James Etheridge

We have goslings!  I checked on Mother Goose yesterday morning and she was adamant about me not getting close to her to change her water. It was then I saw the little yellow heads under her wing! When I checked on her this morning the nest was empty.  I was happy and relieved but apprehensive, due to the fact that there are a lot of cars in the parking lot and the store is located on a very busy road.  And I felt a twinge of sadness.  I had become fond of her, even though as far as I know the feelings weren’t reciprocated.  I went into the store, purchased a few items, then decided to take a lap around the lot to see if she and the babies might be close by.  I didn’t see them, but as I was driving down the side exit, my heart jumped and I laughed out loud.  There they were in an empty field between Taco Bell and the entrance/exit way.  Father Goose was with them.  I wanted to ask him where he had been for the last three and a half weeks, but who am I to judge?  I pulled the car over and jumped out to take pictures.  Mom and Dad looked at me and opened their mouths, warning me not to get close.  I knew better than to try, but managed to get a few snaps of the proud parents and six little goslings.  I didn’t want to leave and stood watching them for a while.  When I finally drove away, I had a smile on my face the whole way home.  I’ll admit, I am going to miss checking on Mother Goose.  But I am grateful to have been privileged to witness the wonder of nature up close and personal.  I hope that the family will hang around for a while so Jackie and I can watch the babies grow.  If so, we’ll have to come up with six names.  I would start off with Larry, Moe and Curly, but I don’t think Grand Goose Mimi would approve.