Friday, May 15, 2020

Checking In on the Ditch Goslings

Time for a little bit of fluff! And a walk down to the Ditch!


I took these a week or so ago. I suspect by now, my goslings are more dark than light, fluffy yellow!


Things are greening up well -- even more so than in this photo by now.


There were some beautiful birds. I never seem to get a good photo of the Red-winged blackbird but this one actually seemed to pose and the lighting was perfect!


The grackle was quite handsome, too, with the sun reflecting off his wings.


Well, here are Jim and Suzanne with their brood. (How do I know? Four babies, instead of seven!)


I first saw them on one side of the pond, chowing down.


I love how Mom sticks close!


I continued my walk, spotting a beautiful robin...


...and this little fellow, who seemed like he was just stopping for a chat!


When I got around to the other side of the pond, the geese had moved over there and were swimming near the rocks.


It seemed like a good time to get out of the water, so up we go, rock climbing!


Who knows what you'll find?


I look forward to my next visit but I'll miss seeing them as fluff balls as they grow into young adults.


Like Toddlers.

46 comments:

Misadventures of Widowhood said...

Spring finally found its way to Michigan. Love the babies.

The Happy Whisk said...

Fluffy cuteness overload. Happy Weekend.

Pamela said...

I love your wildlife photos, especially the squirrel!

Valerie-Jael said...

Lovely photos. It's good to get out and see nature flourishing. The little ones grow so quickly! Have a great weekend, hugs, Valerie

Blondie's Journal said...

These are gorgeous pic! Ain't nature grand?! I miss seeing all of this--another two weeks in Chicago...

Sending loads of love, my friend!

Jane 😘

Maggie said...

Good morning, Jeanie and thank you for a beautiful post, a nature walk with my first cup of tea is a lovely start to my day.

Iris Flavia said...

Hehe :-) As you can guess, the squirrel made me go "awwwww :-)"
Soooo cute!

David M. Gascoigne, said...

I am quite sure that after all those wildlife encounters you went home lighter is spirit and brighter in outlook, Jeanie. A walk in nature really is about as good a tonic as you can get - and it's free! I am pleased to note that the Canada Geese are dedicated parents and defend their young against all who might try to harm them. Take care and stay well.

eileeninmd said...

Hello Jeanie,

Pretty view of your ditch wetlands. The goslings are adorable, so fuzzy and cute. Love the Red-winged Blackbird. Beautiful collection of photos. It is great to take a walk with nature. Enjoy your day, happy weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Jeanie,
I just wanted to stop back and say thanks for this cute post. Your gosling photos are just adorable. Have a great day!

thepaintedapron.com said...

Soooooo sweet!!
Jenna

La Table De Nana said...

So cute and innocent♥Oblivious to Covid:)

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

Nothing cuter than those babies! And they are getting SO big! Have a good weekend!

Lisa from Lisa's Yarns said...

I have seen grackle birds but didn’t know what they were - so thanks for posting a photo and the name so I know what it is!! They are so pretty with their iridescent heads!

Those babies are so cute and fluffy!!!!

The French Hutch said...

You are rewarded when you take your walks to the ditch Jeanie. Seeing these little yellow fluffs is happy inducing! I enjoyed my walk with you this morning......

Arti said...

I see that we have similar birds. Your Ditch is my Pond. :) Your Grackle makes me re-think what bird it was I saw just a few days ago. It didn't have a blue head but a black head and dark-blue body like the color of the Grackle's head.

bobbie said...

Wonderful pix, as alwsys! TFS!

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

How adorable. Those Canadian Geese live here and don't leave. I am glad the Ditch provides the needed food and drink to keep these goslings well and, for the moment at least, unharmed. GReat photos and sage words to accompany them, my dear.

Divers and Sundry said...

Sweet signs of spring. I don't see the red-winged blackbird here in the city, but I've seen them out in the countryside. They are striking birds, especially for me since I rarely see them. Nice shot!

Stevenson Q said...

Jeanie all those ducklings look super cute and cuddly!!! Perfect shot on that squirrel looking so inquisitive, but my favorite one was the photo with the swimming babies but the mother goose was looking at the camera! Adorable! Happy weekend dear Jeanie!

Prims By The Water said...

What adorable babies! So love them. Saw them in our marsh the other day and an egret today. Janice

Pam Richardson said...

Happy Saturday Jeanie. I love all of your bird photos and your visits to the ditch that you share with us. Wishing you a Happy Weekend my friend!

The Joy of Home with Martha Ellen said...

