"Baggage"

(Photo:  Chrissy sharing treat last night with Loner.)

 

"She took my baggage!  How could she do that?"

 

The profound thought came to me one night a few months ago while stumbling across a ditzy TV program called, "Baggage."

 

In a Jerry Springer version of "Match.com" contestants vie for the affections of another, but first they have to "reveal their baggage."

 

The baggage of one young woman was, "I write a blog that nobody reads."

 

I thought I was the only one who had that claim to infamy!  How could this woman steal my baggage? 

 

Today, I see the page views on this blog have surpassed the 20,000 mark.

 

But, that is after a few years and I am quite convinced that Buster and his gaggle, as well as some other geese have web access and periodically check to see what I am writing about them.

 

So far, the geese (and ducks) have not commented to complain so I presume they are basically OK with what's been said.

 

But, I didn't think any humans were actually reading this thing!

 

But, now seeing the count over 20,000, I have to wonder.  Is there actually a readership for this and if so, who are they?

 

Perhaps the site is being monitored in case I should go off the deep end about the geese.  In these days of terrorists threats, school shootings and other deadly, bizarre happenings, one can never be too sure what others are putting out there on the web.

 

Still, I wasn't planning (and don't now) to organize a "Goose Spring.".  I just happen to like them and feel geesies should be protected and respected.

 

So, how else did the page views on this blog get up to 20,000?

 

Ah, there really must be little green men from outer space or perhaps ghosts.  They and the geesies and duckies have taken away my claim to infamy and "baggage."  I will obviously have to come up with some different baggage if striving to get on the show. 

 

Perhaps this will do?   "I run out at midnight to feed ducks and geese."

 

It was in fact, nearly midnight last night, when scooting up to Harlem Meer with my dogs to check on my duck and geese friends. A get-together with a human friend had run a little long.

 

Things were very quiet at the Meer at the late hour.

 

Initially, I only saw one duck pair on the lake and figured most of the waterfowl to be asleep for the night.

 

"Well, toss out a few seeds to these two and quickly be on your way," I thought.

 

But, then from the east side of the lake, came loud honks and suddenly one goose came flying across the water and trotted cheerfully on to the embankment.

 

"Honk, honk" greeted Loner in a low honk.     ("Loner" is the goose who typically hangs nears Buster and his gaggle, but doesn't seem to actually be a family member.)

 

Apparently, Loner's loud honks woke up the rest of the crowd.

 

Within minutes, the Bradley Brigade came running for a midnight snack as did Buster and his family.  Chrissy showed up too, but was unceremoniously shoved back into the water after a couple of minutes by a cantankerous drake.

 

But, not to be denied, Chrissy stayed at the water's edge, initiated eye contact with me and like a baby bird waiting for Mama to feed her, lifted her head and opened her mouth wide!

 

Anyone claiming birds are "dumb" hasn't met Chrissy.

 

Not only does this disabled mallard use her wits and will to survive, but Chrissy is a master at using charm and vulnerability to play on the sympathies of "bleeding heart" (or crazy) humans.

 

As much as I care about the other ducks and geese, I always try to get the bulk of treats to Chrissy, though that isn't always easy considering the bullying tactics of other ducks.

 

Finally walking home through empty streets last night, I could not help but think how "crazy" it was to head out near midnight just to be sure Chrissy and company didn't go wanting.

 

Surely, if that ain't "baggage," I don't know what is. 

 

Certainly enough to send any one packing. -- PCA

 

 

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Wits and Will -- The Exceptions to the Rule

(Photos:  1-- The Bradley Brigade. Despite the "rules" against them, all three domestic ducks not only survive, but flourish in an otherwise, difficult environment.  2-- Chrissy.  A disabled mallard who has used wits and will to survive an otherwise, life threatening injury.)

 

All rules have exceptions.

 

This was my thought when reading a very fine and mostly factual article published a couple of days ago, regarding the usually dire fate of domestic ducks and geese abandoned to public parks:

 

http://www.oregonlive.com/pets/index.ssf/2012/03/practice_of_abandoning_domesti.html

 

Indeed, it is an act of cruelty and irresponsibility to abandon to circumstance, domestic animals raised in captivity and/or human homes.

 

Nature tends not always to be kind to "interlopers" on the territory and space of wild and native animals.

 

Additionally, abandonment to the random outdoors for an animal accustomed to indoor, regulated temperatures and controlled environment has to be a very terrifying and challenging ordeal for the goose or duck who has never seen grass or a lake or had to forest for food.

