Tweets,

In an otherwise quiet lunch break at the Fill today (though I did see the
cinnamon teal; very nice), I saw some Canada goose behavior I've never seen
before.

I was scanning across the shoveler pond (the sort of central, but southern,
large pond, right?), and a goose flapped into the pond, paddled for a few
seconds, and then DOVE under the water. Completely submerged, no sign of
flapping or anything. I was shocked, and thought maybe something had grabbed
it, but no, it popped up after about five seconds, shook the water off, then
did it again, and after that time, it paddled over to the edge and waddled
off.

I had no idea geese could get entirely under water, and do so without having
to struggle and splash to stay down there. What do you suppose it was up to?
It was certainly nice and warm; I wonder if it was thermoregulating? Or some
sort of cleaning? Anyone seen this before?

Oh, and a nice couple pointed out a pair of darling stripy baby pied-billed
grebes in the southwest pond. Just adorable. I hope the mom or dad isn't the
PBG with the net around the bill. :-(

-Josh Hayes
josh at blarg.net