0 visitors
A sunny cool morning to wake up to today. After a leisurely
breakfast Fred took off to weed whack the North trail again particularly the
end loop which he didn’t get to before. He also brought a hammer and some trail
signs to hammer into the ground at appropriate places. I fielded some emails,
looked out for visitors and finally after a shower got out onto the North trail
to do some clipping, retrieve a small gas can and move a trail sign. The North
trail is the longest and most strenuous trail on the island with lots of steep
ups and downs to get to the northern most part of Seguin Island. There is a
good sized loop at the end that winds itself through a small bog. I met Fred as
he was nearly back and he was quite exhausted. I went clipping down the trail
and at one ridge point saw the two Canadian geese off to the left. I ducked
down and tried to not disturb them as I continued to the spot where a vista
trail veers off and the main trail loops to the right. I went down to the vista
point along the rock cliffs where I saw a large brown bird with her 3 brown
fuzzy babies waddling to hide from me in the distance. I took 3 quick photos
and retreated quickly back up the trail. I saw the mama jump in the ocean but
not the babies. I didn’t want to disturb them any further. I hope the babies
stayed safely hidden while mama came back.
 |
| Mama Duck with three chicks |
So back to the junction I went and this
is where I realize that the vista sign should be placed and I saw it way back
on the trail where I had hiked down from. I called Fred on the radio and
verified. I decided to move the sign later and continued back around with the
gas can I located and continued clipping. I got near the place where Fred had
placed the vista sign when I noticed the geese walking in the trail ahead of me
with their 4 fuzzy babies! What a sight, mama and papa between the chicks
waddling down the trail. I didn’t want to get too close to frighten them so I
kept my distance and carried the shears and gas can. I got to the sign and
removed it and left the can and shears to hike back around to the spot where
the sign should go. Again strenuous up and down for a second time and I located
the spot and pounded in the sign securing it with some rocks. So back up the
trail again for a 3rd time to go back home retrieving the shears and
can and now the heavy hammer. So merrily I am making my way back when I see the
geese again coming back down the trail toward me with their little ones. This
time I want to get pictures. They honk and turn around to go back up the trail
and I gingerly follow them trying to keep out of sight. I periodically drop the
gear so I can use my camera to get some shots. The geese stop in the trail with
the babies instinctively between them and hiding underneath them. I followed
behind them for a bit but eventually wanted to get by them. There was finally a
spot where they went off the trail a bit on a little rock rise. So I gathered
my gear and very quickly went right by them – they standing guard over and
between the babies. The papa came a little forward hissing at me as I hurried
by. He was rightfully protecting his precious family and mama stood silent
guard over her brood. I got a little ways away down the trail and dropped the
gear and got my camera out to get a few more pictures. So I snuck back laying
low and got a few more good shots as they went back on the trail and going away
from me. I apologized and thanked them for their patience and wished them well.
What a neat experience to see them so close, hopefully I didn’t terrorize them
too bad.
 |
| Mama Canadian Goose with 4 chicks, dad was nearby |
I finally got back to the house
with all the gear to see Fred up in the tower on the outer and upper catwalk. I
told him by radio of my goose encounter. Even though tired, I went up in the
tower and joined Fred for a relaxing view of our island kingdom in the warm
sunshine and admired our beautiful lens and light and views. We were starving
and Fred cooked up cheeseburgers on the outside grill while I made a big salad.
We watched the news and I knit on my dress for about an hour before I took Sac
for her evening walk around the whistle house. After getting her back inside I
went back down to the whistle house to return the gas can and just enjoyed the
360 degree views as I walked back to the tower and one more visit to the light.
Back down to enjoy the rest of the evening. Fred went to bed early and Sac and
I stayed up to surf the web and write this blog. Maybe a few more rows of
knitting before retiring. Good night little goslings and chicks – stay safe on
your island home.
No comments:
Post a Comment