 

Most important and significant, geese and ducks are, "flock animals."  Without a flock to interact, work with and rely on for protection, a goose or duck (whether domestic or wild) is more or less doomed.

 

Still, there are the exceptions to the rule.

 

Brad, Piggly and Wiggly at Harlem Meer are notable exceptions.

 

All three are domestic, flightless "barnyard" ducks who have not only survived life in a public park, but flourished.

 

I personally don't know the origin of these birds.  They may have been "Easter ducklings" abandoned when grown up or possibly even rescued from a "Live Poultry Market" and dropped off at the park.  But, regardless of the original circumstances, Brad, Piggly and Wiggly have miraculously endured.

 

I don't know when Brad first appeared at Harlem Meer.  But, I know he has been there for at least the three years that I have been visiting.

 

Brad is, I believe, a "Rouen" duck or he could be, a "Kacki Campbell."  For the first two years of my observances of him, Brad was with a female Kacki Campbell ("Angelina").  The two ducks might have been dropped off together or eventually found each other on the lake.  This was of course, crucial to their survival -- to at least have each other.

 

Sadly, something happened to Angelina last spring and overnight, she mysteriously vanished.

 

For months, Brad was alone and seemingly "lost" on the lake.  Constantly searching for Angelina, his status immediately diminished among the other waterfowl, I seriously worried for Brad and even spoke to Central Park rangers about the possibility of rescue and seeking a sanctuary for him.

 

But, the request was dismissed with "Nature should take its course" even though we weren't talking about nature or wild birds, but rather, a domestic duck abandoned and alone in a park.

 

Nevertheless, despite the lack of flock and status, Brad pressed on and managed, if not to be totally accepted by mallards at least not to be attacked by them. He had, after all, already survived several years on the Meer.

 

But, I worried what would happen to Brad in winter when the lake froze over and all the mallards and geese would leave?

 

Certainly, Brad could not survive all alone on a frozen lake!

 

But, as matters turned out, the lake never entirely froze over during this exceptionally mild winter and the mallards and geese never left.

 

Brad was lucky in other ways, too.

 

This past fall, two other domestic (Kacki Campbell) ducks mysteriously appeared at the lake, though at different times.

 

First there was Piggly.

 

A skinny, wretched and seemingly very weak duck, Piggly began showing up for treats some time in October as I recall.

 

I did not think this "lone duck" had any chance for survival at all.  Not only was Piggly mercilessly attacked by mallards, but even Brad did not initially accept him.

 

I tried to get extra food to Piggly in effort to strengthen and fatten him up but it most often seemed like a fruitless effort due to the relentless attacks by other birds. 

 

Nevertheless, over the weeks that followed, Piggly gained strength and developed a very keen ability to dart and escape mallard attacks as well as to quickly grab food.

 

About a month following Piggly's appearance, Wiggly began showing up for food.

 

Wiggly was a female Kacki Campbell and though in better shape than Piggly when he was first dumped, she too, was alone and skittish.

 

It was my hope then that the two domestic ducks would take up with each other for protection and companionship.

 

It took a while, but that eventually occurred.

 

And as fall began to give way to winter, Brad ultimately welcomed and took the other two domestic ducks under his protective wing.

 

That is, in fact, how the "Bradley Brigade" and "Three Duckateers" came to be. Birds of a feather flocking together for safety, companionship and survival.

 

But, as noted, it wasn't something that occurred over a day or a week, but rather several months.

 

All three domestic ducks were lucky that there were other domestics in the same predicament.  Were that not so, its unlikely they would have ultimately or easily survived.

 

Another "exception to the rule" is Chrissy.

 

To be frank, I have no idea how this disabled mallard has survived nor can I guess how a mallard sustains an almost back-crippling injury (unless being hit with something).

 

But, somehow, Chrissy has endured for at least a year despite being barely able to walk.

 

But, sometimes in nature, those with disabilities are able to compensate and adapt in other ways that enable them to survive.

 

In Chrissy's case, she is exceptionally smart and has learned to use her eyes and wits to access food quicker than the rest of the mallards with full and greater physical strength.

 

Some animal lovers might have thought it wiser to try and rescue Chrissy and bring her to a bird hospital or vet.

 

But, I am quite sure that most vets would recommend euthanasia for a wild mallard who is basically crippled and for whom there is no treatment.

 

But, perhaps medicines, "treatment" and "rules" aren't always the keys to survival and endurance.

 

Wits and will are.

 

In today's modern world, there are many humans who can't seem to get through the days without some "medication" from the cradle to the grave.

