Canada Goose and Goslings

When I was a lad, a Canada goose was a rare sighting. And from age 12, I paid attention to birds. When I was 21, I worked as a summer student doing geology in Newfoundland. I remember the day I came across a remote bog and disturbed a Canada goose. It's clarion call was a real thrill as this proved I was on a breeding territory.

These days, every city park and golf course near water has flocks of Canada geese. Some would say mobs of those pests, particularly when their deposits get stuck in the shoes of golfers. However, I am delighted to see the comeback of these native birds, and enjoy watching them particularly as they fly.

In the 1970's, our home was on a river and we were honoured that a family of geese grazed on our lawn. This painting is of that family swimming away for a change of scenery after their feeding.