Goslings, Turtles, and a Heron Named Hank - May 7, 2025

After a few days of stepping back from photography to rest and reset, the sun called my soul out to play today. The sky was blue, the light just right, and something told me it was time to check on the local park wildlife—especially with baby season approaching. And I wasn’t disappointed.

Right near the pond’s edge, I was greeted by a gaggle of fuzzy goslings waddling beside their ever-watchful parents. The adults were busy teaching their little ones how to forage for dinner, their heads bobbing low in the grass while keeping a sharp eye on passersby like me. I crouched quietly at a distance, grateful for my 600mm lens, doing my best to snap a few portraits of the adorable babies—though they made it tricky by darting about and huddling together like a moving puffball of fluff.

Did You Know?

Baby geese, called goslings, can walk, swim, and feed themselves within 24 hours of hatching! Despite their independence, they stay close to their parents for protection and guidance—and will often follow them in a tight line, imprinting on them as their primary caregivers.

Goslings hatch with fluffy yellow down feathers that help keep them warm, but they aren’t waterproof! That’s why you’ll often see them huddling under their parents’ wings after swimming—until they grow their juvenile feathers and start producing their own waterproofing oils.

As I continued my loop around the pond, I spotted painted turtles basking on sun-warmed logs, their tiny heads tilted skyward, perfectly still, as if meditating in the light. It was peaceful, grounding, and somehow made the park feel even more alive.

Western Painted Turtles, are native to parts of British Columbia, including Vancouver Island. They’re beautiful, semi-aquatic turtle. They love basking on logs and rocks in ponds, marshes, and slow-moving waters.

Did You Know?

Western Painted Turtles bask in the sun not just to warm up, but also to absorb UV light, which helps keep their shells healthy. Their colorful red and yellow markings aren’t just beautiful—they help camouflage them in the dappled light of ponds and marshes. And unlike many reptiles, they can survive months underwater in winter by slowing their metabolism and absorbing oxygen through their skin!

Then came Hank. Hank the Heron. Can you see him?

He glided in from a tiny island in the middle of the pond, landing with purpose on a log already claimed by a turtle. But they shared it like old friends. Hank—majestic, prehistoric-looking, and unbothered by us humans—began scanning the water for dinner.

He moved with such deliberate grace, pausing now and then to crouch low as if ready to strike... and then he wouldn't. I swear he looked directly at me several times. And in one of those moments, it felt like we saw each other.

If Hank could talk, I imagine he'd say, “What are you staring at? I’m just being my awesome self.”

He crouched but never took a strike at the water.

I couldn’t help but snap an up-close photo of the Great Blue Heron’s feet—gnarled, scaly, and prehistoric-looking, they were just as captivating as the bird itself. With long, gripping toes and impressive talon-like nails, those feet are perfectly adapted for wading through wetlands and gripping slippery prey. They looked like something out of a dinosaur exhibit—ancient and totally awesome.

I laughed to myself, clicking away on my camera, completely immersed in the presence of this regal creature. Time slowed. It was just me and Hank. A shared, sacred moment between human and bird—one I’ll hold onto for a long while.

I left Hank to his dinner and kept moving down the path. Spotted along the path, the enormous leaves of the Giant Rhubarb—towered over the walkway like living umbrellas. Their prehistoric appearance added a wild, dramatic flair to the landscape, making me feel as though I’d stumbled into a tropical jungle right in the middle of the city. And, tucked beneath the massive leaves of the Giant Rhubarb was this wild-looking flower spike—like something out of a fantasy film.

Did You Know?

The towering flower spikes of the Giant Rhubarb can grow up to 3 feet tall and are made up of hundreds of tiny flowers! Despite their prehistoric look, they rely on small insects for pollination.

 I had no idea this prehistoric-looking plant had such an equally jaw-dropping flower. Nature never stops surprising me.

As I wandered through the park, I stumbled upon a cascade of purple wisteria draping over a trellis like a floral waterfall. The scent stopped me in my tracks—sweet, delicate, and completely intoxicating. I stood there for a moment, breathing it in and letting the fragrance wrap around me like a springtime hug. Nature’s perfume at its finest.

Did You Know? 

Wisteria isn’t just beautiful—it’s one of the most fragrant flowering vines, with blooms that attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Some species of wisteria can live for over 100 years, and their twisting vines are strong enough to bend metal structures over time!

But the adventure wasn’t over.

Word had it that another goose family had been spotted in a different city park, so I followed the pull. And I’m so glad I did. There, at the edge of a quiet inlet, I found aa family of geese with three tiny babies—these ones just days old.

Look at this cute little fluffy ball.

They were heart-meltingly cute, mimicking their parents as they picked through the sand. Dad stood tall, vigilant, while Mom eventually curled into a rest position, the babies climbing under her soft feathers for warmth.

Mom, let me in......

I took that as my cue to quietly pack up and let them enjoy the evening in peace. As I began walking back to the car, I spotted one last gift from the wild—a Great Blue Heron standing at the water’s edge, patiently fishing for its dinner. I paused for a moment, taking it all in. A wave of gratitude washed over me. These moments—quiet, powerful, and fleeting—remind me why I do this. Why I photograph. Why I share.

Because these “everyday” animals are anything but ordinary. They are magical, majestic, resilient, and deserving of respect and protection. If we take the time to notice them, to appreciate their presence in our shared spaces, perhaps we’ll be more inspired to protect the places they call home.

All photos were taken respectfully from a distance using a 600mm lens. Please remember, especially during baby season, it’s vital to give wild animals space. Let’s keep them safe.