PASS THE CIGARS PLEASE--

On this rainy Spring morning, three days after they hatched, 6 Canada Goose chicks explore the edge of my pond; the two in the right foreground being the last to squirm out from under momma goose's protective canopy of spread wings.

Often she will gather her brood and stuff them under her wings out of the inclement weather--or just for their periodic naps.

Just as often the rambunctious chicks will only tolerate mom's comfort for a few moments, then, first one, then a second chick will wiggle to freedom with their siblings following quickly; launching themselves on another browsing tour of their new world. 

Poppa goose is just out of the frame to the right watching carefully that his family is safe from any threat that might appear.