Canadian Geese

We have so much to learn from the Canadian Geese, which are of course very popular in Canada and the United States. During the second year of their lives, Canadian geese find a mate. They are monogamous and most couples stay together all of their lives. If one dies, the other may find a new mate. The female lays from two to nine eggs with an average of five, and both parents protect the nest while the eggs incubate, but the female spends more time at the nest than the male. The incubation period lasts between 24 and 32 days. As soon as the goslings hatch, they are immediately capable of walking, swimming, and finding their own food (a diet similar to the adult geese). Parents are often seen leading their goslings in a line, usually with one adult at the front, and the other at the back. While protecting their goslings, parents often violently chase away nearby creatures, from small blackbirds to lone humans who approach. Canada geese are especially protective animals, and will sometimes attack any animal nearing its territory or offspring, including humans. 

The lifespan in the wild of geese that survive to adulthood ranges from 10 to 24 years. Canada geese fly in a distinctive V-shaped flight formation, with an altitude of 1 km (3,000 feet) for migration flight. The maximum flight ceiling of Canada geese is unknown, but they have been reported at 9 km (29,000 feet.) I have taken quite a few photos of Canadian geese, especially with their goslings, and the two presented in this post clearly shows the affection and protectiveness parents have towards their children, something we can all learn from.