Snow flakes were falling last night and small sheets of ice had formed around the perimeter of the Reservoir.
But, it might as well have been spring as far as I was concerned. The balmy 34 degree temperature -- compared to the previous three nights -- felt like a heat wave.
Nevertheless, the dangling icicles hanging from rocks and twigs, should have been sign to me of other surprises to come.
From the top of the hill overlooking Harlem Meer, I could immediately discern that the lake was unmoving and frozen.
Perhaps due to the abnormal warmth of the winter so far, I had grown complacent in the assumption that the lake would not ice over this year.
The image therefore greatly surprised me -- especially in view of the rising temperature.
Apparently, however, the three previous days of below freezing temperatures is all that was necessary for virtually the entire lake to freeze.
Wondering where the geese and ducks were, I quickly descended the hill and could immediately see a group of ducks and geese standing on and huddled together in the middle of the pale colored ice.
Recognizing me, the group immediately began to head in my direction.
How funny they looked skidding across the ice -- like little human ice skaters!
When they finally arrived, I recognized Buster and his gaggle of six geese and a few of the mallards I am used to seeing. There were four other geese with Buster's group and I guessed them to be part of the secondary family of resident geese.
But, where was the Bradly Brigade?
Looking briefly across the ice, I could not make out any more ducks or geese on it.
Apparently, all of the migratory geese and ducks had left with the freezing over of the lake!
The ice appeared like a pale, empty slate.
A little nervous over not seeing Brad, Piggly and Wiggly with the other birds, but not alarmed, I tossed some seeds and treats to the hungry troupe. Unlike the previous two bitter cold nights, the geese and ducks hopped around to quickly grab treats without squatting down for heat. Buster walked up to me and gently swooped seeds from my hand like everything was honky dory.
After emptying more than half the bag, but still not seeing Brad or his two charges, I became concerned and moved further along the embankment to check out the rest of the frozen lake.
Over towards the northern part of the Meer, I could then see a pool of open water about 20 feet in diameter -- and three ducks vigorously swimming on it!
"Brad! Brad! Is that you?"
Hearing my voice, all three ducks immediately responded by hopping out of the water and quickly skidding across the ice.
No doubt then. -- It was the Bradly Brigade!
Brad had some trouble when trying to climb the embankment and hitting some thin ice. For a moment, I thought I might have to attempt a rescue of the struggling Rouen duck.
But, Brad bravely made it out and as usual was anxious to swoop treats from my hand.
Piggly and Wiggly, standing nearby quickly grabbed what escaped from Brad's beak.
Meanwhile, a goose from the second family had returned to the ice and walked in the direction of the open pool.
Upon finding it and jumping in the water, s/he began to honk loudly presumably as a signal to the birds still on the ground.
"Hey, Buster, there is some open water here! You'd better bring the rest of the guys here so we can work to prevent it from freezing over!"
Buster honked back.
"Not to worry! I know about it. We will be there in time!"
Buster and the rest of the geese and ducks continued eating without a care in the world.
But, Brad would have none of such overindulgence!
Having had his fill of treats, Brad walked to the edge of the lake and started "talking" to his charges.
"Come on, guys, its time to get to work! We cannot afford to pussy around tonight!"
All the ducks and geese immediately stood to attention and chatted among themselves.
Brad then hopped on the ice with Piggly and Wiggly quickly joining him.
And then in groups of two and three, the rest of the ducks and geese followed.
In a slow kind of procession, the geese and ducks tiptoed gingerly on the ice together and headed towards the open pool. One by one, I could see them from a distance plopping in the pool to join the one goose who initially called out.
But, of course, it was Brad who had already known about the open pool of water. -- Indeed, it was probably he who created it!
And its likely that Brad and his two "trainees" had worked diligently all day to prevent the pool from freezing over with the rest of the lake.
Whether Buster and his gaggle (or any of the other geese or ducks) had previously helped the Bradly Brigade, I have no way of knowing.
But, at least they headed over last night to help.
It reminded me of the common scenes from last winter:
Brad, always working hard to keep a small pool of water open with the then help of Angelina and Joey.
When they were in the "mood" some of the mallards and geese would help. But, more often than not, the lazy mallards and geese typically loafed on the ice and watched Brad literally duck and dive his tail off. Their attitude seemed to be, "Let him do all the work. He can't fly. But, if the going gets too tough, we can always take off."
And indeed, most of the geese and ducks had taken off yesterday with the freezing of the lake!
Only the resident birds stayed -- or at least the ones I have been bribing to stay.
There was a total of 12 geese and about 15 mallards last night. -- The same ones that come to me every night for handouts.
"Lazy" or not, I was happy they at least stayed and therefore, did not regret the bribing. Buster and company are after all, better than nothing.
Last night was the first night "my flocks" of ducks and geese did not escort me from the Meer to ask why I was leaving or say goodnight..
But, Brad is the taskmaster. And he had made it clear to everyone that it was time for work and not "pussy footing" around..
A little "hurt" I managed anyway to find my way out of the Meer, sans the usual good night and advice to Brad and the gang.
But, Brad is the last creature on earth who needs advice anyway.
Walking home via route of the Reservoir again, it did not take long to discover where the rest of the geese and ducks from the frozen Harlem Meer had flown.
A huge group of them were gathered and relaxed in the open water of the Reservoir near the water spout. (No need to "work" at the Reservoir which rarely ices completely over.)
Yep. "When the going gets tough, the flying geese and mallards leave." And the Reservoir is the place to go -- only a "pond hop" from Harlem Meer.
But, Brad can never leave the Meer regardless of what the conditions are.
And so, he works his tail off and becomes the "taskmaster" to the rest of the ducks and even the resident geese.
Brad is the epitome of the "purpose-driven life!". -- PCA
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