Althouse: I'm rooting for the coots — coot-rooting — and tittle-tattling on the Canada geese.

March 28, 2022

I'm rooting for the coots — coot-rooting — and tittle-tattling on the Canada geese.

On Lake Mendota just now:

Watching the video, I don't agree with my real-time judgment that the geese were harassing the coots. The coots continue their gentle pattern of paddling about together. It seems to be goose-on-goose action. The honking becomes an almost mammalian growling and grunting at 0:42. And at 0:55 to 0:58, you see hot pursuit and biting. A male chasing off another male, I'm guessing. You wouldn't treat the lady-goose like that would you? Biting her ass? I'm thinking it's not true that what's good for the goose is good for the gander.

27 comments:

rehajm said...: I love a cover of coots. We used to drive along the Columbia River ad see groups of 500 or more. Something special about them.

The Canada Goose is a shame on its namesake. 'Tastes like steak' is the best compliment I can give them...; 3/28/22, 7:44 AM
Temujin said...: Ganders will be ganders.; 3/28/22, 7:53 AM
iowan2 said...: The honking becomes an almost mammalian growling and grunting

A retired Law Prof? Better stay in your lane, and let a biologist make that distinction.

(I couldn't help myself, this in more fun that Brandon); 3/28/22, 8:01 AM
MadisonMan said...: Geese are big winged rats that crap everywhere. I will always root against Canada Geese.; 3/28/22, 8:07 AM
Dave Begley said...: Let me tell you about Canadian geese. They are a nuisance and need to be killed.

About 10 years ago I read a story in the WSJ about how Canadian geese were pooping all over the lawns of rich people in Seattle; including Bill and Melinda Gates. It was a real problem but they did nothing because of the law; limited hunting season and no shooting of guns in residential areas.

And then there was an infamous story in NPR. I think it was after the Sully Sullenberger landing on the Hudson. The gist of the story was that it was human's fault that the birds were striking jets because the birds were there first. State of nature and all that. Ergo, birds are more valuable than humans in the minds of liberals.

I was at a law seminar in Omaha. The office park had a lake, but there was bird poop all over the trail around the lake. This goes on all over the country.

This is the sign of a failed culture. If we can't kill and get rid of birds that are a danger to us and make a giant mess, then we are losers.

When my buddy wins his race for the Nebraska Unicameral, this will change. I've got to think the Omaha Airport Authority would back this bill as the airport is right next to the Missouri River and Carter Lake.; 3/28/22, 8:07 AM
Curious George said...: "Canada geese are kinda jerks"

Go play 18 at Odana Hills this summer. The fucking geese act lake they own the place.; 3/28/22, 8:08 AM
Dave Begley said...: Curious George:

I forgot about golf courses. And, yes, they do own the place because we -as a society - are too weak to get rid of them. The Disneyfication of America.; 3/28/22, 8:17 AM
Beasts of England said...: I have coots and Canada geese on the lake out back and often observe their behavior. What you captured was a third goose trying to horn in on a monogamous pair during mating season. The odd goose was rebuffed. Just like at The Oscars!!; 3/28/22, 8:20 AM
madAsHell said...: Isn't it that time of year where the goose is looking for a little gander?

The shows of goose vitality will continue through the spring.; 3/28/22, 8:28 AM
Quaestor said...: Those are young coots, Althouse. Wait until they've got some age on 'em... yelling at you for no reason, blocking the grocery aisle while trying to select the best flavor of instant oatmeal, bringing their squalling infant great-grandchildren to your favorite restaurant. You'll prefer the geese, then I bet.; 3/28/22, 8:40 AM
wendybar said...: Why are we not hunting Canadian geese for food. Do they not taste good??; 3/28/22, 8:44 AM
Narayanan said...: will not allowing hunting prevent food shortage; 3/28/22, 8:46 AM
gilbar said...: Dave Begley said...
the Omaha Airport Authority would back this bill as the airport is right next to the Missouri River and Carter Lake.

