Red Red Robins, Bob Bob Bobbin', and Goslings!

Things are happening fast now that the raw April rains have come and gone, to be replaced by a deluge of May sunshine.  Trees are leafing out in profusion, insects are emerging, and the birds are already rearing offspring.  In the wetlands around Bateman's, several pairs of Canada Geese have set up residence, and the goslings are in their cutest, fluffiest, downy stage.  Special thanks to James Potter for these fabulous images of our goose neighbors!









Around campus, American Robins have chosen to build nests in some pretty high-profile locations, with one pair even using the play structure behind BP.






In such a high traffic area, it's not unlikely that the birds will abandon their efforts, but another pair, whose female is seen here attending three eggs just outside the Clay Science rotunda, has a better chance of fledging a brood.



On warm days, the eggs can sit for a while, unattended, but she'll incubate them anyway, panting in the heat of the day.