I’ve previously described an encounter with two rare Hawaiian geese on Maui a few years ago at this link. This past fall when I visited Kauai with my brother and father, we found at least two dozen nene — most on the rocky and wet north shore of the island, but a number of free-loaders hanging out at the koi pond of the Marriott resort hotel (lots of fresh water, shelter, and free food).
While they remind me of Canada geese, they’re much smaller and the webbing between their feet is incomplete. And they are fearless — they’ll walk in front of you whether you’re walking or driving, not sensing any danger. It’s this complete fearlessness that nearly killed them off, but they’re doing well now. Here’s a few of the nene we saw recently.
