In Fredericksburg we have a big shopping area called Central Park…and no there is absolutely no relation or resemblance to the amazing one in NYC. But it does the job and holds my sanctuary (Target)…I frequent it often. The developers did a great job and put in many ponds, trees, lots of landscape, etc…problem is….it has also brought in lots of Canadian Geese, and other water foul as well. But the Geese this time of year stroll through Target parking lots (smart birds), nest behind the Toys R Us, and wander across many roads of pent up frustrated Fredericksburg shoppers. Shopping in Fredericksburg can make anyone a hazard…a hazard that would put road rage to shame. So you take that, an automobile, typical road rage, and Geese and their multitude of little Goslings together…and you have an wildlife lover nightmare.
I am that crazy lady that will park her car and shoo the ducks across the road…or carry a lazy turtle to the other side (always take them the way they are going…or else they will just do it again…it is instinct). I am the one that will stop the traffic to get them across the street…since for some reason…they don’t really seem to see a need to rush. The 2 ton vehicle’s are just not enough, but you take a early 30′s mom of three and they scooch along at a high speed waddle.
In high school I volunteered at the Virginia Wildlife Center…I hand fed and raised orphaned squirrels, turtles, opossums, birds, rabbits, etc. You name it, I have probably fed it. When I met my hubby (then BF) I had 10…yes you read right…TEN baby Opossums. Luckily he was already head over heels in love with me, or else I think I would have soiled the deal when I showed up with those guys! Ever since those days…animals find me…or in todays instance…I find them.
Today after my morning session, I popped into Toys R Us to pick up my daughter’s bike that was being fixed when I saw a group of Geese and their Goslings. I have never seen so many babies in one area. So I parked the car…giddy that I had my camera with me, no kids to keep me from playing and rather people shyless Geese. There were groups and groups of them….at all different ages of development. I would guess just in that one area 5 or 6 different families…each with a waddle line of 10-25 goslings. So I slowly wandered over and doing my low level thigh squats started snapping…inching and inching as close as I could. It was amazing. Then….duty called. While I was at the back of the parking lot with one group….two smaller families were heading to the main road…and the honking (cars not the Geese) began. So waddled (I mean wandered) over and shooed them back towards their pond at the back of the parking lot. There is a guy out there with a cell phone pick of me doing this…maybe it will pop up one day!
So…lesson is…be patient with the Geese…especially with their babies in tow. Don’t laugh too hard at the wackos (ech hem…me) that stop and give them an extra push in the direction of safety. And do not bring all your babies to me…hubby will not love you :). Enjoy some wildlife newborn photography!
