Once upon a time, in a perfect spot of the Universe, there was a little plot of land called "Harraden's Habitat"...... and the wildlife came to see this perfect spot of greenery and look to see if it was a civilized land and kind to animals. Okay, the civilized is carrying it a bit too far, but it was the PERFECT place for all animals, great and small. Wait, there goes a wild elephant..... psych......! Anyway, in April 1997, a Canadian Goose came walking down the long driveway from a main highway, trailed by his four, day old chicks. It was love at first site. After Daddy Goose spent an hour or so there eating grain and corn thrown to him by Mom and Dad, and then taking a nap with one leg up, he looked around, making sure his kids were okay and then gracefully took off, never to be seen again at the Habitat. Two of his little ones made it and were lovingly named Conkus and Madeline. Then in May of 1998, five more little goslings arrived at the Habitat and proceeded to be taken under Madeline's maternal wing. It didn't take long for the flock to grow, mature, and get their adult flight feathers. Early in August, they started getting restless and practicing their flying up and down the long driveway between the gate and the shop..... and soon, making longer flights.
The weekend of August 15th was their break for freedom. We believe the whole group now lives at a neighbors' pond, getting all comfortable for the winter ahead, but we know they are happy with their freedom. The Habitat would have it no other way. God flies on the wings of the wild and protects them in their journey. We know they are safe.
Click on the pic to see a bigger view.....
Our Wonderful Canadian Geese
And then you have the emus. Ahh, how many people can say they've had pet emus? How many people want to admit it? Look, they're ugly, got long necks, really weird faces, even longer, scaly legs that need to be shaved, and BIG feet! I mean BIG FEET! But somehow, Mom and Dad got themselves a very young pair in 1995 that broke records by laying 21 eggs when they were only a year and a half old, and out of those 21 eggs, 19 of them were fertile! Amazing... and in 1997, Dave and Debby laid 33 eggs and ALL of them were fertile. Below, you'll see some of the pictures of their progeny from the 1997 breeding season. Now, Dave and Debby still live here with 8 of their 1998 babies... 4 of them were actually incubated, hatched and raised by the parents and are not tame, but the other 4 are very sweet like their parents and are considered pets. But don't get all teary eyed over them, they're really very stupid. I don't care what Mom and Dad say, they're like rocks. Certainly not as smart as any one of us inside birds. Even Max is smarter than the emus. Oops, better not say that too loud, Mom will wash out my beak with soap..... sorry, Max.....
