Geese and Friends.

It's been cold enough for ice to form on the lake. Canada Geese like to hang out around an unfrozen pond in the middle of the ice. I imagine it offers safety if a predator should appear. 

Weekend Reflections / Saturday Critters / I'd Rather Be Birdin'

Some mallard ducks were out there too. 

At least two families of mostly white geese live near us.  One group visits our back yard every day. They seem to think they own the place. 

I saw some visiting ducks. These are not mallards. (What are they? Buffleheads?)

Goldfinches visit our yard just about every day, probably because I feed them. 

Yesterday I looked out and saw a couple of young squirrels who did not know that the geese own the yard. At first the geese were curious about the furry intruders. Then the gray goose, who often watches over the others, decided to intimidate the squirrels. 

The squirrels did not react immediately but then they moved away. The lead goose strutted off with his head held high. 

I've noticed that geese often do that: stretch their necks up after behaving aggressively. Some people do this too.