Goose creche

Enjoyed a lazy get up rather than our usual regimented start to the day.
Walked into town along the Thames. It is still very high and fast flowing and you can see where it has lapped over the banks and onto the footpaths. Lots of grebes on the water and a few cormorants flying over. A large branch had fallen from a willow tree near the junction with the Kennet. The residents of the narrow boats seemed to be putting the wood to good use in their stoves.

On the way back we noticed this goose creche lined up on the bank. One of the female geese had her wing lifted over the little ones to protect them from the rain. As I got my camera out, they were frightened by an approaching dog and all headed for the water. I like the way the adult geese circled the goslings and kept them safe. Geese often have these 'creches' where goslings of different ages are looked after together.