Spring crop of goslings

Last year when the goslings came to visit thee wre seven with Mama. This year there are six and Papa came too but he walked on ahead and didn't get in the photo.  The seven last year were five by their second visit.  I suspect a couple met the local coyotes or foxes (although I'e seen neither I'm told they are around). I hope the six come back.  It's a bit of a walk for such little ones from across the street  (about half a normal city block) with a rather busy street to cross. But so far I've never seen a goose get hit on this street.

Many people further along our street have turkeys but I had seen only one visitation winter before last. However last week two arrived on a gray drizzling day, I believe male and female. The male stood on my mini patio which was protection from the rain while his mate  roamed the lawn eating whatever it is they find to eat in the grass.  After a while the rather ugly fellow (that red wattle may be attractive to female turkeys but seems like a ragged old bit of garbage to me), ventured into the wet. He  stood on the lawn, fluffed out his feathers making himself look at least a third-again his normal size.  And then he shook like a wet dog.  They did not stay long, this is not their usual territory.

But a couple days ago a female (possibly the same one) arrived on the mini-patio while I was eating breakfast about 7:00. Again it was a wet, drizzly day. She simply stood occasionally moving her head back and forth or up and down but doing nothing at all. I got tired of watching her, got washed and dressed. She was still there. I began wondering if she has turkey-Alzheimers and got lost and didn't know how to go home.  I went to twork on some quilting ... for uite a while. Sometimes before 10:00 she went away.  I didn't see her leave.

Those are my largish avian visitors.   Usually gulls next on the flat roof of this builing and make a lot of noise as they come and go seeking or perhaps bringing food back for sitting mates. But it's been quiet this spring.  I'ma most desultry bird watcher.