These Canada Geese parents make herding a gaggle of goslings look pretty easy!
7 goslings stick close
The chicks really blend into the grass so I had to wait until they took to the water to get a good pic. This couple has 7! I combined the rest of the pix into a YouTube slideshow below. One or both the parents swam with their head down. It looked like they were protecting the chicks from the other geese but I’m not sure. I read that several couples gather together after the chicks hatch. This is called a creche. I wonder if geese in one creche protect the chicks from geese in another creche?
There are signs of spring everywhere on the Oregon Coast. See the 2 grey dots between the one elk’s ears? That’s the bull who recently shed his antlers. I think the bulls lose their antlers just before birthing season so they can get in touch with their feminine side. They’re a little more humble without antlers. 🙂
Bull elk shed his antlers
The Canada Geese are pairing up and building their nests. You can see them on the Alsea Bay and up the river. Eckman Lake is a good place to see a lot of them on their nests.
Canada Geese beginning to nest
The brown pelicans have been here for over a month now. These were in Yachats. Seagulls are here year-round.
Brown Pelicans fishing off Yachats River
This is looking at Waldport from the beautiful arch on the Alsea Bay Bridge. It’s my favorite place to look for seal pups.
Alsea Bay Bridge, Waldport, OR
It’s common to see Pelagic Cormorants diving in the bay and coming up with nesting material. They make nests under the bridge out of sight of all but the boaters.
Cormorant under Alsea Bridge
There are wall-to-wall harbor seals but I didn’t see any babies on this day (Apr 10, ’15). Seals are able to delay implantation after their egg is fertilized. Now, how does their body know, 9 months ahead, when will be the best conditions for giving birth? I have a lot of questions when I get to heaven! 🙂
Wall-to-wall seals in Alsea Bay
These seals were finished with their nap and were crabbing near the base of the bridge.
