Goose Cakes - Revision history

Rowan: /* The Virtues of Geese; On Goose/Human Relations */

2020-07-15T18:55:20Z

The Virtues of Geese; On Goose/Human Relations

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:55, 15 July 2020
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	==The Virtues of Geese; On Goose/Human Relations==		==The Virtues of Geese; On Goose/Human Relations==

	<p>[http://artsites.ucsc.edu/faculty/gustafson/FILM%20161.F08/readings/berger.animals%202.pdf We look at animals,] and in the silence between us we insert ourselves, or rather the ways they are more or less like us. I could say: geese are more blundering, less wise, show more aggression, less tranquility. This framework presents itself in the first place because humans are aggressive too! We’re loud, we lash out. We socialize in groups, we marry for life (or rather, idealize the concept). Given that geese pair up in their second year, perhaps they are more fidelitous. Geese display perseverance, and sincerity. Prudence? Temperance? Dignity? Not so much. Charisma? Hard to say. Are they introspective? They certainly don’t seem to overthink.		<p>[http://artsites.ucsc.edu/faculty/gustafson/FILM%20161.F08/readings/berger.animals%202.pdf We look at animals,] and in the silence between us we insert ourselves, or rather the ways they are more or less like us. I could say: geese are more blundering, less wise, show more aggression, less tranquility. This framework presents itself in the first place because humans are aggressive too! We’re loud, we lash out. We socialize in groups, we marry for life (or rather, idealize the concept). Given that geese pair up in their second year, perhaps they are more fidelitous. Geese display perseverance, resilience, and sincerity. Prudence? Temperance? Dignity? Not so much. Charisma? Hard to say. Are they introspective? They certainly don’t seem to overthink.

	<p>This impenetrability leaves ample room for projection. The geese become whatever we need from them: specifically, a reason to risk a walk through the green pathways of High Park during a pandemic, to return to one of the only spaces I’ve found in this city where you can forget where you are. I’m looking for geese, and when I find them, they are not in any of the park's secluded areas. They are in a group of 20-25, directly beside an occupied picnic table, claiming the terrain between a main walking path and the water of Grenadier Pond. Did you know, on the Canadian Goose wikipedia page, there is a whole section reserved for [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada_goose/ "Relationship with humans?"]		<p>This impenetrability leaves ample room for projection. The geese become whatever we need from them: specifically, a reason to risk a walk through the green pathways of High Park during a pandemic, to return to one of the only spaces I’ve found in this city where you can forget where you are. I’m looking for geese, and when I find them, they are not in any of the park's secluded areas. They are in a group of 20-25, directly beside an occupied picnic table, claiming the terrain between a main walking path and the water of Grenadier Pond. Did you know, on the Canadian Goose wikipedia page, there is a whole section reserved for [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada_goose/ "Relationship with humans?"]

Rowan: /* Isolating with Geese in Regina, SK */

2020-07-15T18:46:58Z

Isolating with Geese in Regina, SK

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	<p>For whatever reason, though, the geese didn’t like the cupcake at all. I suspect the blended grass turned them away, as it looked suspiciously like goose feces. I also believe the sweet scent of the vegan suet was too unfamiliar. In the end, they completely ignored the goose cupcakes that I spent an afternoon making in favor of the plentiful grass that surrounded them. The only part of the cupcake they ate were the carrots and pumpkin seed on top. So, while my ego had taken a blow by their refusal of my gift, I learned that some fresh foods in bite sized portions are likely to be eaten with more enthusiasm.		<p>For whatever reason, though, the geese didn’t like the cupcake at all. I suspect the blended grass turned them away, as it looked suspiciously like goose feces. I also believe the sweet scent of the vegan suet was too unfamiliar. In the end, they completely ignored the goose cupcakes that I spent an afternoon making in favor of the plentiful grass that surrounded them. The only part of the cupcake they ate were the carrots and pumpkin seed on top. So, while my ego had taken a blow by their refusal of my gift, I learned that some fresh foods in bite sized portions are likely to be eaten with more enthusiasm.

