The attack

[Michaelaw]

Took a break today from my grueling project and went to Deer lake to stretch. I went down a seldom used path that leads to a small creek. At the edge of the creek I noticed a Canada goose which is unusual for this this area of the park. The goose seemed agitated, hissing and bobbing his head. I went for a closeup and as the camera is trying to focus, I notice this guys getting pretty big in the viewfinder. He swam right at me and flew up out of the creek right at my head. This first shot is litterally a second before he attacked.




I fell on my arse trying to avoid this mad goose. When I got back on my feet I found the problem when Momma goose, whom I hadn't noticed before starts hissing three feet to my left.




Momma is sitting on four or five big goose eggs. Dad begins his land based attack next just after giving me this look





Mom checks to make sure the nest is in order






while Dad continues to advance with his hissing and head bobbing. In the end I retreated slowly and let them be. I'll be back to check on their progress over the next little while.

[AntZ]

Michaelaw - "War zone Photo Journalist"
Love the "Poking Tongue" shot. I didn't think geese had tongues. This is of course the first time I have ever thought about geese and tongues at anywhere near the same time.

[jjeling]

Nice job Michael. These guys are pretty fierce defenders of their nest and hatchlings. Every year I am attacked by many while fishing. They are usually false charges, but very convincing none the less. When we were little children, my brother was actually attacked by one. It knocked him over and started hitting him with its wings, feet, and pecking at him. Luckily, he was about 50 pounds heavier than the bird, and we were a few steps away to stop it within a few seconds. It was a good laugh afterwards. He wasn't so thrilled though.

[Mad Aussie]

Just behind the tongue ... is some teeth!!

Great captures and story Michael.

[Gem]

Aw, yours are laying eggs already? Mine aren't =( In fact, mine are overfriendly! They started following me around, lol.

I love the dof in the third one. And the tongue of course, in the second! =D