Canada Goose

Canada Geese have a wide range of behaviors towards people. Some (possibly migrant) Canada Geese will fly away as readily as most other waterfowl. Many seem to cautiously walk or swim away, sort of the way you might if you saw a bear approaching you. And some of them have clearly been around humans a lot and aren't all that impressed with the danger we present [1].

This particular goose didn't flee but seemed to exhibit an air of confidence standing on its log. Perhaps it surmised that I was extremely unwilling to risk falling into near-freezing water with an approach?

I need to use "it" to describe my goose friend since Canada Geese are essentially sexually monomorphic.

March 6, 2023 at the Raritan Water Power Canal
Photo 267703395, (c) jpviolette, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

[1] It's discouraged these days, but I'm sure some people feed the geese, making our presence a somewhat welcome sight.

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