The Geese of Wenlli Part 12
|
Winter is hard for the geese. Energy must be conserved so they stay in their shed longer, get up late and go to bed early. Snow is lovely to eat, saves worrying about finding water, but it plays havoc with their sight and they become "snow blind" Keeping warm is coped with just like birds do in the winter. Feathers are plumped and fluffed until they form one protective, thermal layer all over the body. Suddenly the gaggle look very different and the geese I knew by name are not recognisable to me. I certainly mixed Babe and Rae! The race for bread in the snow was not as animated as usual - wings stayed firmly tucked in and running was hardly more than a fast walk. They seemed to understand that they needed the warmth and comfort of their shed once they had eaten, as though they had to conserve strength. Did I say "warmth" of their shed? It isn't warm, just a wooden shed with plenty of draughts like any normal shed, but that's all they need since they carry their own thermals with them wherever they go! In the top right of the picture "Bathing near Pam's grave" you will see the little wooden goose whose wings spin in the breeze, it marks Gosling Pam's grave.
|
