Out of the Garden VII

We went to our usual birding area again today. I am happy to report that the water is down quite a bit and we didn't see any deer or other critters stranded as we saw last week. However I think I have mentioned before about the one Canada Goose that we have named Brutus. He is a very territorial goose and is quite ferocious and doesn't want anyone near his Mrs or their nest. Well, the silly goose has set up housekeeping right in the middle of an area that we bird. So we must drive by his nest when we check this area. Brutus is not happy. As you can see below he is coming toward us to make sure we understand his displeasure at our appearance. Today he actually flew up onto the hood of our truck and yelled at us through the windshield.

This is not a happy goose. He is screaming his lungs out and stomping his feet on our truck. This is why Mon@rch warned me not to get too close to the nest. Canada Geese can be very territorial and vicious when protecting said territory. This is why I get nervous when people tell me they take food out to wild geese especially when they have small children in tow.

You can imagine how courageous this fellow is since our pick-up truck didn't daunt him. I would imagine a person might come away with abruise or I have heard even a broken bone. He thumps the truck and squacks the entire time we are anywhere near his area. Needless to say we try to pass by as quick as we can but it is difficult to do when he is stomping around, charging the truck and this time jumping onto the truck to protest our appearance.

As we were driving past his nest you can still see the ire in his eyes. He hates us for being so near his nest. The Mrs is just a few feet away in the water voicing her concern. She was afraid to come back to the nest while we were so close but Brutus was not a bit intimidated. He fluffed up the down in the nest and...

sat right down on those eggs. I guess when all else fails ignore them and they will go away. After all...
if they don't understand a good tongue lashing, what is a goose to do??
My DB took the last two pictures. I took the other pictures today while we tried to avoid the Brutus. The pictures taken of him on top of the truck were taken through the windshield with the windows rolled up. Ha..