Imagine a mother goose waddling through the South Saskatchewan River in Canada, with 47 fluffy little goslings trailing behind her. It’s a sight that makes you smile and wonder: how does she do it? Taking care of three or four children is tough enough, but this goose has nearly fifty little ones relying on her. If she could take a break, maybe a cozy nest and a peaceful rest by the river would make her day a little brighter.
A Canadian photographer named Mike Digout spotted this special goose family during one of his walks along the river. He had taken up photographing beavers during the lockdown, but soon, he became fascinated by the geese. He noticed this mother goose with more babies than usual—so many that it didn’t seem possible. Normally, Canadian geese lay only a few eggs each season. But there she was, leading a large group of goslings. While geese sometimes form “gang broods” where several families combine their babies, this mother seemed to be managing most of the flock on her own, sometimes with help from her mate.
When Mike first found her, she had just a fraction of the babies she would later have. He couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw her with 16 goslings. “I was amazed,” he shared. “So I started visiting every evening to see her and her growing group. Every time, there seemed to be more goslings with her.”
By May 26, 2020, Mike’s photos showed her caring for 26 little ones. He joked on Facebook, “This momma was watching 26 goslings today in Saskatoon. Must be a very caring goose.” But just a few days later, her group had swelled to 47! It was unusual to see one adult taking care of so many babies, and Mike was curious about how this all worked. He wondered, “Is this a daycare for goslings while the other parents rest, or did she adopt these little ones from other families?” If it was just daytime care, why didn’t the goslings leave her side at night?
Instead, they stayed close, nestling under her wings as the sun set. About 36 of them would cuddle up under her warmth to sleep. It was clear they trusted her and felt safe with her, like she was their true mother.
Mike couldn’t get enough of watching this heartwarming scene. “It was amazing to see,” he said. “I got a bit addicted to going out each evening to look for this mom and her babies.”
He was impressed by her gentle nature. Even with so many little ones around, she stayed calm and kind. She never seemed upset when a gosling wandered off or bumped into another. “She has such patience with all those babies,” Mike said. “She’s a really loving mom.”
Geese are known for being social creatures, and it’s not unheard of for them to adopt other goslings. According to Jamie Harder, who works with Saskatoon’s Meewasin Valley Authority, these “gang broods” can sometimes have over 100 young geese. “They are just such welcoming parents,” Jamie explained. “They take in any goslings nearby.”
This mother goose’s story is one of warmth and care, a little reminder that nature has its own way of showing love. And thanks to Mike Digout, we get to share in the wonder of her big, beautiful family.