Wings of Spring - a photo on Flickriver

Wings of Spring

Canada Goose - Branta Canadensis:

The species name, Canadensis, is a New Latin word meaning "of or from Canada".
These birds feed mainly on plant material and are monogamous for life (staying with one partner and mate in their lifetime).
When feeding in water, they submerge their heads and necks to reach aquatic plants, sometimes tipping forward like a dabbling duck.
Flocks of these birds often feed on leftover cultivated grains in fields, especially during migration or in winter.

During the second year of their lives, Canada Geese (geese is plural for goose; meaning many of them) find themselves a mate.
As mentioned, most couples stay together all of their lives and only if one is killed, then the other may find a new mate.
The female lays 4-8 eggs and both parents protect the nest while the eggs incubate, but the female spends more time at the nest than the male.
During that time, they lose their flight feathers, so that they cannot fly until after their eggs hatch. This period lasts for 25-28 days.

Adult geese are often seen leading their goslings (baby geese) in a line, usually with one parent at the front, and the other at the back of the "parade".
While protecting their young, parents often violently chase away nearby creatures, from small blackbirds to other geese and humans that may approach and they warn by giving off a loud hissing sound.
However, geese may form groups of a number of ’goslings’ (little geese) and a few adults, called crèches.

The young do not leave their parents until after the spring migration, when they return to their North American birthplace.

Canada Geese have been hunted by humans for hundreds of years.
Native American Indians hunted them in the spring migration.
Eskimos hunted them to take advantage of their molt and feathers which left them flightless.
Even early white settlers took advantage of these birds and hunted them for food.
These birds are still being hunted today in the United States and Canada.

You can help stop recreational duck shooting: Stop_Animal_Cruelty

Taken on: April 29, 2007

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Camera: Kodak DX4330, f/8.0, 1/350 sec, 24mm (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Kodak DX4330
Aperture:	f/8.0
Exposure Time:	0.003 sec (1/350)
Focal Length:	24mm
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	Auto, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Program AE
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Average
White Balance:	Auto
Gain Control:	Low gain up
Color Space:	sRGB
Show full info

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