Let them eat cake!

After I had a very lazy and leisurely start to the day which involved a book in bed, we decided to venture out for the afternoon. Less than five minutes walk from home, we have a major city park of over 100 acres. It contains a fishing pool, bowling green and both hard and grass tennis courts. There is also a play area. It is also the location for an annual bonfire carnival. Surprisingly therefore, it's not a place we visit often, an overlooked jewel in the locality.

Before leaving, I'd suggested visiting the local shop to buy bread for the ducks but was reminded that we had the remains of a banana loaf, so we set off with the cake tucked in our carrier bag.

We spent a good while sat on the banks of the fishing pool watching the geese go about their daily business: preening, waddling and pecking as they investigated their surroundings. They seemed to enjoy the remaining banana cake which Graham broke up and threw to them (and at them) as I aimed to capture something of their behaviour. I was surprised by the way they seemed to co-operate with each other, how they seemed to follow an unregisted leader telling them when to preen, when to feed, when to enter and exit the water. Furthermore, as they crossed the pool they did so in perfect single file - quite remarkable.

A thoroughly enjoyable afternoon and a promise to self to visit the park more often!