Kip’s Comments - August 18, 2026

Ornery Goose/Limp Turtle

Yesterday I was notified of a Canada goose at the Duck Pond near the Waverly Utilities. The reporting party suggested the goose had a broken wing. This morning I captured the goose with the help of officers from the Waverly Police Department. As was said in the notification, the goose does appear to have a severely broken wing that does not suggest a long life for this bird. Other than the broken wing, the goose seems to have a very spunky attitude. The goose is now in the care of Terese with Black Hawk Wildlife Rehabilitation Project. My thanks to the fellow who reported the goose and to Terese for her care.

Many thanks to the officers who assisted with this interesting project! Thanks again to the donor of the net and the pet taxi. Both are getting much use this year!

Canada Goose with Broken Wing - Image 1136247

As I was paddling my canoe back to the shore after catching the goose, I spotted a bobber near the south shore of the pond. As I do as much as possible, I grabbed the bobber in hopes of also removing fishing line that might cause problems with wildlife later. While pulling the bobber in I felt resistance which was normal. I thought maybe the line was snagged, but then the weight moved. On the bottom of the line was this dead spiny softshell turtle.

Dead Spiny Softshell Turtle - Image 1136277

You may notice the right eye was missing. We do not know if that happened before death or after death. What we found interesting was how long the neck was on this turtle.

Dead Spiny Softshell Turtle - Image 1136284

By the way - whoever lost the line and hardware had an interesting two-hook set. The turtle was on the bottom hook. I didn’t see the second hook and put that into a finger. I am hoping no infection sets in.

Dead Spiny Softshell Turtle - Image 1136259