 

One wonders how animals in nature survive without any of these "feel gooders" -- even those animals who the rules say should not survive?

 

Perhaps there is real truth in the statement that, "Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger."

 

I personally believe that to be especially true for geese whom humans have waged "war" upon, but who nevertheless, not only survive, but prosper and procreate.

 

And it can sometimes and obviously be true for domestic ducks and other animals abandoned to the wilds or city parks who have nothing but wits and will to survive on.

 

In the quests for survival, wits and will seemingly outdo medications and human manipulation every time.

 

That is what creates the exceptions to the rules or perhaps more accurately, the very rules themselves.

 

"Let nature take its course," I was once told by park rangers.

 

And I now believe they were right as nature takes care of its own -- apparently much better than we humans can and do.

 

Nature provides wits and will where the obvious and even necessary may lack.  -- PCA

 

 

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Time to Rock 'n Roll!

I could have rung his neck last night!

 

I am talking about Brad, the ringleader of the three duckateers at Harlem Meer.

 

But. more about that later......

 

Most of the migratory geese have left Central Park to return to their breeding places far north.

 

It was especially exciting a few nights ago to be at Harlem Meer when several goose families took off from the water, presumably for their lengthy journeys back to Canada.

 

They are like planes taking off in intervals from an airport.

 

First, there is the revving up engines.  (Lots of honking before takeoff.)

 

Then there is the taxiing around runway. (The geese usually fly a few circles around watercourse before actually leaving.)

 

And finally there is the seemingly orchestrated and highly systematic takeoffs of the geese in skeins of about 6 to 10 each in intervals of ten or fifteen minutes.

 

A totally mesmerizing event to observe.   I considered myself very fortunate to have been able to witness the migratory geese taking off on their wondrous, but extremely daunting journeys.

 

May God be with and protect them......

 

Despite the departing migratorys, Harlem Meer is not empty of its goose population.

 

Buster and his gaggle are still there as are several other goose families. 

 

I am guessing that at this point, all or most are resident geese of New York City. 

 

Most will try to stay at Harlem Meer until they are either harassed out or elect to return to whatever locations they attempt to nest or molt over the summer.

 

(As previously noted, Harlem Meer is not a desirable area for goose nesting and raising young.   Too much human activity and fishing over the summer in addition to a lack of suitable cover for protection of nests and goslings.)

 

I suspect Buster and his gaggle will soon leave Harlem Meer as most or all of the remaining geese. 

 

There were however, nine (very spooked and nervous) geese who molted at the Meer last summer.  It will be interesting to see if the shy nine return, though its possible all the human activity and fishing might have been too unnerving for them.  I always suspected the spazzed geese arriving at the Meer last June were lucky escapees (because they could still fly) from a USDA goose roundup occurring elsewhere in the city.   They appeared to be highly traumatized animals.  Everything made the geese jump and they spent most of the six weeks of molting huddled in the middle of the lake.

 

The geese who are at the Meer now mostly stay within their individual gaggles or in some cases, are starting to pair off.

 

Many of the mallards are already paired off.

 

And then of course there are the squabbles of mating and territory that occur among the waterfowl this time of year.

 

"Time to rock and roll" as the saying goes.  Lots of duckie "barroom brawls" happening now, none of which are quiet or subdued.  Mallards can be quite aggressive and raucous when their hormones are in full gear.

 

Speaking of "hormones in gear," I don't know what the story was with the Bradley Brigade last night.  But for the first time in many months, I could not find Brad and his two charges, Piggly and Wiggly when arriving to the Meer and it sent me into a borderline panic.

 

No matter where they are on the lake, the Bradley Brigade always come running when I arrive at the Meer every night regardless of time or weather.

 

When the three flightless, "barnyard" ducks failed to show up at all, my mind began to race in all kinds of dire scenarios.  

 

So, like a total fool, I walked all around the lake with my two dogs to search for them.

 

But, there was no sign of Brad, Piggly or Wiggly!

 

Where can they be?  What could have happened?   Did some ruthless, horrible people grab them for dinner as what happened to two of the three Pekin ducks two summers ago?  Oh, why couldn't these ducks be rescued and taken to a country farm to live out their lives in peace?

 

By the time I completed a full circle around the lake,  a thousand questions were running through my head.

 

But, then, there they were!  Right at the spot I usually feed them!

 

Brad, Piggly and Wiggly immediately came running to me, their eyes wide open and their mouths quacking off a mile a minute.

 

"WHERE the hell were you?  We've been waiting here and there are no seeds for us! Are you going to let us STARVE?"