Ahh Carter Lake; the part of Iowa that was So Sleazy, we had to deport it to Nebraska; 3/28/22, 9:02 AM
Iman said...: Ganders garner… a lot.; 3/28/22, 9:04 AM
ronetc said...: Since coots do not have webbed feet, is it appropriate to say they "paddled"? Birding books tend to say, "Although it swims like a duck, the American Coot does not have webbed feet like a duck. Instead, each one of the coot’s long toes has broad lobes of skin that help it kick through the water"(Cornell Lab, All About Birds).; 3/28/22, 9:06 AM
rehajm said...: I have one feel good goose story: Fish & Wildlife tags and numbers a bunch of Canada Geese every year for study of the population, migration, etc. One of the accomplishments for a goose hunter is to shoot two or more tagged geese with sequentially numbered tags. My aunt is an excellent wing shooter. She has a silver plated necklace made from five sequential tags...; 3/28/22, 9:12 AM
gilbar said...: Canadian Geese have really Bad attitudes; because it seems like they should be delicious
(like duck), but instead they taste like ASS (well, that's really not fare:to ASS)
If you were a big bird, that no one ever wanted to take home and cook; you'd have an attitude too; 3/28/22, 9:17 AM
Owen said...: David Begley: what you said. On the nearby cove a neighbor has been driven almost to distraction by the geese feces adorning her lawn. No genteel stroll of the seaward sward for her: not without Wellie boots. She's tried fake coyotes, spinning whirligigs, tinsel, plastic owls, even (IIRC) a clown suit. They are unperturbed and very, very productive.

A scoped .22 and a few hours' work would change that. Geese are plenty smart about the important things, like not becoming dinner.; 3/28/22, 9:33 AM
Lurker21 said...: Go away and let the coots mate.

Don't be a coot blocker.

*

Why are we not hunting Canadian geese for food. Do they not taste good??

We gave it up when the Canadians stopped hunting and eating bald eagles.

Also, we have to call them "Canada geese" now.

NAFTA and all that.; 3/28/22, 9:44 AM
gilbar said...: recipe for Canadian Goose
cut the breasts up into cubes
marinade overnight
coat with breadcrumbs
saute
Throw into dog dish

Of course, the problem with this recipe is; it's cruel to your dogs; 3/28/22, 10:02 AM
MikeD said...: "Most geese are monogamous and mate for life. Geese pair bond when they are two or three years old and stay with their mate for the rest of their lives, building a nest and raising offspring each year during breeding season. If one of the pair dies, the other will go through a period of mourning and often refuses to take another mate."
Humans should be so steadfast. BTW, they are a migratory animal and building "things" along the route isn't their fault. Also,Frankie Layne "Wild Goose".; 3/28/22, 10:02 AM
Rusty said...: " Biting her ass?"
You gotta pay more for that.
wendybar said...
"Why are we not hunting Canadian geese for food. Do they not taste good??"
I'm doing my part. Here in the peoples republic of Illinois we have an early goose season in September. Five geese a day for a week or so and then during regular duck season it's two a day and sometimes they extend the season just for geese. And yes they are tasty. Very.
"Go away and let the coots mate."
Also called mud hens. I don't think there is a bag limit during duck season. The breast is the best part. Marinate in whole milk for a couple of days and then cook. Good in a stir fry with soy sauce.; 3/28/22, 10:32 AM
madAsHell said...: Rusty is also promoting his new cookbook called "The TLC* Cookbook".

TLC* -- Tastes Like Chicken.; 3/28/22, 11:32 AM
gilbar said...: Rusty? do you bag Canadians? or Snow geese?; 3/28/22, 12:14 PM
Wince said...: Althouse said...
You wouldn't treat the lady-goose like that would you? Biting her ass? I'm thinking it's not true that what's good for the goose is good for the gander.

A Massachusetts judge was just suspended for "goosing" an employee.

4. Goose: (Slang) A poke, prod, or pinch between or on the buttocks.

Massachusetts top court suspends judge over unwanted contact

The highest court in Massachusetts indefinitely suspended a judge without pay on Wednesday after finding that he groped a court employee during a conference in 2019, then lied about his conduct by saying it was unintentional contact.

Probate and Family Court Judge Paul M. Sushchyk was suspended “for a reasonable time to permit the executive and legislative branches to consider, if they wish, whether he should retain his judicial office," the Supreme Judicial Court said in its ruling, which upheld a decision by the Commission on Judicial Conduct.

https://www.wbur.org/news/2022/03/23/judge-suspended-unwanted-touching; 3/28/22, 12:55 PM
Rusty said...: gilbar said...
"Rusty? do you bag Canadians? or Snow geese?"
Canadas. By the time the snows arrive it's too cold for me.; 3/28/22, 1:58 PM
Beasts of England said...: Canada geese are very good eating. Just don’t chomp down on any #4 shot.

A favorite recipe that will feed four: season the breast inside and out and place in a cast iron Dutch oven. Add two cups of wild rice and a bottle of dry white wine, and then cook uncovered at 300° for about eighty minutes, or until rice is done. It’s that easy. I’d suggest plucking the bird instead of skinning it, as there’s so little fat on them that the skin helps retain moisture. Plus you get some free down…; 3/28/22, 3:57 PM