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Fishhawk Lake Real Estate-The Story of our Lake Goose

By
Real Estate Agent with John L Scott Market Center 700512026

The Story of our Lake Goose

The first time I ever “met” our resident lady Lake Goose, she was with two others, a male and female. I was taking photos of my new Fishhawk Lake lakefront listing several years ago and was on the shoreline when they came swimming up. The Three Geese on Fishhawk Lake-Gayle Rich-Boxman 2008 Copyrighted All Rights Reserved

I went home and got some bread and fed them.  I believe she was a widow, since several species of birds mate for life. Feeding the Geese on Fishhawk Lake-Gayle Rich-Boxman 2008 Copyrighted All Rights Reserved

Soon after, the other two disappeared. She was alone. I saw her wandering down the paved road, way off the lake, her voice raised in desperate honks looking for them everywhere. It tore at my heart and to this day still brings tears.

As the years have gone by, she has kept mostly to herself. The Canadian Geese will fly in for the wintersCanadian Geese in Flight-Gayle Rich-Boxman 2013 Copyrighted All Rights Reserved

 

 

 and occasionally they have allowed her to tag along. But, mostly I see her alone, thriving, year after year.

 Lady Lake Goose-Gayle Rich-Boxman 2011-Copyrighted All Rights Reserved

I thought she might be an Emperor Goose, who seem to gravitate towards lakes and rivers, marshes and such in areas similar to Fishhawk Lake, in British Columbia, Washington, Oregon and parts of northern California, but mostly Alaska. But her beak is the wrong shape and color. From a bit of research, she seems to lean more towards the Pilgrim Goose breed, a rare domestic breed that originated in Iowa around 1935. Their status is listed as critical. Her face has more white, but like many of us humans, she started out a different shade most likely and it got whiter with age. After reading that they have a good temperament, with a calm and sweet nature, which she embodies, I think that fits our Lake Goose to a T! 

Last summer I was showing lakefront property on Fishhawk Lake to prospective buyers who had a young son. We walked out onto the deck facing the lake. Who should greet us but our lady Lake Goose and two mallard ducks! She waddled determinedly right up onto the deck looking for handouts. I went to my truck and got some tasty morsels, some liver treats for my Golden Retrievers. She ate gently right out of my hand, much to the delight of the buyers.

It seems that she has been here at least 15 years, from the history of one of my neighbors who readily feeds all of the geese and other birds throughout the seasons, from their lakefront home that’s listed with me. I had no idea that they live this long. I just read that Pilgrim geese live about 20-22 years. 

I hadn’t seen her much this winter and I worry about her. This past weekend, though,she went gliding by my lakefront home and I grabbed my camera. The weather had warmed up enough to melt the ice that had formed in the last couple of weeks on Fishhawk Lake and she was out for a stroll….by herself. I caught a few shots of her in between my greenery.

Fishhawk Lake Goose-Gayle Rich-Boxman 2013 Copyright All Rights Reserved

Then, moments later, I saw a group of coots head her way. They exchanged hellos as she moved along her solitary path.

Fishhawk Lake Goose and Coots-Gayle Rich-Boxman 2013 Copyrighted All Rights Reserved

 

 She looked quite content.

 

 

Comments (16)

Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thanks, Gayle, for sharing this wonderful story and your beautiful photographs.  You make all of us dream of a home at Fishhawk Lake.

Jan 27, 2013 11:09 PM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Gayle,

What  a lovely story you told about you resident goose.  It embodied the feeling of your marvelous Fishhawk community.  Have a great week. A

Jan 27, 2013 11:23 PM
Rose King
David Tracy Real Estate - Friendswood, TX
Friendswood / Pearland / Houston Bay Area

Good Morning, Gayle! What a wonderful story to read right off the bat today! You should write a children's book about her, and illustrate it with your beautiful photographs. :)

Jan 27, 2013 11:52 PM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate
John L Scott Market Center - Birkenfeld, OR
"Your Local Expert!" 503-739-3843

Roy, it's always a plus when you stop by!

Alexandra, I have a very special place in my heart for her. I hope that she can grace our community for many more years.

Rose, it's so ironic that you say that this morning...I couldn't sleep, got to compiling this story in my head and thought, gosh maybe someday I can put all of my Fishhawk stories together...I swear it's amazing how closely linked you and I can be at times!

 

Jan 28, 2013 12:38 AM
Than Maynard
Coldwell Banker Heart of Oklahoma - Purcell, OK
Broker - Licensed to List & Sell - 405-990-8862

Thanks for sharing the story. Too bad she won't be able to provide more youngsters to increase the numbers.

