Celebrities

Referring to things (Plants, animals and habitats) that are FAMOUS in the park. Check here for interesting info on all.

It may be fitting that the first post on this page belongs to an actual celebrity (if objects can be that) – the GOODYEAR blimp! But, just to keep us on the right path – these posts will be mostly about the nature that one encounters in Golden Gardens Park. This one represents what I think must be a really good way to observe nature. Blimps are fairly noiseless – and as such, represent an easy way to ‘see’ nature from above. Though this was taken on September 5, 2025 – the blimp preparing to fly over a Ducks game. The better time to fly over Golden Gardens is coming up soon!

Cackling geese migrate through the Willamette Valley in large numbers through from October to April. Mostly, they’re mistaken for Canada geese. But, they are smaller than their large cousins. Once considered a subspecies of the Canada goose, they are now recognized as their own species (Branta hutchinsii). Listen carefully and you can hear the difference in their calls. 

In Golden Gardens Park, you can often see them by the hundreds, foraging on the fields surrounding the park and in the ponds, too. Their heads are smaller and necks shorter than their large cousin. Those features – and that they are seasonal and found in large numbers may help you develop the eyes to tell them apart from Canada geese. See here for more information and to tune your ears to their calls: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Cackling_Goose/overview