Batch #024: Set January 18, 2021. 10 eggs were set. At lockdown 7 eggs were developed. Lockdown was February 12, 2021. 6 goslings hatched on February 16, 2021. Goslings were named Snowflake, Wintergreen, Columbine, Yarrow, Daffodil, and Grass of Parnassus.
Batch #025: Set January 29, 2021. 17 eggs were set. At lockdown 13 eggs were developed. Lockdown was February 23, 2021. All 13 goslings hatched from February 28 through March 1, 2021.
Batch #026: Set February 6, 2021. 19 eggs were set. At lockdown 13 eggs were developed. Lockdown was March 3, 2021. 12 goslings hatched from March 9 through March 11, 2021.
Batch #027: Set February 12, 2021. 9 eggs were set. At lockdown 6 eggs were developed. Lockdown was March 10, 2021. 6 goslings hatched from March 13 through 14, 2021 and one hatched March 16, 2021.
Batch #028: Set February 26, 2021. 3 eggs were set. At lockdown 2 eggs are developed.  Lockdown was March 23, 2021. Waiting to see if both hatch and when they do. Goslings should hatch around March 27, 2021.
Batch #029: Set March 12, 2021. 28 eggs were set. Lockdown is April 6, 2021. Goslings should hatch around April 11, 2021.
​Batch #030: Will be setting this batch which will be the largest batch I have ever had on March 26, 2021. Lockdown will be April 20, 2021. Goslings should hatch around April 24, 2021. 

Boxelder Maple was a small gander of the flock and was also the youngest. He was son to Black Cherry and Siberian Elm. He was not part of the same group as his parents and would even fight with them. He took to often fighting with Black Cherry and despite his size proved to be a worthy opponent. He at first could not win against Black Cherry but eventually he was the one who won the fights. He would not readily forgive his attacker and would pursue and even continue holding on to his opponent until he felt that he had done enough to make his opponent think twice about challenging him.

He did not have his way with Eastern Redbud for Redbud had battled many ganders of different sizes, ages, and personalities and had plenty of skill in battle because of this. Boxelder managed to beat off Baldcypress every now and then but had to then face Redbud and he would rather flee than challenge him.

Boxelder had a hard time convincing any of the ladies of the flock to be with him despite his skill in battle because he was small. The females including the smaller ones preferred the bigger ganders.

One day a young goose was released into the flock. She had several defects and had a hard time navigating and understanding the language of the geese. Boxelder loved her when first he saw her and followed her and talked to her. Eventually the young goose came to understand a little bit of the language and could sort of talk to him.

Over time she understood it completely and loved Boxelder. Boxelder due to his ferocity kept the young goose safe from attackers and the white geese began to accept the young goose into the flock. Southern Magnolia and American Snowbell were the most un-willing to accept the goose in the beginning but even they began to get used to her and tolerate her.

The young goose finally told Boxelder that her name was Terebinth. Boxelder saw that her lineage was that of Gingko's. 

Terebinth was very sweet but because of her defects was easily spooked and did not react well to being pecked. She was fully-feathered out but usually did not keep herself as clean as the other geese though when she finally came to love Boxelder she put more effort into making herself presentable.

Boxelder seeing that Terebinth would not eat the grass that sprung up through the leaves upon the ground showed her it and convinced her to try some. She was not thrilled with it but Boxelder persistently showed it to her and tried to get her to eat some. Eventually she came to love it as much as the other geese. She became happier and healthier when she started eating grass. 

Terebinth in her turn showed Boxelder boiled eggs and was persistent as well until he too loved boiled eggs.

Terebinth would eventually even start laying eggs though she did not lay very frequently. She came to love goslings as much as her mother Gingko. Boxelder, however, did not care much for them. 

Boxelder calmed down finally and was less of a troublemaker in the flock though he would still fight if anyone threatened Terebinth. Some of the older ganders came to like Boxelder because he was less annoying and vicious. Redbud would talk to Boxelder and Terebinth and so would Cherry and Cypress. The other young ganders Rowan and Buckeye ignored him still and the rest of the ganders and hung out with the white geese.

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In honor of Terebinth my sweet goose who although she has defects will not give up.