 

Oh yes, I wanted to RING Brad's bright green neck last night -- the little ingrate!

 

But, instead, I whipped out several hand fulls of black oiled sunflower seeds (his favorite) and Brad quickly scooped them from my hand.   His two greedy counterparts quickly grabbed whatever seeds fell to the ground.

 

After a few minutes, all three ducks returned to their now spring time antics of throwing their weight around and dishing out orders to the mallards.

 

Brad is so big now, I think he could easily take on a goose -- as Piggly already has. In fact, the two male ducks constantly engage in "discussions" now, presumably on how to intimidate every bird at the Meer.

 

I expect any day now that Brad and Piggly will whip out swords while Wiggly scoots around wiggling her booty and looking cute.

 

"The three duckateers."

 

But, last night, I could have rung three duck necks.

 

Such a fright they gave me.

 

Me running all around the lake like a fool, while the three duckateers were off rocking and rolling somewhere.

 

"It should be your heads that roll!"  I admonished to the Bradley Brigade last night when finally leaving the Meer.

 

But, they weren't listening.  Nor did they bother to escort me out as they usually do.

 

Brad was chasing one mallard in the water, while Piggly pecked another and Wiggly sauntered around on the grass with her butt proudly in the air.

 

Drum and guitar rolls, please.   Spring is here.  Time to rock 'n roll! --PCA

 

 

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Scapegeesing the Geese -- The Perfect Target for Human Frustrations and Failures

Although Canada geese have been blamed for everything from pollution to terrorizing other birds, to bringing down planes to "flying into people's faces" the facts present a very different story.

 

Through observations and logging, I have attempted to show that geese are beneficial to and attract other waterfowl, while at the same time their droppings (acting as fertilizer) are beneficial to the growth and ultimate health of grass.

 

But, who am I after all, but a semi- retired dog and cat rescuer?  I have no degree after my name, nor even a college education.

 

That is why it was so refreshing to recently come across an important article from India that actually backs and confirms personal observations and conclusions:

 

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_geese-help-sustain-a-wetland-ecology-in-ahmedabad_1657042

 

Though not lengthy or particularly detailed, this piece appears to refute some of the major charges against geese (i.e. that they destroy environments and keep away other birds.)

 

As written repeatedly in this journal, geese, (being waterfowl) are a strategic part of natural ecology and are important to other birds in terms of finding or creating food sources and even affording a sense of security and protection.

 

That geese have been so demonized around the world is a great mystery -- unless it is simply part of the human condition to seek scapegoats for our own failings or destruction.

 

Acknowledgement and accountability can sometimes be bitter pills for us humans to swallow.

 

Geese are of course, an almost perfect target for human frustration and blame games.

 

Notwithstanding the ludicrous charge of geese "flying into people's faces," the fact is, geese have no fangs, talons or claws with which to attack people or even defend themselves.

 

Moreover, geese are, (compared to other birds), fairly slow and pondering, generally trusting of humans and for six weeks of the year they are entirely flightless during the molting period.   This render geese "easy pickings" for government roundups whether in water or on land.

 

Since most people aren't particularly knowledgeable about or intimately familiar with geese, it is easy to cast all kinds of aspersions, distortions and allegations upon geese with little confrontation or challenge.

 

A recent example of this media tendency of wild exaggeration and failure to fact-check is this article out of Rhode Island yesterday which claims in the last paragraph that it was a "huge flock of geese that brought down flight 1549 in the Hudson in 2009...." 

 

The fact is that it was TWO migratory geese from Canada that the United Airways plane collided with on 1-15-2009, not a "huge flock."   Moreover, the particular plane had suffered engine stall on the previous flight and almost had to emergency land (something that had nothing to do with birds).   Passengers report scare on earlier US Airways Flight 1549 - CNN    Normally, when planes collide with birds, they return to airports.  That this one landed in a river said far more about the plane itself than the TWO geese it collided with.

 

But, these are the kinds of facts that get lost in the shuffle of seeking easy scapegoating and blame.

 

After all, it is far easier and cheaper to target and kill thousands of slow, flightless and totally defenseless geese than to fix all the mechanical deficiencies and problems in our airliners.

 

Still, perhaps the very best example of scapegoating (or really, "scapegeesing") geese is Prospect Park in Brooklyn, New York.

 

In the early morning of July 8th, 2010, 368 Canada geese and their goslings were rounded up from Prospect Park, trucked to Kennedy Airport and gassed by USDA "Wildlife Services."  (Wildlife Services in fact, killed 5 million animals in 2010. 

