GUSTAV GETS A VALENTINE

Yesterday out of the blue, a female Canada Goose made herself at home in Gustav's fenced yard next to our house here on Waverly Lane.  He was euphoric and going through his list of "How to Please a Lady" tricks, which is extensive.  I kept a watchful eye to be sure she didn't tempt him to escape to the icy waters of Queen's Creek, which his white goose genes haven't adequately equipped him to survive if met by a predator.  He can't fly like his Canadian cousins.

Gustav Shows the Lady Around

They spent the day digging roots, eating chicken feed, drinking water, and taking naps in the sunshine.  Until I looked and he was missing, though she was still there unperturbed.  Panicking, I searched every inch  of fenced yard and shoreline, in case he had felt the call to wander.  No sign of him.  I searched the neighboring shorelines and scanned the distance for his white outline.  Then I went back to his fenced yard to see if I overlooked anything.  I noticed one of his plastic swimming pools upside down.  When I flipped it over, up rose Gustav from his dark confines.

Gustav Celebrates Being Liberated from His Pool Prison (behind him)

I surmised that in his eagerness to show off his equipment to the new lady, he planted a heavy webbed foot on the pool's rim and, being empty, it flipped over and cost him an embarrassing moment and a few minus points on the Love Scale with the lovely bird from the North.  To be sure, Gustav is not a gifted thinker, and so he accepted his fate and sat patiently in the dark waiting for a miracle, which I was happy and relieved to provide.  When darkness fell the two were enjoying mutual company.

 Valentines Day Comes Early for Gustav

Surprisingly, this morning the lady friend had departed leaving him only a memory.  Evidently it was only a one-night stand.  For a while he was upset, blaming himself for appearing klutzy with the swimming pool; but you can't keep a good goose down for long.  Still time before Valentines Day!

After All, There Are Lots of Fish in the Sea!