Monday, May 4, 2020

New Neighbors!

Springtime has come to the Ditch, if the new life spotted on my recent walk is any indication.


The trees are bursting with that wonderful spring green that seems only to exist in nature during a brief window when the buds are popping and the air is fresh with dew.


But the real action is the two families of Canada geese and a family (or maybe two) of ducks.


Of course, I seem to name all the pond creatures, so let's call this group the family of David and Miriam, named after Canadian blogger David and his photographer wife Miriam, of Travel with Birds,  whose photos of birds are my favorite eye candy any day of the week.


They seemed to have the most in their flock -- and the most daring, venturing a tad too close to the street for my liking.


I'm not sure what they want on the sidewalk. All the good food is behind the fence. Maybe they're just curious!


Fortunately as I got closer, they moved back beyond the fence toward the pond -- for awhile at least.


I must have taken two dozen photos of this gang but they move so quickly, only a few turned out well.


The smaller family, I named Suzanne and Jim, after my longtime friend who lives in London, Ontario, and her husband.


I love watching how closely the adults keep an eye on the little ones. As I ventured closer to continue my walk past them, the rapidly hurried the babies away from the sidewalk where they had been eating.


Continuing through the ditch I spotted this bird in a tree... it was too fast and far to get a good ID.


That was when I saw the duck family, out for a swim.


It was hard to tell how many ducklings. They hung quite close to the edge where the camouflage was excellent.


But there seemed to be at least three and maybe more.


The gosling families seem to be larger than the ducks -- but it is difficult to tell. I know there are more ducks due and probably at least one more family of geese. Perhaps by now they have "popped" and maybe on my next walk they'll be taking a swim!


I leave you with a happy pair of babies!


Coming soon, we'll check up on Harry the Heron!

Sharing with:    Pink Saturday     /     Saturday's Critters    /     Let's Keep in Touch    

63 comments:

Monica Hein ~ Beauty Diary said...

Aww little ducklings are so adorable!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, wonderful nature photos. The goslings and ducklings are so cute. They are a treat to see! Take care! Enjoy your day, have a happy new week ahead.

Misadventures of Widowhood said...

How sweet! All creatures have wonderful, cute babies...except for snakes. I hate snakes. I'm so glad you're not a snake blogger. LOL

Valerie-Jael said...

Lovely to see those adorable goslings, so pretty. Just saw some on David's blog, too. Have a great week,hugs, Valerie

Jean said...

How beautiful. I am keeping an eye on the swan sitting on eggs by the river near by. I also noticed a pair of coots building a nest near the swans.

Stevenson Q said...

Oh thank you Jeanie for sharing these! Those geese are things of beauty! I love their proportions so much and the colors too! Those ducks on the pond at first looked like leaves HAHA but looking closely was a "there they are" moment for me.

Happy Tuesday Jeanie! (Oh I think it's still Monday there, Happy Monday!)

R's Rue said...

I like your neighbors.

DUTA said...

Nature goes on with its various activities and varieties. It's us, people who had to stop some, change some, and who knows what else lies ahead of us. In the meantime let's enjoy what we can, where we can.
The goslings are so, so cute!

Divers and Sundry said...

Awww, what sweet little goslings and ducklings :)

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Thanks for sharing the sweet babies!

I need orange said...

Yay for baby ducks. :-)

Red Rose Alley said...

Those are the best neighbors of all. I love the Geese so. And aren't those babies precious? The geese's neck is soooo long, and how he maneuvers it is amazing. The ducklings are having a fun time in the water.

Enjoy your new neighbors, Jeanie. And happy May!

~Sheri

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Thanks for the honour, Jeanie! Nothing could please us more, especially that cute kid in the tree in my latest blog post. I told her that if I took her to the park she had to behave, and I strictly forbade her to climb trees, but she didn't listen! And the little songbird you were unable to identify is a Yellow-rumped Warbler. It really is great to see all the new life in the spring. Stay well, Jeanie.

Sandra said...

Oh my gosh, look at those babies! I just want to pick them up and cuddle them.

Sketchbook Wandering said...

Jeanie, I am in love with them all!!!! And love that you have this magical place with your magical neighbors!! One forgets the troubles of the world, being with these creatures!

Karen said...

Soooo sweet ~ I love how soft ~ you just want to pet one! They grow up so fast and lose that sweet yellow color. I love that you named the families, that made me laugh. Enjoy the Spring!

Pamela said...

