
Happy Earth Day 2025. Earth Day is a fixed date holiday, always April 22. We were out looking around trying to find something to feature and happened upon this family of Canada Geese. They reminded us of the extent to which animals have adapted to co-exist with humans in and around asphalt jungles.
These migratory birds, Canada geese, are found as far north as the Arctic. In Greensboro, they are most likely to be found in Wal-Mart parking lots. They love freshly mowed grass next to a water source,- even retention ponds. Such is the case with the above family. They were grazing on the little patch of grass near a retention pond at the North Battleground Wal-Mart.
North Carolina has both migratory and resident populations of the geese. It is estimated there are 10-12 thousand in migratory Canada geese and over 100,000 residents. They are a good food source to native predators like foxes and coyotes. The above male goose was pretty aggressive about protecting his hen and their six babies. Traditionally, they lay eggs in March and April and the incubation period lasts 66-30 days. This past week, we have seen them popping up everywhere.
If you get a chance, do something today to celebrate nature and to help it along. Key concepts include, reduce, reuse, recycle, share, protect, plant edibles and native plants. And, don't feed the Canada geese. They know what they need to survive!
Happy 55th Anniversary of Earth Day! Happy 45+ years of resident Canada Geese in Greensboro!