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"Have you or anyone at the DNR ever heard of a Canada goose nesting in a tree?"
The young, news reporter from Anderson, Ind. almost seemed embarrassed to ask the question.
A few moments earlier, a college professor specializing in natural resources had lectured her that a person who had reported seeing a large bird nesting in a tree on a golf course in the central Indiana city must have misidentified the species.
It must have been a great blue heron. Geese have webbed feet that aren't suitable for landing in trees or clinging to branches. Besides, Canada geese nest on the ground --- often on islands or sandbars to reduce contact with predators.
I told the reporter that I might not have believed her --- if I hadn't seen it myself.
I came upon a goose up a tree just one year ago while canoeing on the White River in southern Hamilton County. A large branch on a silver maple tree stretched out over the river as much as 20 feet above the surface of the water.
The expectant mother was doing her duty, sitting on the nest atop her lofty perch. The proud papa was honking below to let the intruders know we were not welcome.
Of course, I didn't have a camera on that trip.
I packed the canoe with photo gear a week later. There were four geese in the area, but none were up a tree.
The water was up and moving swiftly the following week, so I left the camera at home. Sure enough, two geese were up the tree. This time, I got to see one of the birds attempt a landing. It wasn't the most graceful touch down, but it looked pretty good for a bird used to splashing down.
I told very few people about what I had seen. After all, who would believe me?
When the reporter called in late April, I 'fessed up about what I saw last Spring. I said that, even though geese often return to the same place to nest year after year, this probably is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. So, enjoy watching the goofy bird while you have the chance.
However, I may have underestimated the resolve or repetitive nesting habits of a Canada goose.
Just like deja vu all over again, Mother Goose was sitting on her old perch above the river in Hamilton County. As you might expect, I didn't bring a camera on that trip.
I was determined the following weekend to get a photo. The canoe was packed full of camera gear and several lenses.
As you might expect. The tree was empty. Nesting season was about over and this might be the last chance. So we waited.
There was honking and neck bobbing and all sorts of threatening behavior to tell us that we didn't belong. Eventually, however, Mother Goose returned to the nest.
She descended with great aplomb. Gone was the bounce and stumble from a year earlier. Landing in a tree has become second nature for this goose. Her mate joined her for awhile, but flew toward the canoe in dramatic fashion as we maneuvered closer to capture the scene on film.
How did these different geese in Madison and Hamilton counties learn to nest in trees? By watching and learning from wood ducks or other tree-nesting birds? By creatively adapting to evade predators? Or, did they come into this world in a similar nest?
I'll leave that for people who know more than I do about birds and their interesting habits. I'll just hope that Mother Goose had a productive nest and that she'll return to her familiar perch next year.
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Stephen Sellers, editor