	[[File:Goose_Feeding.jpg\|~~300px~~\|right\|thumb\|Attempting to feed Goose Cupcakes to geese in Regina, SK ]]		[[File:Goose_Feeding.jpg\|400px\|right\|thumb\|Attempting to feed Goose Cupcakes to geese in Regina, SK ]]

	<p>I returned with a friend a week later with a bag full of fresh carrots and bird seed. The seed attracted several geese in the area to us (around two dozen), while the chopped carrot landed with moderate success. The geese's enthusiasm over the seed created a bit of a commotion, as certain dominant geese began to charge at others that were feeding. The dominant geese would lower their necks, run swiftly at another goose with their wings partly outstretched, and hiss aggressively. They'd bite at the white feathers at the base of the neck, pinching and pulling the skin. Blood was never drawn, but the aggression was always enough to stave off the less dominant geese. This social reaction to feeding concerned my friend and I, who protected the others from the aggressor to ensure that the all geese had an opportunity to feed. We never witnessed this sort of hoarding behavior over the grass that all geese had access to - it was only upon introducing excess, highly desirable seed that certain geese asserted dominance.		<p>I returned with a friend a week later with a bag full of fresh carrots and bird seed. The seed attracted several geese in the area to us (around two dozen), while the chopped carrot landed with moderate success. The geese's enthusiasm over the seed created a bit of a commotion, as certain dominant geese began to charge at others that were feeding. The dominant geese would lower their necks, run swiftly at another goose with their wings partly outstretched, and hiss aggressively. They'd bite at the white feathers at the base of the neck, pinching and pulling the skin. Blood was never drawn, but the aggression was always enough to stave off the less dominant geese. This social reaction to feeding concerned my friend and I, who protected the others from the aggressor to ensure that the all geese had an opportunity to feed. We never witnessed this sort of hoarding behavior over the grass that all geese had access to - it was only upon introducing excess, highly desirable seed that certain geese asserted dominance.

Rowan: /* Recipes */

2020-07-15T18:46:14Z

Recipes

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:46, 15 July 2020
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	==Recipes==		==Recipes==

			===Goose Cupcake with Vegan Suet, Grass Icing and Assorted Fruits and Vegetables (Test Cupcake 1)===
	[[File:cupcake.jpg\|300px\|right\|thumb\|Vegan Suet Goose Cupcake]]		[[File:cupcake.jpg\|300px\|right\|thumb\|Vegan Suet Goose Cupcake]]

	~~===Goose Cupcake with Vegan Suet, Grass Icing and Assorted Fruits and Vegetables (Test Cupcake 1)===~~
	Success: <b>2/10</b>		Success: <b>2/10</b>

Rowan: /* Goose Food List */

2020-07-15T18:41:59Z

Goose Food List

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:41, 15 July 2020
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	==Goose Food List==		==Goose Food List==
	<br>		<span style="font-variant:small-caps;">'''Based on trial and error, and research done by Simon Fuh and Rowan Lynch'''</span>
	{\| border=2 style="text-align:center; width: 800px; height:400px;"		{\| border=2 style="text-align:center; width: 800px; height:400px;"
	\| <b>Food</b> (<span style="background:Chartreuse">Healthy</span>, <span style="background:LightCoral">Unhealthy</span>, <span style="background:yellow">Unsure</span>) \|\| <b>Notes</b>		\| <b>Food</b> (<span style="background:Chartreuse">Healthy</span>, <span style="background:LightCoral">Unhealthy</span>, <span style="background:yellow">Unsure</span>) \|\| <b>Notes</b>
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	\|-		\|-
	\|}		\|}

	~~<span style="font-variant:small-caps;">'''Based on trial and error, and research done by Simon Fuh and Rowan Lynch'''</span>~~

