The Armada Sails

[mbrager]

Yesterday at Prince's Island, I saw several groups of goslings accompanied by two geese. Strictly guarded and herded, but not afraid of the people watching them. The people, on the other hand, are afraid of the poop left behind.
Mike

[Mad Aussie]

Man .. .that's some brood!! Your colour balance sure was off in the first couple huh!

A neat set though and a cool title to go with it!

[Iguanasan]

Cool set and very cute pile of goslings.

[mbrager]

MA and Ig, thanks for the comments. I think I changed the white balance from As Shot to Cloudy, adding an orange cast. But I also used a warming filter layer. I'm going to upload a new version of the second shot leaving the white balance As Shot to see the difference. I think there is a difference: less brown/orange, more green/yellow. I'd be interested to know what you see.
Mike

[Michaelaw]

I can't fathom two geese having that many kids

[Bambi]

I didn't know geese could have so many!!!

I love the setting sail shot.

[mbrager]

I think JAS explained in a previous thread that the adult geese put their broods together and then teach them life skills as a large group. I noticed that only two geese accompanied the group, but there were others on the fringes keeping guard. We call it division of labor or a commune as if we invented it. LOL.

[JAS_Photo]

Lol, very cute! What's a little goose pooh between friends?

[Michaelaw]

I think JAS explained in a previous thread that the adult geese put their broods together and then teach them life skills as a large group. I noticed that only two geese accompanied the group, but there were others on the fringes keeping guard. We call it division of labor or a commune as if we invented it. LOL.

From my experience, if a gosling gets mixed up and tries to enter another brood the parents will chase it off quickly and with extreme prejudice. I'm not saying your community spirit idea is wrong, It's just something I've yet to witness

[mbrager]

A quick online search indicates that females usually have 4-7 white eggs, and do care for their broods with the male. There are more than 25 goslings in one of my pictures. There are as may as 11 different species of Canada Goose. Michael, your description of their territoriality is accurate from what I read. Perhaps I was seeing a particularly large brood.
Who knows?
Mike