Wildlife Services Killed 5 Million Animals at $24 apiece | AnimalTourism News)

 

Primary justification for the massacre of Prospect Park goose families and their babies was of course, "Flight 1549" landing in the Hudson. But, there were other excuses as previously alluded to.

 

But, Prospect Park has long been a location of numerous problems, none of which have anything to do with geese.

 

To offer just the most recent example is this article out of yesterday's Brooklyn Paper describing teenagers setting a bird habitat ablaze.  

 

http://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/35/10/_dtg_prospectparkfire_2012_03_09_bk.html

 

Prospect Park has long been a bastion for animal cruelty, drug dealing, refuge dumping, assorted crimes and general neglect.

 

But, in 2010, the entire population of Prospect Park Canada geese was targeted and destroyed.

 

What does that say about human priorities, acknowledgement, responsibility and accountability?

 

It seems to say, "We are powerless or unwilling to clean up the real sources of crime, pollution, drugs, illegal dumping and other problems.   But, we can target and kill the easy geese."

 

"Scapegeesing" the geese.  -- The perfect and easy targets for human frustrations, failures and blame games.  -- PCA

 

 

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The Poop Hitting the Fan

(Photos 1-- Molly, a lovely, healthy and loving cat whose lack of sufficient poop became an obsession for adopter.  2-- Canada goose whose accusation of "too much poop" becomes obsession for other people.)

 

Those familiar with the first half of this blog realize that I was involved with cat and dog rescue and adoptions for more than 20 years.

 

I don't write about this anymore and for the past two years have sought to extricate myself from rescue and placement in favor of becoming more involved with nature.

 

But, animal rescue is like quicksand:  Easy to get into and very hard to get out of.

 

A few months ago, I took a cat from a neighbor who was very ill and could no longer care for the kitty.

 

I placed the pretty and very friendly gray cat named Molly with my good friend, Elizabeth, who agreed to foster until either Cheryl recovered enough to take her kitty back or Molly could be placed into an adoptive home.

 

Sadly, my neighbor unexpectantly died as result of complications from chemotherapy.

 

As shocking as it was to learn that Cheryl had died, her cat was in good hands and doing well in Elizabeth's home.

 

Elizabeth already has her own beloved cat whom she adopted from me 7 years ago. And although both cats got along well, I did not necessarily assume that Elizabeth would keep Molly.    Elizabeth has in fact fostered nearly 100 cats over the course of many years, all of whom were eventually placed in responsible, adoptive homes.

 

It was therefore encouraging to be contacted from an interested and highly qualified potential adopter for Molly three weeks ago.

 

"Susan" and her husband had recently lost their 14-year-old cat to breast cancer (almost always fatal in cats) despite valiant attempts to save through veterinary treatment.

 

I liked Susan and had a good feeling about her. She and her husband obviously loved cats, had an excellent vet reference and a lovely apartment on Manhattan's Upper East Side.

 

Indeed, this seemed like the perfect couple and adoptive home for Molly!

 

And so Susan and John adopted Molly and at first everything seemed ideal.

 

However, my friend and foster person, Elizabeth had some reservations about the adoption.

 

"Susan seems like she's wound a little tight." Elizabeth warned. "We'd better hope that Molly poops soon."

 

Both Elizabeth and I chuckled that Susan seemed a bit fixated on cats' bathroom frequency.  Apparently, the couple's previous cat had problems with constipation shortly before she died.

 

I didn't however think too much about this at the time of the adoption.

 

Molly was a perfectly healthy, spayed and loving 2-year-old cat who was medically checked out before going to Elizabeth.  And Susan and John were loving "cat people."

 

What could possibly go wrong?

 

The day following the adoption, I received a somewhat frantic call from Susan.

 

"Molly hasn't pooped yet.  There must be something wrong!"

 

"No, Susan." I tried to say reassuringly.  "As we told you, it is perfectly normal for cats to feel inhibited when going to a new place and not use the bathroom for even a few days.  The best thing for you to do is nothing.  It's important for people to be relaxed so the animal can relax and feel comfortable.   Not to make light of this, I usually recommend that new adopters have a glass of wine."

 

Though I attempted to joke, Susan wasn't laughing.

 

"I am very worried. I love this cat, but this just doesn't seem normal!"

 

"Susan, it takes at least a month for most cats and dogs to adapt to and be comfortable and secure in a new environment.  Please try to be patient and relaxed."

 

By day two of Molly not pooping, Susan and John rushed her to their vet.

