What is a family? It means many things to many people. In my family, it meant a mom and a dad and some siblings. We all ate together, went camping together, attended each others functions like ball games, and parades. We were a unit. We were disciplined and sometimes told on each other when there was concern involved. We played together and knew all our siblings' friends. We had to learn to get along as we lived in close quarters. We helped each other on paper routes in the middle of winter. We were probably each other’s best friends.
                 Maybe that is why I have been enjoying watching the family of Canadian Geese nearby growing up together. I have a collection of 55 photos since they were tiny. I watched the parents protect their young, teach them to fly and finally leave. I was a little sad I must admit when I drove by to see that they were really gone. It must have been at least ten days when finally I had given up hope of seeing them again. On the way home from work yesterday, I glanced again to the field where I had been observing them to see they had come back. Now, the little ones were matured. I pulled off to the side of the road and let my car idle. They would not come near me so I turned off my car. They immediately walked and flew towards me. I snapped as many pictures as I could. I hope you enjoy the few I have chosen.




4 tiny specks in the grass-the goslings


teach us to fly!!


the father always on guard watches his family


look closely in far right corner- a family swims together early morning



we are growing up but still need our parents




we are mature but our parents are nearby always



UPDATE-  [written July 20th,2008] The family of Canadien Geese were only there for that one day. I suppose they were showing their little ones where they were born so they can go back another year. I will be keeping my eyes open.