This evening when I arrived home, my wife told me that she saw two Canada Geese and their six goslings on the lake behind our home, Lake Montclair, Virginia. Canada Geese are very common on the lake. Many of the geese stay all year and do not migrate. I photographed a Canada Goose on a nest a couple of weeks ago, and these goslings are the first we have seen this year.
Canada Geese mate for life. They will take turns incubating the eggs on the nest, which takes about 28 days, but it is the female that spends most time on the nest while the male protects her and the nest. Shortly after hatching, the goslings are led to the water. As in the above image, the female usually leads the family with the male in the rear providing protection.
After hearing about the sighting, we decided to go down to the dock, me with my camera, to see if they were in the area, and within minutes, they appeared across the lake–what luck! I fired off a few shots (above), but they were on the move, as can be seen from the wake they were leaving behind them.
My kayak was on the dock, so I ran up to the house to get my paddle, put the kayak in the water and went in search of them. They had disappeared by the time I got into the water, but I caught up with them around the other side of the island. When I approached (above), they headed to the shoreline.
I followed them around the lake for about an hour trying to maintain some distance so as not to disturb them too much. Unfortunately, every time I got within a good shooting distance, they headed to the shore, out of the water and into the weeds and undergrowth along the shoreline. Therefore, I backed away, and they eventually returned to the water. This took place several times. Nevertheless, I managed to get a few decent images of the geese and their young.
In the above image, the gosling on the end was keeping a close eye on me. Since Canada Geese are so common, they are not one of my favorite photography subjects, but their young are irresistibly cute.
The above image was taken at one of the times when they fled the water to hide on shore. They are safer in the water so they did not stay on land long–only long enough for me to move far away.
These images were taken with a Nikon D800 in the DX mode, 70-200mm lens with a 1.4 teleconverter. Most were shot at f/8 and ISO 400-1000.
Stephen L Tabone Nature Photography 
Even though they have become very common and a pest in many people’s minds, I still love to see Canada Geese and think of them as amazing animals. Thanks for the post!
You are right, they are pests in many people’s minds (and backyards), but I enjoy seeing and photographing them, and they sure produce extremely cute little goslings.
I like the shot #3 and #5 especially. You are amazing, and because of your love affair with the nature.. ah! we are lucky to see all those wonderful pictures! Thanks.
Thank you Kee. I appreciate that you are following my blog and your very positive comments. Hope to see you at Leesylvania soon.
Great story and shots, Steve, I shared on Facebook because my family loves to see these pictures.
Canadians and Canada geese are both welcomed for an extraordinary display of photographic gems
How sweet the babies are … even the “common” Canadian Goose is a beautiful bird. Always love seeing them as families. Thank you!
Geese may be common and sometimes pests, but they are still part of nature and the natural world and a wonder to behold! I appreciate seeing your sightings and descriptions of their activities very much!
We have Canadian geese that apparently nest nearby us (in central New York State), but it is on lands that I no longer have access to and have not been able to see in their natural habitat. They frequently fly right over our house as they go to and from other water/food areas, but never wehn I have a camera in hand!
Cannot agree more on the geese and the “wonder to behold”. They always attract my attention whether seeing them or just listening to them as they fly overhead.
I’d never seen Canada Goose Goslings before–so cute! I can’t wait until I get my own kayak!
Check this one out Donnie. I processed and posted it this evening. I do not just shoot birds.
http://stabone.com/p982011183/h1d20e902#h1d20e902
STEVE http://www.stabone.com http://www.stevetaboneblog.com Sent from iPad (typos included)
Wow! This is a sunrise? Makes me wish I were at a beach right now.