 

After doing an examination, Dr.Johnson could not find anything obviously wrong with Molly. He gave the couple some medication and advised them to look around the apartment in case Molly was going outside the box.

 

Over the next couple of weeks, I received several more alarmist calls from Susan.

 

"I am following Molly around with a flashlight, but cannot find anything!  She has only done a couple of small poops the entire time she's been here!   The toxins must be building up in her system!   I love Molly and don't want to return her, but there's something horribly wrong!  This is what happened to my last cat before she died!"

 

"Susan, have you ever heard of 'self-fulfilling prophecy?" I asked.  "It's tragic about your last cat.  But, Molly is a young, healthy cat!  She is not dying of breast cancer.  But, you need to consider that animals are very sensitive to the anxieties of their people!  A cat or dog cannot relax and be comfortable if the energy around them is frenetic and anxious. Forget the flashlight and laxatives.   Put on some nice music.  Watch a movie.  Have a martini."

 

"We don't drink!"

 

You SHOULD drink! I wanted to say, but didn't.

 

It seemed nothing I could say registered with Susan.

 

Yesterday morning, Susan called again.

 

"We're going to have to bring Molly back  She is a very sick cat. We've taken her twice to the vet. He say's its problematic and we should return her. She's walking around with her tail down and hasn't pooped in FOUR days!  I don't want her dying on us!"

 

"Yes, Susan, it is best that Molly be returned.  I will call Elizabeth and we will make arrangements to take Molly back."

 

After calling Dr. Johnson, the vet, he told me he was baffled to what the problem was, but agreed that it was best that Molly go to a different environment. 

 

I also learned from Dr. Johnson that Molly had pooped on Sunday which was only two days, but at that point it didn't matter.  Nor, did the cat "walking with tail down" matter. The fact is, most healthy cats normally walk with their tails down.  Cats aren't dogs.

 

Susan and John returned Molly to Elizabeth yesterday, convinced that the cat was on her last legs.

 

By this time I was also worried and self-questioning.

 

Was I being too lax (no pun intended) and dismissive?  Making light of a serious and potentially life-threatening situation?  Blaming the adopters for what was really a sick and dying animal?

 

I recommended to Elizabeth to monitor Molly carefully and let me know if the cat wasn't pooping.

 

"If she doesn't poop in a couple of days, she will have to go to Dr. G. (my vet.)

 

Shortly after Molly was returned, I received a call from Elizabeth.

 

"Guess what, Patty?  Molly wasn't here even an hour when she went into the bathroom and made this HUGE poop!  It was enough for a PONY!"

 

"Oh my God!  I can't believe it!  The poor kitty must have been so wound up-- just like the adopter!    You really called this one, Elizabeth."

 

I don't know who was more "relieved" by Molly's gigantic poop -- the cat or Elizabeth and I.

 

"It's really pathetic to think what our lives have become when we find ourselves celebrating a cat pooping!" I laughed to Elizabeth.

 

"Yes, well, let's have a drink to toast this one!" Elizabeth laughed.  "We can have the drink that Susan and her hubby should have had!"

 

And so, if some have wondered why I have tried to get out of cat and dog rescue and adoptions over the past two years this is why.

 

But, it has nothing to do with the animals who I really feel bad about not rescuing anymore.

 

It has everything to do with the people who expect adopted animals to "work" like toasters or laptops when first bringing home.

 

Or, maybe its simply because I want something more to "celebrate" in life than a cat (or dog) pooping.

 

That really is kind of pathetic when one thinks about it.

 

Now, back to the issues humans have with "goose poop."

 

Looks like I can't really escape the subject, doesn't it?  -- PCA

 

 

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Any Way the Wind Blows

(Photos: 1-- "The Three Duck-A-Teers," Brad, Piggly and Wiggly. 2-- Chrissy with new boyfriend?  3-- Buster, confronting migratory geese last night on his turf.)

 

In a matter of a couple of days we went from spring-like, balmy temperatures to what felt on Saturday night like a walk through the Arctic.

 

Though this winter has been far milder in New York City than last, I found myself questioning sanity walking in Central Park in freezing temperatures and 40 MPH wind gusts.  Several times I had to turn my back to the angry winds Saturday night and almost had trouble maintaining balance.

 

It made me wonder how small birds like mallards manage to brace the winds when only weighing about three pounds, while I stand 5'5" tall and weigh 110?

 

I especially worry for a compromised duck like Chrissy.

 

But, Chrissy has proven herself to be extremely resilient, courageous, adaptable and smart.

