Darling Down-Covered Goslings Take To Water: Photo Of The Day

ALAMEDA, CA — Steve Gorman is piling on the cuteness with this photo of more than a dozen adorable goslings.

"It's baby duck and goose season in Alameda, and the pond at Robert W. Crown Memorial Beach is seeing plenty of action," Steve writes. "Newborn goslings and ducklings are regularly accompanied down to the water by their watchful parents, as responsible humans keep their children and dogs from harming the newborns.

"It's so endearing to see the little flocks making their way over the grass and down to to water, as the little ones struggle to keep up on their tiny legs.

In this photo, a large brood of goslings gathers near its parent in water. It often seems that a certain amount of co-parenting is going on, as multiple adults seem to be accompanying large groups of chicks."

They can walk, swim, and feed within 24 hours of hatching, but it will take about 10 weeks of nurturing and growing flight feathers before these fluff balls will be able to fly.

Thanks for sharing your photo and insights, Steve!

The young, called goslings, can walk, swim, and feed within 24 hours. Both parents (especially the gander) vigorously defend the goslings until they are able to fly, which is at about ten weeks.

If you have an awesome photo of nature, breath-taking scenery, kids caught being kids, a pet doing something funny, or something unusual you happen to catch with your camera, we'd love to feature it on Patch.

We're looking for high-resolution images that reflect the beauty and fun that is Northern California, and that show off your unique talents.

Email it to autumn.johnson@patch.com.

Also See:

• Wild Rosemary Blooming: Photo Of The Day
• Hilltop Views In Moraga: Photos Of The Day
• Painted Sky: Photo Of The Day
• Dry Creek Pioneer Regional Park: Photo Of The Day