Oh Jeanie, what lovely photos of the little darling family of Jim and Suzanne! Your lovely area is hardly a ditch, my friend! Teaming with nature and beauty you must rename it! What beauty you enjoy on your walk. The red winged blackbird, robin, and grackle are excellent captures.

shoreacres said...

Both you and David have posted photos of grackles that are quite different than ours. Ours don't have those bright blue heads -- same genus, different species, I suspect. I'll have to explore that. There certainly isn't any question about the cuteness factor in those goslings; they're wonderful.

My name is Erika. said...

You got some fabulous photos on this ditch walk. That squirrel looks like he is saying 'Hi, and welcome." And those goslings are looking at the fluffy and cute. Looks like you had a great walk. Happy rest of your weekend. Hugs-Erika

Louca por porcelana said...

So cute!Hugs!

R's Rue said...

Have a great day friend.

Linda @ Life and Linda said...

What lovely photos of the birds and those darling little goslings. Baby animals are the cutest. Happy Sunday Jeanie.

Joanne Huffman said...

You have such a great eye for photos.

Jennifer Richardson said...

Those fuzzy little flappers:) Makes me grin so wide:)
And that redwing! What a gift.....I've always loved them so.
A photo like that is one for the treasury!
I'm grateful you get to get out among the wild things.
Good medicine, that.
Big joy to you,
Jennifer

Sami said...

The fluffy babies are so cute :)
Great photos of the birds Jeanie.

Miss Val's Creations said...

Adorable photos Jeanie! It is a treat to observe baby animals.

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

baby animals are just the cutest things!

Evi Erlinda said...

Seems they love to eat, so when you come back these "toddlers" become cute "adolescences" :)

Thank you for wonderful photos, Jeanie! They make me happy!

Happy Sunday!

Polly said...

oh Jeanie, your photos are superb.

Marilyn Miller said...

Those little fluff balls are so cute. Makes you want to cuddle them. Ha! I am sure they would love that. They will indeed have changed when you return. Sweet squirrel! I am trying to enjoy them more. Love seeing the red winged bird. Always love the robins. Spring is such a beautiful time with all the fresh greenness!

Red Rose Alley said...

That red-winged blackbird is a beauty. aaahhh, my beloved Robin. Such a special bird. That's a cute picture of the mischievous squirrel. It's good to hear that the babies are doing good and growing each day.

~Sheri

Lynne said...

Loved your Ditch visit photos.
I too love that first soft yellow down of the goslings . . .
Fun to watch them grow and toddle off too.

Sandra at Maison De Jardin said...

Good morning, Jeanie. I am late to comment, the garden is taking my every minute. We have gone from March to June. Anyway, I have enjoyed your post, once when I first went through your perfect photos and today when I read it.
Your photo of the red-winged blacked bird is so pretty against the gorgeous blue sky. And your geese family is wonderful. You have captured nature at its best. Such a wonderful post. Wishing you a happy week.

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Nice to get back to the Ditch to see Jim and Suzanne and their young-uns, Jeanie. And the red-winged blackbird, grackle (least favorite), and robin were good subjects in what looked like a great weather day. There's nothing better than to be able to get out, enjoy and appreciate the little things that we tend to overlook in busier and more hectic days. Hope you will return soon to re-visit the family.

Lowcarb team member said...

Oh Jeannie lovely birds, gorgeous goslings and I love the squirrel too :)

All the best Jan

anno said...

Wow -- these are terrific pictures, Jeanie! Getting shots like these takes a good eye, a steady hand, and enough affection/understanding of birds to predict the right moment to take the snap -- congratulations! (and they're all totally adorable, too)

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

The goslings are such wonderful examples of life renewing itself, as well as all the return of the birds in spring. Nature offers such solace, doesn't it?

Sherry's Pickings said...

love all the animal and bird photos. that grackle is gorgeous. we have a similarly-coloured bird here called a spangled drongo. it is black but has wings that shine in the sun!

Victoria Zigler said...

Even when you're with an animal - or toddler - constantly, you swear you blink and miss something with them growing up. Enjoy seeing what you can of it.

Judy at GoldCountryCottage said...

I hope you get to go often to the ditch, Jeanie. You are so right how fast those little fluffs can grow..Too sweet..Stay well..xxoJudy P.S. I forgot to mention in my last comment on your watercolor pst about your governor. I feel so sorry for her with all those protestors. If they aren't the stupidest things with their camo and guns. What a disgrace to humanity. A political ploy I would say..

Popular Posts