Well it is now something like Day 46 or 47, Mama Goose is still intent on sitting on the eggs. Yesterday, my dogs were going nuts so I went outside to see what the problem was, there was a large (5-6' long) black snake about 3 feet away from mama goose. I am assuming it was a rat snake. But, THIS is not okay. I guess her eggs attracted it? She did not seem to care at all that there was a snake there.
I went inside to grab my pistol to shoot it, when I came back outside it was gone. Could not locate it - not too willing to search for it too much as I am terrified of snakes.
There are at least 4 eggs still there on the top of the nest, along with one large rock (???), and she doesn't appear to have any intentions on getting off.
UGH!