And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven. And God created great sea monsters, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after its kind: And God saw that it was good... And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters of the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth. And the evening and the morning were the fifth day. Genesis 1:20-23
It is with great love that I photograph and observe Canada geese. Over the years I have enjoyed their behavior, their relationships with each other, and their character. I have laughed, cried, and been absolutely amazed in watching and studying them.
Early in the spring the female goose begins building a nest using grass, moss, and down feathers to line its bowl shape. Often pairs use the same area year to year. It is believed that the nest is a familiar place for the female goose, perhaps near where she herself hatched. She lays 2-8 eggs, sometimes more. Incubation takes about 28 days and is done by the female with the gander guarding and watching for predators nearby. (Nests are a bed for having babies, not a place to live.)