 

She is easily recognizable even when in the water because of her direct eye contact with me.

 

And even through the punishing winds on Saturday, Chrissy managed to hop on the embankment, putter up to me and eat directly from my hand.

 

In fact, Chrissy shared hand treats with Brad on Saturday.  -- Something I was grateful for since I didn't want to spend more time in the bitter cold and winds than what was absolutely necessary.

 

A colleague has suggested that Chrissy appears to have an old back injury from photos I have posted. 

 

I believe this to be an accurate assessment because nothing appears obviously wrong with Chrissy's legs.

 

But, she can only walk a few steps before having to sit and appears to have some weakness or pain in the back.

 

But, of course one wonders how a duck injures her back?

 

That isn't the kind of injury that would come from another bird or a discarded fishing line.

 

Then again, I have seen in the past, kids throwing rocks and sticks at the waterfowl at Harlem Meer. 

 

Whatever the source of the injury to Chrissy, she is nevertheless a survivor.  And as written previously, she appears a good deal stronger than when first noticed in the winter of last year when she could not walk at all without toppling over.

 

The goose situation at Central Park over the past week has been like the weather: 

 

Unpredictable, changeable and seemingly, any way the wind blows.

 

Last week, there were a couple of nights when there were very few geese at Harlem Meer.  Only Buster and Brianna showed up for treats while presumably the rest of their gaggle remained in the water.

 

But, then Saturday night, a whole bunch of new geese appeared to have blown in with the  winds.

 

Presumably migratory geese, most had left by last night.  But, not all.

 

Some of the new geese boldly ventured on to the embankment last night and Buster was not having any of it.

 

In fact, so busy was Buster trying to intimidate and chase the new geese back into the water, that he barely had time to swoop any treats from my hand.

 

But, the ganders of the new gaggles were not easily brushed off and dismissed.

 

"How dare you chase and harass our mates and families!  Just who do you think you are?  You don't own this place!"

 

"This IS my place!  You are only here by my good graces!  You get your butts back in the water and take a hike!"

 

Yep, a whole lot of honking last night and most of it was not the greeting kind.

 

But, it seems Buster has to learn that not all migratory geese are shrinking violets who kow tow to his orders.

 

Some of the older, migratory ganders are as big as Buster and they are equally tough.  These birds don't migrate hundreds or even thousands of miles without developing a hard crust.

 

Eventually the loud honking and arguing subsided.

 

Some of the migratory geese returned to the water, but the more stubborn ones remained.

 

It seems Buster had to learn a little humility last night. 

 

Meanwhile, through all the commotion, I attempted to feed Chrissy from my hand.

 

A couple of geese grabbed at nearby seeds on the ground. Fortunately, the respectful geese did not bother Chrissy.

 

But, Piggly and Wiggly did!

 

The two domestic ducks who only months ago, were questionable in terms of survival at a public park have become so tough and seemingly "aggressive" since they hooked up with Brad, that I had to try and push their faces away from stealing from Chrissy!

 

Piggly especially attempted to bully and push Chrissy away.

 

Now, I don't mind when Piggly belligerently takes a peck at Buster as Buster can obviously defend himself.  But, I do mind Piggly aggressing against the smaller and weaker Chrissy.

 

"Hey there, you mind your manners!"

 

But, it was too late.

 

Chrissy meekly scampered away and sat down at the edge of the grass.

 

But, by that time, I had gotten enough treats to Chrissy so she was probably satisfied anyway.

 

Nevertheless, Piggly has become one mean duck.  And Wiggly is not a whole lot better.

 

It seems Brad is teaching his two charges well!

 

And like Buster last night chasing geese, Brad was busy chasing some of the newer mallards off.

 

Finally satisfied that he had laid down the "rules" to the new migratory ducks, Brad eventually called to his two flock mates and Piggly and Wiggly immediately joined him in the water.

 

"The three duck-a-teers." I thought.

 

Meanwhile, Chrissy too, returned to the water.   This past week, I noticed Chrissy twice swimming and hanging out with a drake.  Not sure if she actually has a "boyfriend" yet, but Chrissy appears to be testing romantic waters.

 

There does seem to be a lot of "dating" and pairing off recently among the mallards.

 

Perhaps that's because tomorrow temperatures will again rise to the low 50's.

 

Migratory geese and ducks passing through and sometimes stopping for a while.  Turf battles, geese pair offs and ducks "dating."

 

Yep, "any way the wind blows" these days.

 

And though still blustery and cold some days, there is no doubt, it eventually blows "spring." 

