The Mystery of the Lone Gosling

On May 23rd, I had the pleasure of visiting the Sandtown parking area at the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma. During my walk along the trail, I came across two pairs of adult Canada Geese with their adorable goslings. One pair had little baby geese, while the other pair had a single older gosling. Intrigued by this sight, I decided to take a photo of the older gosling as it enjoyed a meal of plant seeds. It was amazing to see how quickly the goose stripped the seeds from the plants!

The Young Gosling’s Seed Feast

In the picture I took, you can see the young gosling happily munching on seeds from a plant. It was really cool to watch the goose expertly remove the seeds from the plants. The gosling seemed to have quite an appetite and ate the seeds with great enthusiasm. This moment reminded me of how interconnected nature is, with plants providing food for the animals that live in the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge.

The Mystery of the Missing Siblings

While I was observing this young goose, a question popped into my mind: What happened to its brothers and sisters? Normally, geese have more than one baby each year, but in this case, there was only one gosling. Let’s explore some possible reasons for this mystery.

How Geese Reproduce

Canada Geese are known to be dedicated parents who take good care of their babies. They usually have their babies in the springtime. The mom goose lays a group of eggs, usually around 4 to 8 eggs. Both parents take turns sitting on the eggs to keep them warm for about a month. Once the eggs hatch, the goslings stay close to their parents, learning important skills and growing more independent over time.

Possible Explanations

1. Predators

Goslings face dangers in the wild, such as foxes, raccoons, and birds of prey. It’s possible that some of the goslings were taken by these predators, leaving only one survivor in this particular pair.

2. Unsuccessful Hatching

Sometimes, not all the eggs in a group successfully hatch. Some eggs may be infertile or have problems developing. Environmental conditions can also affect the hatching process. In this case, it’s possible that some of the eggs didn’t hatch, resulting in only one gosling.

Conclusion

During my visit to the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, I was fortunate to witness the enchanting beauty of Canada Geese and their adorable goslings. Watching the lone older gosling relishing a meal of plant seeds was a remarkable experience that sparked my curiosity about the fate of its missing siblings. Through exploration, I discovered a couple of plausible explanations, such as predation and unsuccessful hatching. Nature often presents us with mysteries that evoke awe and remind us of the delicate balance of life.

Reflecting on this encounter fills me with gratitude for the opportunity to witness the wonders of the natural world. It serves as a poignant reminder of our responsibility to protect and preserve the habitats that support diverse species like the Canada Geese. Let us cherish the beauty of nature and strive to be conscientious stewards, ensuring a harmonious coexistence with the wildlife that graces our planet.

FAQs about Canada Geese

Q: Do Canada Geese stay together as a family forever?
A: Yes, Canada Geese tend to mate for life and stay together as a family.

Q: How many eggs does a Canada Goose usually lay?
A: A Canada Goose typically lays a group of 4 to 8 eggs.

Q: How long does it take for the eggs to hatch?
A: The eggs take about a month to hatch.

Q: How long do goslings stay with their parents?
A: Goslings stay with their parents for several months before becoming more independent.

Gear Used:

• Camera: Canon EOS R5
• Lens: Canon RF 100-500 mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM
  

Technical:

• Location: Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge (Oklahoma)
• Date and Time Taken: May 23, 2023 (07:10 A. M.)
• Aperture: f7.1
• Shutter speed: 1/2500
• ISO: 6400 (Auto)
• Exp. Comp.: +0.7
• Focal Length: 500 mm