We have spent the last year learning about the Geese and the Ducks in our yard.  It has been an amazing year!  Yet, today – we sit to discuss our observations as part of the Handbook of Nature Study – Autumn- Geese and Ducks – and we learned new things!

This Autumn our focus broadens to include Compare and Contrast in our observations. We still recognize our 5 Senses from the Summer that we learned – but adding a new dimension really helps us focus!

We spent the morning observing the Mallards in the yard.  Other Autumn visitors include the White Egret, Blue Heron and Common Merganser.  We saw the Canadian Geese fly over head, but they have been hanging out in a neighbor’s yard 2-3 doors down.

The first observation of contrast stumped me.  What do they eat? Different? Same?  This morning I heard the Geese Cackling next door (which, by the way, is a joy at 5 a.m. Rolls Eyes) and it hit me.  How are their patterns different?  The geese use the water more for exercise. Rarely are their bills in the water. They go from lawn to lawn, mowing them down. The occasional bug.   The Mallard, however, rarely wanders on the land, except be be fed by a neighbor down the way, but rather scavenges the edges of the lake. Bottoms up. Always. I call them my mooning chickens. 🙂 (used to have chickens. . . .long story).

So – for the first time I saw a difference between the habits of the geese and the mallards, that I would not have pin pointed without the direct questions. 🙂 Yeah!

Here are our comparison charts:

The boys saw the differences in the babies – the Mallards send mom out with the little ones – while Dad and the Uncles stand point on security some distance away. They go out front to make sure it is ok to progress.  The Geese gang up as a family. Mom, Gosslings, Dad Mom Gosslings, Dad. Sometimes 3-4 families like a train.  They swim and swim and swim.  The evening stroll is about 4 miles total.  They said that the mallards fly in mass piles quick and jumbled, the geese lift off straight in instant formation, in a triangle – always.

We had a great talk – great pics today too!  I am linking our Birds of Lincoln County Picassa folder. The photos from today are at the end. 🙂

Come join us as we observe nature this autumn at the Handbook of Nature Study. Blogspot. Com!

Birds -Lincoln County, Oregon

White Egret Today

  
Mamma is so funny. She calls the most, gathers everyone around.
The dad. He always has this knowing look – like he’s watching me more than I’m watching him.

Boys took this photo. Our new front lawn chirper. 🙂 Wait. That’s not a bird!

My online Picassa Album Here has over 200 pics from last year. 🙂 Great mallard shots.