Mike Digout, a Saskatoon resident, held a grudge against Canadian geese until he came across a remarkable mother goose while walking along the Saskatchewan riverbanks. With his camera in hand, he was on the lookout for beavers when he witnessed a mother goose taking care of her large family. He was amazed by how the geese defended their nests and competed for the best spots to build them. In May, he witnessed the hatching of the goslings, which he describes as small tennis balls with legs, and began photographing them.
Image Courtesy: mikedigout / Instagram
While sitting by the riverside one evening, Mike noticed a mother goose with an extensive brood of goslings. As night approached, all 16 youngsters slipped beneath their mother’s protecting wings, which left Mike awestruck. He visited the same spot every night and noticed the brood growing. He counted up to 47 goslings that were being cared for by the same mother goose and her companion.
Image Courtesy: mikedigout / Instagram
What was more astonishing was that this compassionate mother goose also cared for goslings from other households, known as gang brood. This happens when patient geese’ parents look after the young of other geese, giving their friends a break. Despite being surrounded by 47 goslings, the mother goose remained stoic and calm, and the goslings slept in a massive pile while their guardians watched over them.
Image Courtesy: mikedigout / Instagram
Image Courtesy: mikedigout / Instagram
Image Courtesy: mikedigout / Instagram
Image Courtesy: mikedigout / Instagram
Since then, the brood has been divided into three main family groups, but the mother goose and her companion are still caring for 25 goslings and will continue to do so until it’s time for them to fly south. Mike Digout’s opinion on Canadian geese has completely changed, and he now admires them for their remarkable parenting skills and compassion.
