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She was out there again last night. In the middle of the Reservoir, alone, without any sign of other bird or life near her.
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She made no attempt to move; to escape the rain that continued to fall and bead upon her head and body.
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It was as though she wanted to blend and melt and disappear into the misty fog and approaching, early darkness.
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She arrived to the Central Park Reservoir four days ago -- completely alone.
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Exhausted, spent, she sat on the water barely moving, with her head tucked into her back.
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It is always a forlorn and disconcerting sight to observe any solitary Canada goose, but especially a migratory goose and especially during the hunting season.
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She stood out in the otherwise empty still water, like a dagger though a cloud.
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There are only three reasons for a Canada goose to be without his/her mate or flock and none are good:
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1-- S/he has become lost and separated in flight -- something that is a little unusual for Canada geese as they are so organized when flying in familiar "V" formation. Moreover, if a goose falls out of formation, it is typical that two other geese will follow and stay with the hurt goose until s/he either recovers or dies.
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2-- S/he has suffered illness or injury and was unable to continue on with her brethren.
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3-- S/he was the only goose to survive a targeted shoot by hunters.
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"A foursome came in and though they never committed to landing, we killed three of them."
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Am I looking at the one goose who got away from the fire and the guns? http://www.outdoorhub.com/news/2015/09/11/michigans-canada-goose-season-could-be-historic/
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Or, if not that particular hunt, another one as early hunting season has begun in many parts of the country, including New York. It is not unusual for hunters to boast that they shot all but one or two geese who managed to get away.
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But, what happens to the loners who miraculously escape the bullets?
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We sometimes find ourselves looking at them, far out in the mist and desolately alone as the rain tumbles gently upon their spent bodies and tucked back heads.
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"Won't you look down upon me, Jesus, you've got to help me make a stand.
You've just got to see me through another day
My body's aching and my time is at hand
I won't make it any other way
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"I've seen fire and I've seen rain. I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end.
But I always thought that I'd see you again."
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Yes, "sweet dreams and flying machines in pieces on the ground."
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I wonder if James Taylor was looking at a loner goose during the season of the guns when he wrote that song? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3uaXCJcRrE -- PCA
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