I was sitting on my bench next to the bottle tree, when what swam up to me? I was shocked - didn't expect it. Cutest ever. I tossed them some bread and pellets and Mom and Dad showed the goslings how to eat it. I always feed the water fowl, turtles and fish when I am here at the city house
and they all come for the feast.
Mom and Dad both cared for the littles and one scolded the weenies barking at them. My grandkids will be by soon and I can't wait to let the geese swim up and surprise them. They'll be tickled. But, oh no! Here comes trouble. A loud splash. A huge fish. Now what am I going to do? Jump in and wrestle the disgusting leviathan???
Couldn't get this little whale to pose so I did what I could. A huge catfish showed up, mouth gaping, skimming the water for pellets. If you've never seen one, they are ugly with large whiskers/feelers - look like an alien and can grow to more than 100 lbs.
Here is a rear shot of the head and barbed whiskers of this submariner. It made a large splash and wake and my heart stopped as I thought it grabbed a gosling. I quickly did a head count and Mom and Dad were keeping the babies between them pretty close. I even saw one of the parents peck at the catfish which quickly disappeared under the water. It wasn't going to miss out on its feeding though and after the geese swam off, the turtles and catfish cleaned up the rest of the meal.
Oh nature, do I now have to worry about the turtles and catfish eating the babies while they feed?
Now what? Oh no. Miss Runner Duck has come ashore in the bottom yard with her new mate. The weenies won't allow it and thankfully didn't notice.
She is looking for a place to nest while her drake waits in the foreground beside the tulips.
The little mallard nest full of blue eggs has disappeared. I can only surmise that a snake ate the eggs.
Wish Miss Runner would find another plot to build her nest. She has nested here previously; this was her home before it was mine. I just don't want the drama of duck versus weenies, turtles, snakes and catfish.
