May 17, 2009 - Baby Canada Geese

It doesn’t seem to matter what species you choose; baby animals have a universal appeal. I found these baby Canada Geese at our apartment in Shoreview, Minnesota. I’m guessing they are less than 3 days old, based on how small they are. Here are three of the six babies coming over a hill. I know that I shouldn’t attribute human qualities to them, but they sure seem to be smiling. It looks like they are just happy to be running around in the grass.

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This photo makes them look like they are in a marching group doing a close order drill.

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This little one wanted to snuggle up under its parent’s wing but it doesn’t seem like that’s going to happen.

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Here’s a cute exchange between two of the little ones. I hadn’t realized before that the down on the body is actually a gray color and only the head and neck are yellow.

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Here’s the whole family. The sixth baby is partially hidden behind the adult on the right. Canada Geese are very attentive parents. Both the mother and the father watch over the goslings. At least one parent is alert and looking around at all times.

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Here is a close-up of the head of one adult goose. I hadn’t noticed before that they have a small hook at the very tip of the bill.

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