"Something" About the Geese

Perhaps they just don't like their pictures taken.

 

The joking thought occurred to me last night when noting I did not have my camera at a time I fully wished I did.

 

When first arriving to Harlem Meer, I immediately noticed some mallards gathered along the South embankment -- something usually not seen unless geese are in the area.

 

And sure enough, several geese were visible resting on the lake not more than 30 or 40 feet from the mallards!

 

Brad and other mallards were in the water near the geese, but quickly made their way to the embankment to demand their nightly treats -- once again with confidence and bravado.

 

Meanwhile, the geese from the water casually ambled their way to the grass and when hopping up, I counted 4 of them. 
One of the geese (probably the lead gander) honked a singular, low greeting to me.

 

At first, I wondered if these were new geese, but their robust looks and self-assured behavior quickly indicated them to be 4 of the 8 resident geese seen two nights ago (or, one of the two families).

 

Once again, the gander took some treats from my hand, but with the same roughness and awkwardness of the previous occasion.

 

I wondered where the other 4 geese were, but could make out their regal and definitive forms further out on the lake.

 

They did not approach, perhaps because last night was unusually noisy at the Meer.

 

Two dogs were running and barking loudly at the other side of the lake and there was an almost constant flurry of police or ambulance sirens sounding from the nearby street side of the Meer.

 

It seems under the circumstances, the other family of geese decided to stay put.  They apparently weren't that hungry -- or at least not hungry enough to risk their safety.

 

But, Brad and the mallards weren't at all deterred by the (to them) familiar sounds and they proceeded to carry on in the usual "crazy ways" that they do when geese are present.

 

As the four geese on grass gathered tightly together to pick seeds off the ground, the mallards formed a loose circle around the geese and waddled around, quacking, constantly chattering and (in the case of females) loudly squawking.

 

It almost appeared that the ducks were attempting to put on some sort of "show" to either impress or at least get the attention of the geese.

 

"Hey, look at us!   Aren't we the coolest?"

 

Even Brad pranced around, pushing some of the mallards out of the way and seeming to announce to all that he was still "King" of the Meer!

 

I wished that I had a video camera capable of night shooting because the scene before me was absolutely comical and hysterical.  At the very least I regretted not having my regular camera with me. I had brought the camera the night before, but the geese apparently elected to disappear then. 

 

Perhaps they just don't like their pictures taken, I jokingly thought.

 

If the Meer was unusually "noisy" last night it was in no small measure due to the loud antics and carrying-on's of the mallards. --  Just another night of raucous and loud duck parties.

 

If one did not personally see geese, one would know they were there, just by the free-flowing and totally uninhibited behavior of the ducks.

 

I remembered back to last year when worrying constantly over poor Joey, the white Pekin duck who lost his two siblings earlier in spring.    Joey remained on the lake for months, seemingly afraid to come up on the embankments.   But, when large numbers of geese arrived late into the summer, Joey finally gathered up the courage to join them and the other ducks on the south embankment at night. 

 

There is just "something about the geese" that seems to inspire confidence, security, courage and in the case of mallards, raucousness, showmanship and a type of rowdy celebration.

 

And yet, for their part, the geese appear to be totally oblivious and nonchalant regarding  their effect upon other birds.

 

Indeed, the four geese last night didn't bother to even look up at the wild antics of their mallard brethren.  They simply took it all in stride and continued casually grazing.

 

However, all four geese immediately came to rapt attention when hearing the honks of the four other geese on the lake.  All four heads popped up and intently listened to the communications on the water going back and forth.

 

At first, I thought it was a communication for all the geese to fly off and leave (as geese usually honk before taking off anywhere.)

 

But, after a short while, one of the geese on land ambled into the water, while the other three then returned to grazing.

 

Apparently the honks were just a communication announcing where everyone was and staying in touch.

 

Meanwhile, after watching and laughing at the crazy duck party for some time, I decided it was time to leave.

 

I got up from the park bench with my dogs and began to make my way past the ducks and geese.  

 

Brad and the mallards popped back into the water, but the three geese neither flinched nor moved. 

 

I thought, when passing them how truly beautiful the geese are.  It might not be their colors per se, as some could easily argue that peacocks, parrots or swans are technically more "beautiful."  But rather, it is just something in the spirit, gentleness, dignity and stately presence of the geese that is beautiful.   Something that distinguishes the Canada geese from seemingly all other birds and inspires confidence, freedom, optimism and even courage in others.

 

As usual, Brad and his mallard pals followed me in to the edge of the lake in their usual parting greeting.  I waved back and told them to be "nice" for the rest of the evening.

 

But, who knows if the mallards indeed settled down to be "nice?"

 

With the geese there, seemingly anything goes with the mallards.  There are no rules or seemingly anything at all to be afraid of or inhibited about.

 

Rather, there is a spirit of freedom, abandon and an "I can do anything" kind of confidence that inspires courage and optimism.

 

Perhaps that is the real beauty and "something" about Canada geese that makes them very special to not just mallards, but some of us humans as well.  

 

"Go ahead, mallards, have your party and enjoy the celebration and freedom for however long the geese are here."   

 

Hopefully, these 8 geese decide to stay for a while.  -- PCA

 

 

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