Journal of a Sabbatical

June 18, 2000

goslings

Today's Bird Sightings:
Watchemoket Cove
Canada geese (50)
domestic geese (2)
mute swan (100)
snowy egret (1)
mallard (30)
common tern (2)
great black backed gull (1)
ring-billed gull (14)
herring gull (9)
starling (9)
house sparrow (2)
mourning dove (1)
American crow (1)
Colt State Park
herring gull (6)
great black backed gull (1)
double-crested cormorant (2)
mute swan (4)
great egret (1)
starling (100)
house sparrow (4)
American robin (1)

Today's Reading: Summer: From the Journal of Henry D. Thoreau edited by H.G.O. Blake, Traces of Thoreau by Stephen Mulloney

Today's Starting Pitcher:
Jeff Fassero

The goslings we saw at the cove on Mother's Day are considerably larger and more goose-like today. There's one younger one that still looks all gangly and yellow, but the rest of them look like small faded adults. Everything seems to be molting. Feathers everywhere. Goose feathers, swan feathers, mallard feathers, gull feathers...

In previous years, I've counted the "tame" Canada goose population - the ones who beg for bread - at about 15, while flocks of 100-200 wild ones would stop by in the fall. There are about 50 of the local non-migratory bread-loving ones now. The adults are even leading the youngsters right up to the breaders and showing them how to beg. This is quite a change from hissing at any human who got close to the goslings.

The swan population seems higher too. They'll take over the whole state soon. Curiously, although swans are supposed to drive off Canada geese and all the wild ducks, they coexist peacefully in the cove. It does disturb me a little that at least two pairs have spread to Colt State Park, but I don't think they'll find good breeding territory there - not to mention the lack of breaders.

I am way tired after not sleeping Friday night/Saturday morning and then spending all day yesterday anxiously watching Wilbur for after effects of the anesthesia and pain killer - no to mention any signs that the bite was still bothering him. So I made this a very short Rhode Island trip - down this morning, back this afternoon.

Wilbur is still acting a little off. He hides under the couch most of the evening while I sit in the recliner reading Traces of Thoreau. Normally, he would be sitting on my chest while I'm reading. However, he doesn't seem to be in pain and he does eat - dry food even - without wincing. His face doesn't look so swollen anymore either, but it's kind of hard for me to tell.

What a strange weekend.