 

And no one knows that better than the ducks and geese.  -- PCA

 

 

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On The Move -- In More Ways Than One!

(Photos:  1-- Chrissy, feeling more confident with fewer drakes around. 2--Buster and Brianna enjoying romantic dinner.  3-- Buster on sentry duty, keeping other geese away from he and his mate.) 

 

 

Temperatures in New York City have soared over the past couple of days to those that are more comparable to late March or early April.

 

Sensing the early warm-up, geese and ducks are already on the move, pairing up, defending territory and in some cases, already mating.  (This link to a popular NYC blog displays photos of two geese mating at Turtle Pond last week.  http://rogerpaw.blogspot.com/2012/02/mating-canada-geese-central-park.html.  Are the geese Mama and Papa who, in the past have utilized Turtle Pond as their exclusive  breeding site and playground?  One cannot be sure, but it seems a strong likelihood.)

 

Things are rapidly changing at Harlem Meer, as well.

 

Most of the visiting migratory geese and mallards have left presumably to embark on journeys to northern breeding grounds.

 

I first noticed the decline in numbers on Tuesday night.

 

Not only did fewer geese and ducks come to greet me and beg treats, but even those who did arrive to the south embankment were not so hungry and desperate to "fuel up" as they do during the cold.

 

Mallards were not tripping over my feet and even the small group of Canada geese were subdued and not all that eager for treats.  (Not sure if they were Buster and gaggle or another family of geese.  The four geese mostly took up sentry position on the edge of lake and peered out over the water.)

 

Due to the calmer atmosphere and fewer cantankerous mallards to pick on her, Chrissy (the lame mallard) hopped on the grass Tuesday night, walked around (almost like a normal duck!) and confidently scooped up treats!  (Usually, when many mallards are present and scrambling for treats and Buster is on a goosing rampage, Chrissy remains at the water's edge not wanting to get crushed under the waterfowl melee on the ground or attacked by aggressive drakes.)

 

But, with most of the mallards and geese gone now, Chrissy's confidence levels on ground (where her disability is more pronounced) have seemingly and dramatically risen.

 

The Bradley Brigade has also been a little different over the past two nights, but the change is mostly in Brad -- the small flock's leader.

 

Brad has been extremely "chatty" over the past couple of weeks, seemingly spilling out orders to his two charges, Piggly and Wiggly, a mile a minute. 

 

Not seeming that hungry in recent days, Brad is more concerned about re-establishing territory and showing the mallards who is "boss" at Harlem Meer.  Last night particularly, though there were only a handful of mallards on the embankment, Brad spent more time chasing and pecking the few mallards than actually eating.  (He was quite literally, the duck version of Buster or, more precisely, the "old Brad" once again.)

 

Meanwhile, Buster seemingly chased off the rest of his gaggle last night to be exclusively and romantically with his mate, Brianna once again.

 

Last night, Buster and Brianna were the only geese who showed up to greet and treat.

 

But, Buster only took a couple of hand-fulls of treats from my hand and then took up "sentry position" on the edge of the lake, while Brianna continued to eat seeds off the ground.

 

At first, I wondered if the two geese were actually Buster and Brianna?

 

But, when the guarding gander began to "goose" the mallards --especially taking specific aim at Piggly, I knew he was Buster.

 

Buster has apparently never forgotten (or forgiven) that terrible and humiliating night when the brazen domestic duck (Piggly) pecked some feathers off his butt!

 

It was time for Buster to get his revenge on Piggly and return the favor.

 

For his part, Piggy, (the "jokerster") simply pranced off laughing to himself.

 

"Ah, so easy to get his gander!  The silly goose is so full of himself!  But, Buster can never outrun or out-gander me!  LOL!"

 

There was at least one other pair of geese on the water last night at Harlem Meer.

 

But, with Buster on "sentry duty" while his mate snacked, the goose pair did not dare to come anywhere near the embankment.

 

Ganders on mate-protection duty are not to be messed with -- especially, Buster. 

 

While there are not many geese and mallards at Harlem Meer right now, there seemed to be many at the Reservoir last night.

 

But, I am guessing those mostly to be migratory birds on the move.  Migratory geese and mallards may stop at the Reservoir for a day or so to rest, but they quickly move on.

 

The unusually warm weather is only supposed to last until Saturday.

 

But, the geese and ducks are already on the move (in more ways than one) and that can only be expected to accelerate over the coming weeks and months.

 

For all intensive purposes, spring is already here.  -- PCA

 

                                              

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