How sweet! Those cute babies are the best thing I’ve seen in awhile. Thanks!

Bohemian said...

Awwww... nothing quite like little Goslings, Ducklings and Chicks... we saw some at the Lagoon recently, seems most of the Water Fowl are having very large clutches this Season! I hope that's a Good Sign, at least for Nature seeing things in a Positive Light?

Lisa from Lisa's Yarns said...

I will be showing these pictures to Paul! He will love seeing the babies! There are no babies here yet but hopefully soon. We don’t see many geese but we see a lot of mallard ducks. And lately we haven’t seen the mamas so they must be tending to their nests. Paul will be so excited when we see baby ducks for the first time!!!

Prims By The Water said...

Cute goslings. I have been seeing lots of plump mama robins lately. Spring is here for sure! Janice

The Happy Whisk said...

Hellow Spring Time! Those little babies are too cute.

My name is Erika. said...

David and Miriam sure have an adorable brood of goslings. They are so cute. Spring is coming back. Hurrah! This is such an uplifting post which is good to see, Hugs-Erika

Joyful said...

How sweet. It's wonderful to see so many baby goslings. x

The Joy of Home with Martha Ellen said...

Such darling photos, Jeanie! I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one who names animals in nature. I know you are happy to see new life all around you! Your Spring is really happening. Such a nice event to witness these days.

Pam Richardson said...

Jeanie, your ditch has many opportunities for viewing birds and wildlife. Your photos are always excellent and I love that you take us with you for fresh air and spring green!

Mae Travels said...

In the park where we often walk, the geese have proliferated to the point of really being a nuisance. As a result, I have trouble being aware of the baby cuteness of their brood-after-brood of goslings. I'm glad you took such cute photos to contradict my senses and my negativity. Of course it's not the fault of the geese, it's their adaptation to the human environment.

be well... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

roughterrain crane said...

So cute. I hope their healthy growing.

Rustic Pumpkin said...

Such sweet, new neighbours, and you can watch them grow. What fun!

Deb in Wales

Mike@Bit About Britain said...

Wonderful shots, Jeanie! I caught a video the other day of a family of Canada geese crossing a road somewhere in the UK. The traffic had come to a halt and police were trying to, unsuccessfully, escort mum, dad and little ones somewhere safer; it was hilarious. A friend also told me that he'd heard some chickens were going cheap, but I said they must have been chicks. (I might also have made that up).

Iris Flavia said...

Very cute! Must check next Saturday if there are wee ones here, also.
Our geese sure look different and we have but ducks in the park.

Joanne Huffman said...

Baby geese and ducks are so cute - a sure way to feel optimistic.

La Table De Nana said...

What a dear surprise..you must have been overjoyed! Cute!!

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Lovely new neighbors at the Ditch. So much new activity there. These goslings are adorable. You got some great close-ups. too, dear Jeanie.

Sandra at Maison De Jardin said...

Good morning, Jeanie. This post was a pure delight. Your photos are great. I have always been a lover of geese and ducks. To me, they are so pretty.

Thanks for making me smile and have a wonderful day!

Karen said...

awwww, they are so cute. In his advanced years, my father used to love it when my sister took him up to sit by the river where all the ducks would congregate. The trips started as soon as the snow was gone, so he would see the little ones grow all summer. Those ducks were very tame. When a car pulled into the parkette they would come to see what goodies were going to be on the buffet that day. When Da had to go into the nursing home, he was quite pleased that the river, and the duck park, was right across the street.

gigi-hawaii said...

BEAUTIFUL. ALOHA FROM HAWAII.

Judy at GoldCountryCottage said...

Jeanie, what sweet little families. They look just right for cuddling!..Glad you are getting out for your walks..Take care and stay well..xxoJudy

The French Hutch said...

Oh such a wonderful place to visit for smiles. What could be sweeter than these families on the pond. Loved every photo, now I have to get myself walking to our pond. Enjoy your walks.........

anno said...

Oh my gosh, they are just adorable bundles of fluff! And sunlight, too! Great pictures, Jeanie. I have the feeling there's a children's book in there, somewhere. Maybe with watercolor illustrations?

Glad to hear from you, glad you've been getting out and enjoying this early spring...

Lowcarb team member said...

Jeanie, what a fabulous post.
Loved, loved, loved all of the photographs, those ducklings are just so cute.

Take care, stay safe and well.

All the best Jan

crackercrumblife said...

Too cute!!!!! I love little ducklings and goslings!!!

