Greylag goose gosling at Pildammsparken in Malmö, nestled among the damp petals of a lawn scattered with daisies. It lay there calmly, a gentle puffball of fresh spring life. It seemed as if the world was built only of light, grass, and the soft sounds of city park birdsong. I knelt nearby, careful not to startle it. Time seemed to slow to the rhythm of its blinking eyes and steady breath.
There’s something about Greylag goose goslings — their fuzzy clumsiness, their utter trust in the ground beneath them. Unlike the drama of flighty birds, this was a portrait of peace.
Species Spotlight: Greylag Goose (Anser anser)
The greylag goose is Europe’s largest and most widespread wild goose. It’s a familiar sight around lakes and city parks from the British Isles to Central Asia. They’re the ancestors of most domestic geese. However, in spring, their wild hearts return with nesting instinct. The goslings are precocial — meaning they hatch fully feathered and walking. They grow fast under the watchful eye of protective, honking parents.
You’ll see the Greylag goose gosling’s grazing in flocks, little fluffballs trailing behind, heads bobbing in rhythm with the grass.
The Photographer’s View
📍 Pildammsparken, Malmö, Sweden
📷 Sony A7R V + Sony FE 200–600mm G OSS
⚙️ 1/800 sec • f/6.3 • ISO 1600
I spotted this gosling as it paused in a patch of daisies. This gave me a rare chance to photograph it calmly at eye level. I lay down in the grass, relying on natural light and a quiet approach. Using the long lens helped me stay respectful of space. It allowed me to catch the intimate stillness of the moment.
The Greylag Goose Call to the Flock
Have you ever shared a moment of silence with a wild animal? I’d love to hear where and what it was — or tag someone who’d want to cuddle this little fluffball (gently, of course). 🪿💚
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