I don’t agree with favouritism but nobody can deny that it does happen – with kids, with pets, with friends and family, and – for me – with the birds. So, even though I don’t like the idea of favouring one breed over another, I am unable to deny that the geese are my favourites. Of course I love the chooks, ducks, peacocks, emus, guinnea fowl, golden pheasants, our new weiro and the wild birds too, but the geese have grabbed my heart and imagination more than any of the others.
This is probably because of the phenomenon of imprinting (see a previous post & http://www.thegoosesmother.com/id6.html) which, to some extent, works both ways. You see, except for Godfrey, our geese were raised from tiny goslings, whereas most of the other birds came to us a bit older. The following photo is of Ola and Seli (Pilgrim geese) on their first day outside (we had them in a box in front of the Aga beforehand).
And here is Ola now – she’s the one at the back of the ‘lake’. Pearl, our first Sebastopol goose, is in the middle (she deserves her own post so I will save that).
And here is Seli – again, at the back.
One of my favourite friends came over the other day and, as she was leaving, she said, with unintentionally wise wit, “Julie, you are such a goose!”
Mmmmm!
jmgoyder 
Julie, I’m glad you love them the best. They are the best pet I’ve ever had – and the imprinting thing is amazing. My gander followed me everywhere and looked after me and the girls. He was completely loyal for 13 years and, despite a period of separation for 2 years, he answered as soon as I called him when we were reunited. Love the link – the goose nappies would have been perfect! He came in the car all the time on a towel and in the house on newspaper but they do get stinky. He was banished outside most of his life, and he did feel rejected. Their intelligence and soul is why it is such a travesty that dogs are given prime position as the perfect human companion. It has never made sense to me that our culture tells us it’s OK to invite ‘wolves’ into our homes and then they dominate people and do such horrendous damage when they bite people or kill birds, as happened to my lovely geese. But Honka thought I was his mate more than his Mum – and things did get a bit confused at times, especially if I was weeding the grass!
Fantastically interesting comment. I like what you say re dogs vs. geese (as pets). Wierd how we become acculturated into what is the ‘normal’ pet in our wonderful Western world – mmmm!
Wonderful images again Julie. Your steady hand and sharp focus are just excellent. You’ve graduated from the School of Photography overnight.
I think photos are a wonderful way to illustrate your writing. I can see you’re going to start having real fun photographing the Clan now. I’m sure you’ll agree that it’s a fun hobby.
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I wouldn’t have become the least bit interested in photography if it hadn’t been for you and your blog, so I can’t thank you enough!
If you are “such a goose” what does that make me? I only have…..cows! Oh no, I’m a cow. Well, if I have to be cow I would choose to be a heifer – that’s because they are young 😉
Hi heif!
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