During a heavy rain storm momma Canada Goose attempts to shelter her sole hatchling under the umbrella of her expansive wing. But, the chick, with somewhat of an independent streak, kept popping its head out for a peek around in spite of its protesting mother.

CANADA GEESE—
The Breeding Saga Concludes

In earlier blog chapters we learned two breeding females had established nests on the pond having enjoyed the fertilization services of a solitary male goose; regardless of the fact these critters are usually known to mate for life—in the monogamous fashion.

After the last chapter in this story appeared the lesser experienced female with the nest below the high tide level suffered yet another flooding of her nest.

With several, multi-day interruptions in her incubation duties I feared her effort would fail. But, she persisted in her duties.

Then, amazingly to me, she was soon seen swimming on the pond in celebration of the hatching of her newly arrived chick while the veteran momma goose continued her incubation effort on the high and dry surface of the island.

Finally, a day or so later, I noticed the island lady goose was off her nest with no additional chicks in sight.

Meanwhile, the male goose, I presume, had taken up fatherly chores with the celebratory female in escorting the single chick about the pond.

But, a day later, when I had the opportunity to examine the below high tide nest I found five eggs there with no evidence of a sixth egg ever being present, hatched or otherwise.

Then, the protective male goose began to chase away the chick-less, island female who I thought was his mate in the first place.

I’m glad I do not have to sort out the genealogical details on this chick’s birth announcement.