I’ve previously described an encounter with two rare Hawaiian geese on Maui a few years ago at this link<\/strong><\/a>. \u00a0This past fall when I visited Kauai with my brother and father, we found at least two\u00a0dozen 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).<\/p>\n

While they remind me of Canada geese, they’re much smaller and the webbing between their feet is incomplete. \u00a0And they are fearless — they’ll walk in front of you whether you’re walking or driving, not sensing any danger. \u00a0It’s this complete fearlessness that nearly killed them off, but they’re doing well now. \u00a0Here’s a few of the nene we saw recently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \t