Egyptian Goose

[EddieWalker]

Steph has taken to nature and bird watching something fierce. She started out enjoying the birds that come to our bird feeders and decided to buy a bird book. Now she spends her time watching the pasture that she shot her hog in and looking in the trees for birds. Than it's out with the book to identify what she's seen.

Last night we took a walk down to the where I'm creating a lake to see what's flying around. In the middle of the lake area she spoted what we thought at first was a funny looking duck feeding on the new plant growth coming up.

This morning she brought the camera!!!

Eddie

 

[EddieWalker]

I knew what an Egyption Goose was from my Safari to Africa and wanting to shoot one there. I've also seen them at the zoo, but I've never seen one in the wild.

According to what we could find online last night, they do not exist here in North America as a wild species.

We watched from a distance last night, but with the camera, we were crawling through the mud sneeking up on it.

Eddie

 

[EddieWalker]

The closer we got to it, the more we realized it wasn't afraid of us. Obviously it's been aroung people before.

At about a dozen feet, it would get alarmed and make a noise sort of like a horse cough and walk away from us to keep the distance.

Eddie

 

[EddieWalker]

I started to think I might be able to catch him and carry him back to the small pond. It just seems like a neet thing to have around the house.

But he wouldn't let us get any closer.

Eddie

 

[EddieWalker]

He's just amazing in his colors and how beautiful he is!!!

Eddie

 

[EddieWalker]

He doesn't seem too interesed in swimming and came to the shore fairly quickly.

Eddie

 

[EddieWalker]

Last one.

He's walking back to where were standing up on the grassy area. He's not afraid of us, but just want's his space.

Why he's here is a total mystery. How long he'll stay is also a mystery.

You just never know what will turn up next!!!!

Eddie

 

[3RRL]

Eddie,
That's pretty interesting to see something that rare on your property? I'm surprised there was only one and not a mate. I wonder if he's not an escapee from a nearby zoo or something?

Last weekend I saw 2 wild turkeys at my property. I've hunted all over during the last 35 years and never seen one. My 10 year old son and I heard them from quite a distance away and finally saw them cross our meadow. We also have Great Blue Herons and Snowy Egrets and lots of Turkey Vultures, not to mention Great Owls and Red tailed Hawks all over.

I'll have to start shooting them (photos of course) and post. Maybe Steph might get a kick out of them.

 

[scott_vt]

Mornin Eddie,
Very interesting bird and beautiful as well! Thanks for sharing, about how large is this bird? Obviously bigger than a pigeon, but as big as a seagull?

Thanks,
scotty

 

[fishman]

Eddie, that's cool!

When I first saw your pictures, I thought it might be a black-bellied tree duck seen here , as these are becoming quite common even as far north as Central Texas. I see them pretty frequently on private lakes and tanks. However, on closer inspection, it does appear to be an Egyptian goose seen here . Surely it must be an escapee from a local zoo or bird enthusiast.