We took advantage of an exceptionally warm day to meet up with friends at the park. Little did we know the commotion that would arise from it all. After the children ate their lunch, a few went off to explore the dock about 100 yards away.
Then Anton had a "Scout Moment" he later retold to Karl that evening. The moms were relaxing and enjoying the scenery when we heard a loud splash. One of the younger boys, about 7 fell into the lake. Kaitlyn yelled "give me your hand" but the boy was under water. The moms rushed over, but Anton was already reacting. Remembering what he had learned in water safety from swimming and scouts, he laid on the dock and grabbed the boys arms. Anton then pulled him up as he moved backwards. By this time a big football player like dad got to the dock and helped Anton with getting the boy out of the lake. The boy was alright, just a bit shaken. This quickly lead to the dock being off limits for the remaining part of the afternoon.
We nature studied the lake and the water fowl.
The lake was home to three kinds of ducks, and several geese.
The ducks were enjoying the children throwing the remains of their lunch.
The geese were mostly wild Canadian geese and avoided us except for two. One was a Toulouse and the other a Chinese which are very common farm geese.
The Toulouse was very noisy and demanding. He barked and hissed at the children to keep away from him and the other goose. But the children were enthralled, so they picked a nice place on the climbing structure to watch them.
This worked for awhile, but the two were moving closer towards the picnic tables were the moms were sitting. They wanted more food. I remembered what I had read about geese and their temperament, this only applies to domesticated geese, so do not try this on Canadian Geese in the wild. Geese are mostly all bark, are very smart but look to see who is the dominate one. While the other moms sat on top the of the table, I began to stand up to this curious gander. I remained clam but assertive. One of the smaller children started to come towards us moms and the gander started to hiss at him. I firmly said no at which the gander looked at me very curious. I grabbed the child and gave him to his mother. The gander was watching me. He came closer, I did not budge and stared him down. He never hissed at me. He honked and I repeated no and started to shoo him off. He went away with the other goose for awhile but then they were between us and the children watching the ducks.
Isabella came running to me because she was scared two ducks were trying to drown another duck. This startled the gander and he began to obtain his attack posture again. I firmly told him no and he lowered his head to the ground and ate more weeds. I checked on the ducks for Isabella and later told Karl when we get ducks, we are going to have to explain mating rituals so she does not get so upset. As I returned to the picnic tables, I had a new friend. The gander slowly came up to me with his head down and quietly muttering to the ground. Once he had reached me, he began to preen my jeans. I have to say, had I not been in jeans I might not have let him get so close, but he was trying to show affection by rubbing on me. Anton and Isabella were very curious and ran towards me. This upset the gander again who began to go into attack mode again. I quickly and firmly said no and the gander resumed his head low submissive attitude. He followed me towards the parking lot. Aileen, then threw a handful of animal crackers away from us so we could all get into our cars and leave.
What did I learn? I think I might be able to handle us having geese in the future.
