooster who rules the roost!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Linda Schaub's avatar Linda Schaub says:

      Joni, yes, it was a chilly start but a wonderful day for a walk and picture-wise. I was bummed I could not get all four ducks lined up like Abbey Road – I’ve done it once with four geese. That was a beautiful rooster with his colorful feathers and he is very loud so you can hear him whenever you’re on that side of the park! He likes to rule the roost and make the hens toe the line.

      Liked by 1 person

    • Linda Schaub's avatar Linda Schaub says:

      Same park, but they started straying off the road. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  15. Debbie D.'s avatar Debbie D. says:

    Fabulous photo essay from beginning to end! 😍 The hissing geese are hilarious. 😆 Lovely to see those cherry blossoms and cheery daffodils! We are having a two-day heat wave now, but it hasn’t been very spring-like, otherwise.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Linda Schaub's avatar Linda Schaub says:

      Thank you Debbie! It was a chilly, but beautiful day. I hope I wasn’t complaining how chilly it was that day because we have had a similar heat wave here, it got too hot too fast. It was 90F (32C) the last two days and we’ve had severe weather both afternoons. This is not the weather we used to have as Spring would unfold – ugh! The Botanical Gardens’ daffodils were cheery looking and they were the first blooms I’d seen in 2026. The cherry blossoms were beautiful too – I didn’t get back up there to see the Pear trees in bloom. That gosling was so funny – big, tough bully hissing at the smaller goslings.

      Like

  16. All your photos are gorgeous, but I particularly like the one of the robin.

    Liked by 1 person

  17. Fab outing day, I loved Mama Goose on the rocks, she must love that spot for some reason to renest there each year! And of course, the goslings, always adorable. Those colorful buildings and covered bridge are wonderful!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Linda Schaub's avatar Linda Schaub says:

      Thanks Donna! Yes it was a great outing and full of photos which is always good. I’m amazed at this goose nesting there year after year and it cannot be comfortable to be there on those rough boulders for four weeks. I was happy to finally return and check out her brood and the other five families as well. The historical area of this park is picturesque – the old buildings surround Coan Lake. Unfortunately, there is restoration going on all through the park, including several historical buildings, so hopefully they’re done soon.

      Liked by 1 person

  18. Nancy Ruegg's avatar Nancy Ruegg says:

    Isn’t it fun to watch the stages of spring–from crocus and daffodil followed by tulips and roses. You must have visited Heritage Park at just the right time, to see the weeping cherry tree in full bloom. Our tree holds its blossoms for no more than a week! / A small gaggle of geese live near one of the shopping centers I visit occasionally. A week or so ago a mother goose was nesting in one of the large parking lot planters (no flowers yet)! Papa Goose stood on guard several yards away; I made sure to stay clear. ‘Not interested in being hissed at or chased!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Linda Schaub's avatar Linda Schaub says:

      I agree with you Nancy – after the blah landscape of Winter and early Spring, it is such a miracle to see those bulbs pushing their way out of the soil and emerging as colorful blooms. I have a post coming out on the 31st of May about a walk in the neighborhood to photograph early bloomers, something I had to do as we were having a hard freeze that night. My neighbor’s magnolia tree was in bloom on that Sunday afternoon, then the next day, what petals had not blown away in the high winds, were brown from the cold. I was lucky to see that weeping cherry – those are beautiful trees and they’re like the magnolias – you blink or get a gusty wind and the petals are scattered on the lawn. The loyalty of the geese to their mates is amazing – I know this couple must know me by now, but he still kept an eye on my every move. There was a nesting Mallard near the Petting Farm last year and she built a nest in between two hydrangea plants and her mate stood in front of her, guarding her. Nature is always amazing and wonderful!

