Taffycat
Crunchy Cat
- Joined
- Jun 1, 2006
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During the recent sunny weather, we decided to go to Caerphilly Castle grounds to feed the geese/ducks. We were lucky to find a parking spot fairly close (hubby isn't able to walk too far) and started to cross the green.
Loads of geese were "grazing" on the banks of the moat and around the greens, and as we approached, many eyes gave us the "once-over." "Ooh, humans with baggage.... is it shopping? Or have they come with offerings for US..?" They are very intelligent, and seem to have learnt that if someone just passes through without touching their bags, then they are unlikely to be interesting to a goose. But, if they spot a hand slipping into a bag, it is a cue to honk and let their goose friends know. "Hey! Over here... quick, somebody's brought EATS!"
I began to feed the small gathering of about six, who were closest, but there was a distant honk and I looked up to find about twenty more toddling very purposefully toward us. I was suddenly surrounded. A small skirmish broke-out between two of them who were very close-by, only just missing me (fortunately, because there was nowhere to step to get out of their way.)
They were generally very well-behaved, I did get prodded by the beak of one, who thought he was going to be left out, but he wasn't being the least bit nasty. Terry all this while, was watching from a distance. As a boy, he was regularly chased by a whole gang of farmyard geese who were intent on keeping small boys at bay - although in reality, said small boy was only trying to visit his aunty! But as they were always in a hissy-fit, Terry is still a tad wary (and to be fair, present day leg-problems wouldn't take kindly to any knocks or hard pecks!)
Once the "feeding frenzy" had abated, we continued to have a stroll around and took a few photos so there are a few piccies of our largest local landmark over in the gallery, plus "ye olde bright orange crane" in one.
They are not in quite the right order, and somehow I've managed not to give them a title (ooops!) but if anyone is interested they're HERE 
PS - Ciri, if you read this, there is a special one for Pringle!!
Loads of geese were "grazing" on the banks of the moat and around the greens, and as we approached, many eyes gave us the "once-over." "Ooh, humans with baggage.... is it shopping? Or have they come with offerings for US..?" They are very intelligent, and seem to have learnt that if someone just passes through without touching their bags, then they are unlikely to be interesting to a goose. But, if they spot a hand slipping into a bag, it is a cue to honk and let their goose friends know. "Hey! Over here... quick, somebody's brought EATS!"
I began to feed the small gathering of about six, who were closest, but there was a distant honk and I looked up to find about twenty more toddling very purposefully toward us. I was suddenly surrounded. A small skirmish broke-out between two of them who were very close-by, only just missing me (fortunately, because there was nowhere to step to get out of their way.)
They were generally very well-behaved, I did get prodded by the beak of one, who thought he was going to be left out, but he wasn't being the least bit nasty. Terry all this while, was watching from a distance. As a boy, he was regularly chased by a whole gang of farmyard geese who were intent on keeping small boys at bay - although in reality, said small boy was only trying to visit his aunty! But as they were always in a hissy-fit, Terry is still a tad wary (and to be fair, present day leg-problems wouldn't take kindly to any knocks or hard pecks!)
Once the "feeding frenzy" had abated, we continued to have a stroll around and took a few photos so there are a few piccies of our largest local landmark over in the gallery, plus "ye olde bright orange crane" in one.
They are not in quite the right order, and somehow I've managed not to give them a title (ooops!) but if anyone is interested they're HERE PS - Ciri, if you read this, there is a special one for Pringle!!
