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Jean-Luc, Dominique and Minuette in the Issaquah Creek
Greylag geese exhibit a family life existence that is in many
ways similar to human family life. They learn from generation
to generation. Hand-reared geese such as ours, do not get instincts
for autumn migration, they are content to stay where they have
been raised.
Pair formation, (sometimes 2 females and 1 male, like in our
case) a sort of marriage among greylag geese, follow almost exactly
the same course as humans. It starts with an infatuation for
his female(s), followed by an intensive courtship ... similar
to that of young human males. A partnership ceremony, the so-called
"triumph-calling ceremony" is performed. Then if nothing
intervenes, the geese subsequently remain faithful to each other
for the rest of their lives.
Greylag geese that are hand-reared usually bond with their care
taker. Our goslings Jean-Luc, Dominque and Minuette
lived in our mud room for about six weeks. We had feeding and
playing schedules that we carried out and continued with even
when we eventually moved them to their home outside.
Every evening before safely being put to bed in their cozy little
barn, they look forward to our family walk around our yard. This
includes exercise of fast running and flapping wings, which they
associate with the word "fly" ... leaving the ground
a maximum of about a foot.
On occasion one of our females (Dominique) likes to show off
and will get off the ground about 6 feet ... then the story-telling
between them begins, (honk honk honk) a very social experience
they share with us as well.
Being very domesticated, Jean-Luc, Dominique and Minuette
are content within the bounds of our creek property.
Greylag geese live a long life. We know of a greylag goose in
Richmond, BC. Canada who is 22 years old.
They look forward to vegetarian left-overs, and the best treat
of all - "bread".
Our geese respond to words like fly, bread, corn, swim, creek,
bed and kiss ... YES kiss, we taught our gander Jean-Luc to give
kisses !
They will steal a piece of your heart, and your life will never
be the same again !
They will teach you by their example, how to relax and rest ...
a sight that represents a most beautiful and peaceful lullaby
... they sink fully relaxed into sleep, to a place that seems,
among humans, to be confined to childhood ... a place that we
need to re-visit ourselves on a regular basis, to enhance contentment
in our own lives.
MAY THE PEACE OF GEESE BE WITH YOU !
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