      Like

  19. ruthsoaper's avatar ruthsoaper says:

    A great post, Linda. A most welcome spring day! It’s amazing to see that pair of geese return every year. I think we have the same thing happening with killdeer at our farm though the nests aren’t in the exact same place. I also wonder if I am seeing the same pair or perhaps some of the babies that were born the previous year. Last year we had a mourning dove that nested in the maple tree above our deck. On Saturday I noticed a robin building a nest in that exact same place. My husband said it must be prime real estate.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Linda Schaub's avatar Linda Schaub says:

      Thank you Ruth! It was a gorgeous Spring day and I hope I didn’t complain about the coolish weather as I’m ready for the same type of coolish weather we’re going to have after this heat wave! I hope your gardens didn’t wash away today in the torrential rain. I am always happy to see this nesting goose every year – she must not mind a month of sitting on those hard boulders. It would be interesting to know if those are the same mated pair of killdeer or their babies that return every year … I’ll bet it is the same adults. Between your mourning dove, killdeer and robin, they know a good, safe place to nest and raise their broods. I hope you’ve seen your bobwhite again too. The robin says “Ruth and her husband like my singing early every morning, so I know I am welcome!”

      Liked by 1 person

  20. trumstravels's avatar trumstravels says:

    Those daffodils are so pretty. We planted bulbs at home but the squirrels dug them up !

    Liked by 1 person

    • Linda Schaub's avatar Linda Schaub says:

      They are so perky looking. My father planted a lot of tulips the Fall that we moved here. I remember he ordered them from Holland. In the Spring, when he did yard clean-up, he found half-eaten tulip bulbs all over the yard – same as you, the squirrels got them. But they missed one bulb that was under a birch tree and that one tulip bloomed every year until the birch tree got birch borer disease and had to be removed.

      Liked by 1 person

  21. Eilene Lyon's avatar Eilene Lyon says:

    That rooster really is a handsome fellow! The goslings are sweet, as always. I wish I could get my daffodils to bloom like that. They are quite stubborn!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Linda Schaub's avatar Linda Schaub says:

      I thought that rooster was handsome too Eilene. He has quite a voice – you can hear him crowing loud and often! I am a sucker for those goslings, especially the youngest ones. I’ve never grown any bulb flowers – theirs are always gorgeous so I should be inspired by them. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  22. Oh, I really like the photos of the 4 ducks walking in the parking lot! They look goofy in their postures and reminds me of a group of kids just walking around the park. I’d love to go inside and see a little red schoolhouse in real life and to spend some time in there. You took a great shot of the covered bridge…the place was empty and you were able to get a clear shot of the bridge. Nice!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Linda Schaub's avatar Linda Schaub says:

      Thanks Esther! Those domestic ducks were a little goofy the way they waddle, the four of them close together … they scoot under the fence to leave and return, all bunched together. It cracks me up. Every year I tell myself I’ll do the historical buildings tour. Once a year the City of Taylor Historical Society opens up the historical buildings for people to have a look inside. It always seems like it is a hot day, or it rains or something else – this year they are renovating Heritage Park in different areas, like adding to the pavilion in the Gardens, putting in a pickleball court and in the historical area, some of the buildings are fenced off. The bridge looked great with the reflections that day and is always a popular spot for prom and homecoming photos (and for Mrs. Goose to sit in the boulders giving me blog fodder).

      Liked by 1 person

      • They do look goofy! It’s amazing how small animals can scoot under fences and small spaces.
        The historical building tour sounds like an interesting activity! A pavilion to the garden would be so pretty.

        Liked by 1 person

      • Linda Schaub's avatar Linda Schaub says:

        I think I’ll try to make it this year if their restoration is done by then – if not, next year. My friend Ann Marie, now retired, used to be an elementary school teacher and she got to take her class inside the log cabin for a school trip one time. It is 175 years old, the oldest house in the City and they moved it to this park to be part of the other historical buildings.

        Like

  23. Rebecca's avatar Rebecca says:

    That first goose did seem to be posing for you, and you got some beautiful shots. I enjoy watching goslings follow their mom around and those in your photos are adorable. I’m not sure that I’d want to get too close to that rooster. He’s beautiful, but a little intimidating.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Linda Schaub's avatar Linda Schaub says:

      Thank you Rebecca. That goose was so calm and seemed to enjoy posing. Sometimes the geese are so fidgety or there will be some geese, either on land or in the water, then suddenly one takes a notion to be argumentative or fly up for no reason, then the others follow suit. The goslings were so sweet and I just laughed at the one older gosling with the big feet and the hissing tongue and the parents hissing back … why did the parents indulge him by responding? Maybe to show their offspring how to handle a bully? I almost made that little fight a separate post and a video would have even funnier. I thought that rooster was beautiful too. It was nice to see him as you can hear him on that side of the park as he crows all day long!

      Liked by 1 person

Comments are closed.