Decor To Adore said...

What sweet geese...goslings? A mother duck has made a nest at Storybook Cottage. There are 8 eggs. I cannot WAIT!!! :)

BeachGypsy said...

lOved all these pretty springy pictures....love it when you take us along to the "ditch". LOL The duck pictures are fun and how adorable are those little balls of fluff--the little baby ducklings!!?? So sweet. Glad you have a nice place like this to walk to...nature really helps me, I try to get out and enjoy the breezes and the sunshine and the fresh air and flowers as much as I can. Hope your week is going great.

Tracy said...

Did you hear me SQUEAL...BABIES!! How cute are they?! Fluff on tiny legs. This was pure JOY, Jeanie... extra appreciate--thank you! ((LOVE & HUGS))

shoreacres said...

Wonderful photos, Jeanie. I have a pair of mallards with eight babies swimming around the boat I'm working on just now. Obviously, someone's been feeding them, because when I show up, they make a beeline for me. Human = food! No food from my hand, though. Let them eat algae!

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Thanks Jeanie for showing these happy families and young-uns outside. I'm not sure which are the cutest, goslings or ducklings as I liked seeing all of them., I also liked your names for the parent couples. I have become a recent reader of David's blog posts and enjoy learning more about our feathered and un-feathered friends. His recent post on the young fox kits was fun to see with Miriam's photos as well. Seems you were both on the same wave length of showing new arrivals!

Arti said...

The Pond finally reopens (the provincial park it's in) so I got the chance to head out into the woods for the first time in months! Looks like Canada geese have taken over a large part of it. They're still nesting and I haven't seen any young ones yet. These photos are lovely. Spring has finally sprung, and hopefully we can all relax a bit from the C-19 episode. Although I know it's far from over. But new lives in Nature always bring us joy and a brighter outlook.

French Ethereal said...

Awwww!!! I love the photos you've taken here, Jeanie!!! We have a pair of Canadian geese down by the little lake I walk around early in the morning. No babies yet but hopefully! There are quite a few ducks, too.

Enjoyed your photos immensely,
Barb :)

Barb said...

Cuteness! How fuzzy those babies look. Your spring has sprung, thankfully. I think I'll maybe soon see baby moose and fox - I hope. It's still cold here at night (20's) and our aspens aren't budding yet. However, I see a peek of my front garden as the snow melts, and there are some green shoots already.

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

Those are happy photos - bird babies! Love them

Sandra Cox said...

I love all animal babies, but there's just something about baby ducks.
Be safe. Be healthy.

Tammie Lee said...

Those little goslings are SO cute!
It is so hard to spot birds in trees and to see what they are!
Your spring is looking similar to ours, some green some brown, but it is happening.

Lovely evening to you!

thepaintedapron.com said...

Oh goodness Jeanie, they are all so adorable, I know you were smiling while clicking away! So glad you finally are enjoying some Spring! The birds here seem to be extra cheerful, their birdsong it loud and happy!
Jenna

Danielle L Zecher said...

I love the baby ducks and geese! They're so cute! I'm glad you're finally getting some spring weather.

Sami said...

OMG, what cuties Jean. You will be able to see them grow.

Nikki - Notes of Life said...

Oh so cute! :)

eileeninmd said...

Hello, Jeanie

I just loved this post with the baby birds in your neighborhood. The goslings and ducklings are adorable. It is nice you have this spot close by, the birding is great. Wonderful collection of photos.
Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Enjoy your day, wishing you a happy weekend. PS, thank you for the visit and comment.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

It just makes you want to pick them up and feel their downy softness! They are so cute and that last photo is my fav! If you find a hiking bird at the pond....will you name it after me? heeheehee! Have a wonderful weekend!

Marilyn Miller said...

So many new babies out and about. Our Chinese Gardens here in Portland has geese nesting there because people are not coming through. Lots of babies I am seeing online. Life is taking a step back and nature shines.

Louca por porcelana said...

Sooooo cute...Made me smile!

Gayla said...

Oh my! Those are the cutest little ducks ever! I miss nature! That might have to be a goal for me as it grows warmer--- to get outside. I think you are super talented in the photography department! --Gayla

GretchenJoanna said...

Make way for goslings! How very dear. We have lots of resident Canada geese around here, and I'm sure they have babies in the ponds on either side of town that they fly back and forth from. I bet if I stopped by I would see a few goslings of my own.

Joyful said...

The goslings are so cute.

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