	==Recipes==		==Recipes==

Rowan: /* Goose Food List */

2020-07-15T18:40:48Z

Goose Food List

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:40, 15 July 2020
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	==Goose Food List==		==Goose Food List==
			<br>
	{\| border=2 style="text-align:center; width: 800px; height:400px;"		{\| border=2 style="text-align:center; width: 800px; height:400px;"
	\| <b>Food</b> (<span style="background:Chartreuse">Healthy</span>, <span style="background:LightCoral">Unhealthy</span>, <span style="background:yellow">Unsure</span>) \|\| <b>Notes</b>		\| <b>Food</b> (<span style="background:Chartreuse">Healthy</span>, <span style="background:LightCoral">Unhealthy</span>, <span style="background:yellow">Unsure</span>) \|\| <b>Notes</b>

Rowan: /* Goose Food List */

2020-07-15T18:40:34Z

Goose Food List

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:40, 15 July 2020
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	==Goose Food List==		==Goose Food List==
	~~Based on trial and error, and research done by Simon Fuh and Rowan Lynch.~~

	{\| border=2 style="text-align:center; width: 800px; height:400px;"		{\| border=2 style="text-align:center; width: 800px; height:400px;"
	\| <b>Food</b> (<span style="background:Chartreuse">Healthy</span>, <span style="background:LightCoral">Unhealthy</span>, <span style="background:yellow">Unsure</span>) \|\| <b>Notes</b>		\| <b>Food</b> (<span style="background:Chartreuse">Healthy</span>, <span style="background:LightCoral">Unhealthy</span>, <span style="background:yellow">Unsure</span>) \|\| <b>Notes</b>
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	\|-		\|-
	\|}		\|}

			<span style="font-variant:small-caps;">'''Based on trial and error, and research done by Simon Fuh and Rowan Lynch'''</span>

	==Recipes==		==Recipes==

Rowan: /* Isolating with Geese in Regina, SK */

2020-07-15T18:40:10Z

Isolating with Geese in Regina, SK

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:40, 15 July 2020
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	<p>For the most part, though, this second feeding was peaceful. We gained their trust, and fed them out of our hands. I think this moment caused me to revisit my romantic view of the geese, who, before this, I had been peering at from the distant shoreline. Spending time with them deepened their character to me: they are flawed yet resilient animals. I think Rowan described them well when we visited Grenadier Pond: "Swans are like the aspirational version of love. Geese are like the reality of love." It's not that geese are less loving than other animals (swans too, I'm sure, have their moments of disagreement), it's that they wear their needs on their sleeves, and communicate directly. But at the end of the season, they always gather together as a flock and fly confidently as a group to their next location.		<p>For the most part, though, this second feeding was peaceful. We gained their trust, and fed them out of our hands. I think this moment caused me to revisit my romantic view of the geese, who, before this, I had been peering at from the distant shoreline. Spending time with them deepened their character to me: they are flawed yet resilient animals. I think Rowan described them well when we visited Grenadier Pond: "Swans are like the aspirational version of love. Geese are like the reality of love." It's not that geese are less loving than other animals (swans too, I'm sure, have their moments of disagreement), it's that they wear their needs on their sleeves, and communicate directly. But at the end of the season, they always gather together as a flock and fly confidently as a group to their next location.

	~~<br />~~
	<br />		<br />
	<span style="font-variant:small-caps;">'''Written by Simon Fuh'''</span>		<span style="font-variant:small-caps;">'''Written by Simon Fuh'''</span>

