Mother Goose (and Father Goose too)

Another day on the river in the kayak, this time we went further ( and I am sure I will pay for that tomorrow). It started out to be better than the last run almost immediately , though the wind was stiff and cold at times. It did not feel 60 degrees. It was , however more interesting. We saw lots of mallards , a few common mergansers , lots of grackles  and blackbirds. There were plenty of killdeer again , but then we started to see smaller not quite killdeer like birds that I did not get great shots of (one in extras) that turned out to be the wows of the day. It appears some were spotted sandpipers ,listed as found on rocky freshwater shores ,widely distributed but uncommon . /the other surprise were several least sandpipers..Yes I know they are shorebirds that also are found at least part of the year in the far north , but there they were.And yes I have a photo,they apparently can be found anywhere in between during migration,unless they have decided to settle in Broome County like the geese in the photo. Mom and Pop here with the kids are part of the local boys , the flock that has steadily been getting larger over the last 20 years , and stays all year. Makes a mess in the park but the goslings are adorable 
i thought it was amusing the way the parents shepherded their kids along. Reminiscent of days long ago for us.







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