Black and White Sunday: Canadian Standoff

You may have heard the term Mexican Standoff, which deals with a confrontation. Well, in this case, I think we've got what we could call a Canadian Standoff. These Canada geese want back on the shore and Jimmy wants  to swim past. Jimmy knows he's outnumbered but doesn't want to yield his position. I've mentioned before about Jimmy's self-assigned duties as the Geese Police, and he takes this job seriously!

Did you notice the cute little photo bomber in the lower right corner?

From Our Walk Last Friday....

Just when I was thinking I'd need to skip a day or two of posts due to a low inventory of photos, our walk last Friday gave me a few post-worthy shots! Whew!

First, the wildlife......

At first glance, I thought this was the goose family I had already posted about. The goslings looked about the right amount older but on closer inspection this family has six babies versus the five in the last post. I loved how they aligned themselves in such a nice straight row as well as the water-patterned green reflections. Their formation made me think of a train.

All aboard the Goose train! ....or......They've really got their ducks in a row!

A close-up of the goslings....They are pretty much the definition of an Ugly Duckling, even if they are geese!

We've gone past cute to that awkward tween phase!

Next, some more turtles, socializing in the sun....

Eastern Painted Turtles

We ran into some Mallards a bit further down. This first guy was plainly suspicious of the dogs and was doing his best to give a hairy eyeball.

Click to enlarge his grouchy look!

A Great Blue Heron looking for breakfast across the lake....

Two more Mallards....or is it four more?

And of course the Mallards got my eye looking for a way to get the boys in on a reflection shot. If you've been reading my blog for a while, you know I love reflections, like here,  here, and here .

First Jimmy cooperated.....

And then Wilson tried the same pose....

I like Wilson's better, he hadn't yet rippled the water....

A couple more with Wilson.....

This one reminds me of an Aesop fable .

A big Wilson smile

And now, I am once again out of photos!

______________________________________________________________________________

I compiled this post before I had learned of the terrible damage caused by a huge tornado in Moore, OK. It doesn't feel right to post pictures of my ordinary and routine life without at least acknowledging this tragedy. My thoughts are with the victims and their families.

USA Today posted this link with ways to safely donate:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/05/20/help-tornado-victims/2344493/

Not Such A Big Man After All!

I've mentioned on a couple of occasions how Jimmy considers himself a member of the Geese Police patrol, such as here or here . (hmmmm....note to self.....you are starting to repeat yourself....). Well, he's nothing if not determined and he will take any opportunity to practice. So on a recent walk he began clearing the shoreline of those pesky critters....

Jimmy: I said get back where you belong! Shoo!

Jimmy: That's right keep moving along....

What Jimmy failed to take into consideration was, that during the nesting season, geese are a force to be reckoned with! There's not much they will back down from in defense of the family.

Be sure to biggify this next one....Jimmy's expression is priceless!

Jimmy: Holy Shit!....I'd better make for dry land!

Jimmy: I'll just keep an eye on things from here. The water's a bit chilly today.

Have no worries, no geese were injured in the making of this blog post. Now Jimmy's pride is a whole other matter indeed!

They've Got It All Wrong!

Down by the large lake in my neighborhood there is a sign........

But they've got it so wrong!

MMMM! Goose Poop!

It's a smorgasbord!

Click to enlarge! See the focus and intent!

Got it!

This time of year, the geese are everywhere, and this trail is a mess! I call the walk Running the Gauntlet and usually avoid it. It's one of my favorite areas but is exhausting, what with all the "Jimmy! NO!, Wilson! Drop It!" that is required. Today I went for photo-effect and let Jimmy get in a few bites ;-)

Here's what the sign really should say......

Use your imagination to complete the sign's image. My photo editing skills aren't up to adding in a Jimmy face!

Have a great weekend, Everyone!

Wildlife on our Walk

Our morning walks are often filled with wildlife sightings. This little boxturtle was smack in the middle of the paved trail. Jimmy and Wilson both gave him a close-up sniffing so he wasn't coming out for a better picture!

This Canada Goose family was on the shore grazing, but returned to the water with lightening speed. It's amazing how fast the babies can run when they see danger!

And finally, the exotic black and white dwarf water-cow, seen here chowing down on his favorite food. There is nothing tastier than the new grass at the water's edge.

Have a great weekend, everyone!