Rowan: /* Grenadier Pond, High Park */

2020-07-15T18:39:38Z

Grenadier Pond, High Park

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:39, 15 July 2020
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	<li>We noted that while the geese were enthusiastic about food when it was thrown on the ground for them, they were scared of the container holding the corn when we attempted placing it on the grass (to see if they would feed themselves)		<li>We noted that while the geese were enthusiastic about food when it was thrown on the ground for them, they were scared of the container holding the corn when we attempted placing it on the grass (to see if they would feed themselves)
	<li>After a short period several geese from across the pond swam across to join		<li>After a short period several geese from across the pond swam across to join
			<li>There appears to be a community of 40-50 geese living in the park/pond
	<li>Two large white swans were also nearby and partook in eating corn		<li>Two large white swans were also nearby and partook in eating corn
	<li>The "pecking order" amongst the local birds seemed to be Swans > Geese > Ducks		<li>The "pecking order" amongst the local birds seemed to be Swans > Geese > Ducks

Rowan: /* Grenadier Pond, High Park */

2020-07-15T18:38:52Z

Grenadier Pond, High Park

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:38, 15 July 2020
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	<p><b>Observations:</b>		<p><b>Observations:</b>
	<ul>		<ul>
	<li>Simon and Sameen were both bit by the geese who were too enthusiastic for them to drop the food they were holding, and although finding it a bit shocking, they report that it ~~does~~ not hurt ~~much~~		<li>Simon and Sameen were both bit by the geese who were too enthusiastic for them to drop the food they were holding, and although finding it a bit shocking, they report that it did not really hurt
	<li>We tried to guess which geese were paired up, but it was hard to tell - they seemed to aggress one another equally		<li>We tried to guess which geese were paired up, but it was hard to tell - they seemed to aggress one another equally
	<li>We noted that while the geese were enthusiastic about food when it was thrown on the ground for them, they were scared of the container holding the corn when we attempted placing it on the grass (to see if they would feed themselves)		<li>We noted that while the geese were enthusiastic about food when it was thrown on the ground for them, they were scared of the container holding the corn when we attempted placing it on the grass (to see if they would feed themselves)

Rowan: /* Experience with Geese in Toronto, ON */

2020-07-15T18:38:34Z

Experience with Geese in Toronto, ON

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:38, 15 July 2020
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	===Grenadier Pond, High Park===		===Grenadier Pond, High Park===
	[[File:aggression.jpg\|400px\|right\|thumb\|Goose at High Park, Toronto, aggressing a duck]]		[[File:aggression.jpg\|400px\|right\|thumb\|Goose at High Park, Toronto, aggressing a duck]]
	<p>Grenadier Pond is a body of water located on the Western edge of Toronto's High Park, named in relation to the Fork York garrison.		<p>Grenadier Pond is a body of water located on the Western edge of Toronto's High Park, named in relation to the Fork York garrison. After Simon's return to Toronto, a search for geese in Toronto led us here.

	<p>On June 27, 2020, Simon Fuh, Rowan Lynch, and Sameen Mahboubi went to feed the geese living there. Simon brought fresh uncooked corn cut from the cob, and salted, shelled sunflower seeds~~, and~~ Rowan and Sameen brought an assortment of greens including carrot tops, kale, mustard greens, and lettuce.		<p>On June 27, 2020, Simon Fuh, Rowan Lynch, and Sameen Mahboubi went to feed the geese living there. Simon brought fresh uncooked corn cut from the cob, and salted, shelled sunflower seeds. Rowan and Sameen brought an assortment of greens including carrot tops, kale, mustard greens, and lettuce.

	<p><b>Observations:</b>		<p><b>Observations:</b>
	<ul>		<ul>
			<li>Simon and Sameen were both bit by the geese who were too enthusiastic for them to drop the food they were holding, and although finding it a bit shocking, they report that it does not hurt much
	<li>We tried to guess which geese were paired up, but it was hard to tell - they seemed to aggress one another equally		<li>We tried to guess which geese were paired up, but it was hard to tell - they seemed to aggress one another equally
	<li>We noted that while the geese were enthusiastic about food when it was thrown on the ground for them, they were scared of the container holding the corn when we attempted placing it on the grass (to see if they would feed themselves)		<li>We noted that while the geese were enthusiastic about food when it was thrown on the ground for them, they were scared of the container holding the corn when we attempted placing it on the grass (to see if they would feed themselves)