Jan 28, 2013 01:07 AM
John G. Johnston
John G. Johnston & Associates, LLC - Westcliffe, CO
An Exclusive Buyer's Agent ~ Westcliffe, CO

Gayle   Move over Garrison Keillor.  Story time has begun.  Please, never stop telling your great tales.

Jan 28, 2013 01:26 PM
Kristin Hamilton CA REALTOR
Berkshire Hathaway California Realty - Beaumont, CA
(909) 557-6966- Specialize 55+ Communties Banning

Hi Gayle,

Such a sad little story and I wonder where her friends took off to? I am sure she is lonely but many probably stop in to visit. Formally called Lady Lake Goose but now she could be called the "Queen of Fishhawk Lake". Too bad someone couldn't bring in a couple of geese to live there with her. I wonder how long their lifespan is?

Jan 29, 2013 11:15 AM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate
John L Scott Market Center - Birkenfeld, OR
"Your Local Expert!" 503-739-3843

Kristin, from what I'm gathering, she has lived her for almost her whole life span! One of the folks I spoke with who's lived here for MANY years, thinks that she's been here for over 20 years. They live 2-22 years, according to my research. She has befriended many other bird species around here and doesn't seem to be at a loss for companionship.

Jan 29, 2013 12:53 PM
Sondra Meyer:
EXP Realty, LLC - Corpus Christi, TX
See It. Experience It. Live It.

Hi Gayle, this is such a sweet story but now you make me worry about her also.  She sounds really old. 

I forgot about your dogs being golden retrievers.  I've decided my new puppy is a Great Pyrenees/Golden Retriever cross.  She seems to combine the best of both breeds.

Jan 29, 2013 01:20 PM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate
John L Scott Market Center - Birkenfeld, OR
"Your Local Expert!" 503-739-3843

Sondra, it IS bittersweet...I have to admit, I look for her often. She totally has my heart! I just loved watching her this last weekend, tooling around the lake in front of me, just taking it all in...she seemed so placid, and honestly--she looked like she had a smile on her face as she was surrounded by those coots!

Great Pyrenees/Golden? wow--what a beauty! And SWWWEEEEET. BUT, a shedder!!

Jan 29, 2013 01:29 PM
Sondra Meyer:
EXP Realty, LLC - Corpus Christi, TX
See It. Experience It. Live It.

Hi again,   I'm glad that goose seems to be really happy.    It must be wonderful watching her all these years. 

So far the pup isn't shedding too bad...lol  She spent 5 hours the groomers last weekend.  I think it took them about four hours to get her dried.  I bring her in at night and brush her every night and am just awed at how much hair comes out.  Does yours shed a lot? 

Jan 29, 2013 01:40 PM
Gloria Todor
Premier Property Sales & Rentals - Springfield, PA
& Doug Durren (484) 431-3686 in SE PA

Hi Gayle, Thank you for sharing your story about your lady Lake goose in the BIRDS Group.  Too bad there are not other males she can hook up with.  As a birder I often wonder what happens to widowed birds such as canadian geese that mate for life.  I guess they only get one chance.....  Nice photos to go with your story.  Great photo of the young buck in the undercover.

Featured in BIRDS Group!

Gloria

Feb 13, 2013 10:13 AM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate
John L Scott Market Center - Birkenfeld, OR
"Your Local Expert!" 503-739-3843

OH, Gloria, I'm THRILLED to have her story featured--thank you! I feel that even though she's a widow (I figure), that the others rally around her when they come for whatever season....she's such a gentle soul.

Feb 13, 2013 10:37 AM
Gloria Todor
Premier Property Sales & Rentals - Springfield, PA
& Doug Durren (484) 431-3686 in SE PA

You are welcomed Gayle!  Nice that you are watching out for her!  Please give us updates!  Nice to have a creature in the wild as a part of your daily activites!  All the best.  

Gloria

Feb 13, 2013 11:30 AM
Sharon Lee
Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance - Jonesborough, TN
Retired and loving life

Good morning Gayle-I am glad I saw this even though it was posted a while back. Such a wonderful story. I think she embodies what Fishhawk is with nature, beauty and tranquility. She is quite the queen bird of your lake and a fitting mascot for your area. Even though she is alone on Fishhawk she is really not alone. She has companionship from the human neighbors as well as the bird companions. Much like single or widowed people sometimes.

Feb 13, 2013 09:55 PM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate
John L Scott Market Center - Birkenfeld, OR
"Your Local Expert!" 503-739-3843

Gloria, I'm sure she will make guest appearances through the year.

Sharon, being a bird lover, I'm especially glad that you got to see this! Our mutual love and care of animals is even better when we share it.

 

Feb 14, 2013 12:09 AM