Thursday, April 28, 2011

Not the Perfect Choice

Do you see her?
 How about now?
 Dauby has chosen mom's lavender patch to make a nest.  It's a southern exposure and it's up against the barn and it's HOT there!

 Dauby has made herself a nice cozy sweet smelling nest for her eggs. 
The eggs are not fertile.  She doesn't have a husband or a boyfriend!

 She looks hot!   Mom says this was a poor choice for a nest.  She's too far from the pond to make a quick exit if need be. 
 She's finally beginning to feel the heat and she's heading back to the cool water~~
 Look what she left behind.  Tomorrow there will be another one and the next day another one.  Dad takes them away from her because she'll defend her eggs that are duds and we don't want her to lose her life!
 She made it safely to the pond for a cool drink and a nice swim!
 Dauby lays her eggs in the strangest places every single year.  We can't understand why she doesn't build her nest next to the pond where she'd be safe from harm.  Mom does try to reason with her but she's too stubborn and does what she wants.
Do you think she could possible have Airedale blood in her?

This is day 2~
Are you sure both of these eggs came from Dauby, mom?  One is dirty brown and the other one is blue!


So until next time...............

Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch

38 comments:

  1. Where my dad worked they had a big lake and they had a pair of swans - to stop them building in odd places they built a little platform about 3' x 3' right on the edge of the water - they like their nest high and dry. They provide the sticks and twigs for the swans and they add what they want to after that to make the perfect nest. The swans have been breeding and using that nest for 8 years now. The babies go to live at a local zoo as they are too territorial to leave as a family group. Maybe you could build her a little platform in the water too? The other option is to plant some reeds around the pond - they like to be hidden so reeds would help and keep her near the pond

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  2. PS - How was your first day of school Mitch?

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  3. Do you get to eat the eggs?? That's what we would want to do - just scramble them up and chow down!

    XOXO
    Lilly, Piper, Carrleigh, Ruairi and The Sweet Babes

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  4. I am glad dad is taking the eggs away so she doesn't get confused. Maybe she figures if she lays them there that you two will guard them while she is off getting a drink.

    Slobbers,
    Mango

    P.S. How was school?

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  5. According to all accounts their are so many tsunamis out in the world! So dauby is looking for a safe place for her chicks! I can understand her.
    love, Enya

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  6. Listen after living with two dales it rubs off ( the terrier stubborn part) What we want to know is why Mitch has to go to school? He knows how to help with barns and eat apples and stuff what else is there? love A+A

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  7. Dauby is just wonderful!!! My momma is so jealous !

    PeeS...I don't think I would let her hear you calls her eggs 'duds ' Heehee

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  9. Very cool....hey, Mitch how did you like school?

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  10. Dauby is so fun to watch! I bet you guys really enjoy her!! Lots of love, Holly and mom

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  11. That is mighty interesting! What is that swan thinking? She loves lavendar for sure and that lovely warm sun. Dad must be a quick worker to remove those eggs when she takes a drink and a paddle!!

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  12. Those sure are some colorful eggs!

    Kari
    http://dogisgodinreverse.com

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  13. That is pretty cool. Maybe next year she will build a nest near the pond.

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  14. Oh, how EXCITING!!! I mean, sure, Dauby could have picked a better place to lay her eggs, but ... well ... maybe she figures your mom will help guard them!
    Play bows,
    Zim
    PS: I wonder if the babies will be lavender colored? Ha roo roo roo!

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  15. We love your pet goose. She sure is purrrty. Does she spit?
    Benny & Lily

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  16. I am impressed by Dauby ... and I'm very sorry. It has its logic, we must understand them.
    Fine that you pay attention to them both.
    Lots of love
    Mischka

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  17. That is so cool though. Dauby at least gets to lay an egg and make a nest...such a natural thing to do! Love the pics.
    Smooches,
    BabyRD & Hootie

    ps-It's SNOWing here right now!!

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  18. Dauby has no husband or boyfriend??? Oh...Lacie begins to hum

    MATCHMAKER,MATCHMAKER MAKE ME A MATCH!!

    For just a small fee made payable to the

    Miss Lacie Teacakes Mani/Pedi Fund

    I will find a pawfect companion for her.

    Kisses,

    Lacie

    "Scruffy...get off you butt...you're goin' to Connecticut. I don't care...and figure out how to swim."

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  19. Our ducks used to make nests in the worst places. We gave them an old dog house and that helped a little.

    How was school?
    Morgan, Tsar and the Porties

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  20. Dauby is beautiful. It's funny she lays eggs away from the water. But then again maybe it's instinct to prevent water predators access to her eggs. Don't know just a thought

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  21. Dauby may have chosen this year's nest location for lots of wrong reasons, but we bet she enjoys the lovely scent of lavender. And ... here, anyway ... some of the wildlife stay away from its strong scent. So maybe the eggs would be safer? Who knows? Maybe Dauby does.

    What we do know is this. Every single year the mated pair of geese pair that nests right by "our" pond lose their babies to coyotes. Every single year. We think they might do better following Dauby's example and switching up where they nest from year to year.

    Just our thoughts,
    Jake and Fergi

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  22. Maybe Daubie needs a husband to tell her where best to build her nest.I guess she thinks having them against the shed would be more protected.

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  23. Aww, it's kind of sad that she waits for her eggs to hatch & there are no babies. I'm glad you all watch out for her.

    Nubbin wiggles,
    Oskar

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  24. thats nice of her to leave you eggs!! bol I think I would want o scramble it and eat em!!

    wags
    Jazzi

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  25. Here we thought we were going to find out how you did at school, Mitch - instead we get to meet sweet Dauby. We think she needs a husband:)

    Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara

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  26. Oh we feel sorry for Dauby with her "dud" eggs, poor girl:-) But we're glad you're taking care of her!

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  27. Dauby is so cool! We are so glad she found her way to the pond.

    Love,
    Teddy Bear & Sierra

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  28. Maggie and Mitch
    I feel bad fow Dauby
    She must be so disappointed to always lay hew pwetty eggses and nevew see any baby swans. I'm glad she went back safely to the watew. I do think ouw tewwiewsnes tends to wub off on those awwound us, hehehe
    smoochie kisses
    ASTA

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  29. your goose is silly,, that is what I say!
    love
    tweedles

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  30. Forgive my ignorance kids, but I ddin't know that there are things like dud eggs! I just don't understand how eggs are laid even without a hubby/boyfriend!

    I'm a city person who has very understanding about animals and nature so I'll demand my husband tell me something tonight. :P

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  31. Oh, poor dauby! i bet she would have beautiful baby swans!
    airedales.... stubborn? surely your mom is confused! :)
    Love,
    Janie

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  32. Hi, Maggie and Mitch -

    Dauby is brave to lay her eggs in the lavender patch.

    We are glad that she made it safely back to the pond to cool off.

    Love -

    Hershey and Kaci

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