A Gaggle of Geese crosses the road
I was driving to work early Friday morning and as I made my way through the curve that makes the transition from
A gaggle of geese . . . Mom and her 8 goslings huddled together in the lane in front of me of a 5 lane road. The traffic at this time of morning was building and there were vehicles filling the road giving the gaggle no real escape . . . Mom had stopped several times to allow cars or trucks to go by as each swerved after seeing them at the last minute avoiding collision.
Where was dad? He had gone ahead seemingly to clear the way and was standing on the far edge of the highway helpless to the impending disaster.
Meanwhile Mom was making several attempts to move everyone across cautiously stopping as vehicles came up moving around them. A few vehicles stopped on my side of the road so as to clear a path back to safety but Mom and her gaggle continued across into the oncoming traffic determined to reach the other side where her mate was waiting.
During the crossing of the first two lanes Mom stood her ground to the 3,000 pound iron beasts bearing down upon her family. Never flinching she huddled the wings around the young ones and moved them this way and that until for another brief moment they were safe. Once one obstacle was overcome and that vehicle had stopped she quickly moved the gaggle another few yards until the next beast was upon them. Again with the tenacity only a mother could have she stood her ground when all around her was chaos.
As more vehicles rushed out of town on their morning commute completely oblivious to what was just up ahead . . . the daily tasks of driving, putting on make-up, talking on their cell phone or listening to music blaring on the radio or CD did not give anyone any indication that this life or death situation lay just ahead. This mini group was now across three lanes with two more to go.
The gander leaving the safety of the emergency lane ran back towards the middle of the road and his family. At least ten vehicles were heading at the group as the twenty or so of us were stopped watching the outcome of this little crossing. In Alaska and many other places there are signs all over stating that there are moose crossings, caribou & bear crossings and even the occasional musk ox crossing but on this morning there was no ‘geese crossing’ anywhere to be found. They probably could not read it anyway.
Disaster was heading to them all as Mom started herding her young ones to the far side of the highway and the safety of the wetlands just beyond the road’s edge. Dad stood up high . . . wings outstretched . . . a traffic cop goose guiding his family to safety. The vehicles that were racing towards everyone were coming to a stop as the Mom stops . . . allowing the young ones to continue to cross and quickly makes a 360 degree turn and then seems to “bow” bobbing her head towards the vehicles going in each direction and then quickly turned and ran to catch up with everyone.
Disaster averted . . . family safe (for now) the wetlands were a sanctuary until the young ones learn to fly.
When I lived in
Have you ever noticed their relationship? The male will stand guard while the wife eats, he will guard a nest with fierce "hissing" noises with wings spread telling you, you better back off and they are never too far away from each other . . . ever!
I just thought how sweet it was that these birds take such wonderful care of each other. They do all this willingly. I never have seen a male goose not do all of the things listed above. Not that they could speak and protest their situations. But, it made me think about my "mate for life", my eternal companion. I am not always so nice. I like my space . . . or my computer which really comes off the wrong way at times.
Can I learn a little something from these Canadian Geese? I don’t know but it was inspiring to see such dedication and determination in these creatures. Maybe we all can learn something and the world will be a better place.
Our condolences to Tim Russert’s family and our Country’s loss of a man with uncanny observations about our political process and his helping everyone understand the complexities of what happens during campaigns. He will be greatly missed and our loss in these next few months leading up to our elections.
A mixed bag of emotions for me this father’s day as our family prepares for my daughter to be medivaced to
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