(Photo: New family of geese at the Boat Lake last night! -- other photos in link towards end of text entry)
What does one do when devoid of hope and dreading the future?
Where does one run when running on empty?
I run in search of geese. And these days that means trips to the Boat Lake in Central Park.
Somehow, if I can still find Mama and Papa goose and know they are safe, it renews and restores something. -- A sense that no matter how seemingly bleak, the spark of hope and possibility still exists.
It rained steadily most of yesterday and was still raining lightly when I headed to Central Park shortly before dusk with my two dogs.
That was fine. The rain brings with it, a kind of cleansing and refresh. Moreover, one imagines it is welcomed by most of the wildlife as the rain brings peace and tranquility.
I first walked by the Reservoir in Central Park. Grey mist hung over the fading day and there were few birds on the water. However, I did see two Cormorants diving under and then taking off from the Reservoir. Normally, I enjoy seeing Cormorants (though I don't know much about these mostly elusive and shy fish catchers).
But, yesterday, I was reminded that Cormorants are also a "target" bird on our airlines and USDA "hit list" and therefore the experience was more depressing than uplifting. (Sometimes I wish I wasn't aware of all the new target birds on agency hit lists. Whoever said, "ignorance is bliss" knew what they were talking about.)
From the Reservoir, I walked to the Great Lawn and that is when the glumness of the day suddenly began to change as sun breaking through clouds.
Because of the rain, the Great Lawn was closed to the public.
And it was a literal field day for the birds!
Pairs of mallards nestled peacefully in the grass as if enjoying a "free concert." There were at least 8 to 10 of them somewhat spread out in a row.
But, the "concert" was the variety of bird tweets and calls as starlings, sparrows and other feathered friends took full advantage of the human-empty lawn to merrily hop and graze.
And low and behold, among the "others" of birds were the two Canada geese (grown offspring of Mama and Papa goose) who have, in recent days, taken to the Great Lawn for occasionally feast sharing with other birds.
As soon as seeing me, the two geese came to greet, as they used to do when tiny goslings. The geese were hatched at Turtle Pond, "next door" to the Great Lawn during the spring of 2010. I remember when they grew their flight feathers, how the two youngsters loved to "hop" from the pond to the Great Lawn while their parents and siblings remained at the pond. These two were always the "adventurers."
Seeing the two geese again in their favorite place took me back to happy memories and engendered a feeling of longing that, however unrealistic, some things (hopefully) never change.
From the Great Lawn, I headed toward the Boat Lake already feeling a kind of spiritual uplifting from the sweet encounter with Mama and Papa's grown "babies."
From a distance I could make out Mama and Papa on their little home rock in the middle of the water, but there were two other geese on the publicly accessed rock on the other side of the lake.
I went to check out the "new" geese first.
Of course the geese weren't really "new" at all. I am quite sure I have seen the two juveniles both, at Harlem Meer and the Boat Lake. (The female of the two has a white spot on the black portion of her face.) Both geese are very social with humans and immediately walk up people and both have the immature tendency to "nip" when taking treats from the hand. I suspect the two youngsters are probably among the geese who hatched at the South Pond last year or the Reservoir. They are no strangers to Central Park.
I could tell Mama and Papa were looking at the scene from across the lake and unsurprisingly took to the water and started swimming our way.
As always, Papa arrived first with Mama trailing behind. And no sooner did Papa climb the rock, then he immediately began to honk and assertively "scoot" the youngsters to the far side of the rock. "Over there, now, you young upstarts! Go on! -- NOW!"
The two young geese, apparently respecting their elders, obediently obliged without fuss or protest.
All was peaceful following the gentle coaxing and "correcting." Mama swooped seeds from my hand while her faithful mate watched and grabbed a few seeds for himself. The two youngsters took a position of relaxation and sentry duty atop the rock, a short and respectful distance from Mama and Papa.
Just when I thought things couldn't get any more peaceful and lovely, to my surprise, two other geese were swimming towards us from the south side of the lake.
But, as they drew closer, I suddenly saw a cluster of young goslings between them!
Oh my God, its a new family!!
I almost could not believe my eyes as the family began to embark the rock, the gander leading the way and immediately taking charge.
To my utter shock and surprise, Papa goose, along with Mama, respectfully deferred to the new family and slowly moved out of their way to the far side of the rock!
(I have never seen Papa goose defer or move away from any geese!)
But, apparently in the goose world, families with babies take priority and rein at the top of the hierarchy.
More surprisingly, the gander of the new family equally displayed respect towards Papa and Mama and made no moves to "chase" or intimidate them in any way.
But, he did honk and turn his head towards the two younger geese still at the top of the rock. The moves were apparently goose language to "stay away."
And once again, the youngsters obliged the goose in charge and made no moves from their position at least ten to fifteen feet away from the family.
And such a family it was!
As the gander had cleared the way and his "wife" and babies climbed the rock, there were six healthy goslings whose yellow feathers were already turning dark. The babies were at least a month old!
Where had they been all this time? Why had I never seen them until now?
The Boat Lake is actually the largest of the lakes in Central Park. It winds around the Ramble and ends at Bethesda Fountain. It is not possible to see all of the lake at one time.
I was aware that there were a few other geese at the south portion of the lake, but I had no idea of an actual family! As the goslings are larger and stronger now, the parents are apparently taking them farther on the lake.
And the entire family is well used to people. The gander even took seeds from my hand!
Apparently, the goslings were hatched at the south part of the lake, probably close to Bethesda Fountain area which is a huge tourist attraction.
It was absolutely rejuvenating and amazing to watch this fantastic turn of events last night!
Not just to realize the incredible resiliency of the geese against all the odds and hostile, destructive campaigns against them, but even more so, to witness the steadfast "family values," cultural structure and how the geese look after and protect each other.
By the time I left the Boat Lake last night (after almost an hour), all of the geese were peacefully settled in various stations of the rock. Mama and Papa stood together at the far left side, the two youngsters towards the middle and the new family, claiming most of the space nibbled at stray seeds along the entire right side of the rock formation. (Photos from last night below.)
I wondered if they would stay that way for the rest of the evening?
Finally walking home, I had sense of renewed hope.
Almost to defy the USDA, FAA, Port Authority and all the other agencies involved in the relentless and hideous slaughter of the geese a new family has prevailed and they have the blessings, support and protections of Mama and Papa and presumably all other geese in the area.
All for one and one for all.
It might be tempting to say all is well. But, of course we know that is not true.
But, I do believe the intelligence, steadfastness, loyalty, devotion and protection capabilities of these magnificent birds will out in the end.
And perhaps just to prove that point, there is this article today out of Canada.
Geese not only look out for their own, but also bequeath that generous and magnificent protection spirit to the young who are not even their own species -- in this case, mallard ducklings.
Today, I will again tackle the grotesque and lunatic fringe pages of the latest USDA "document of death" for the geese.
But, a part of me will be laughing inside, fully knowing that whatever torments of the damned that USDA "Wildlife (Extermination) Services" comes up with, the geese will always find a way to endure.
"USDA -- Stay Away from our Babies!"
Truth, purity, steadfastness and courage -- like the rain -- will out in the end. -- PCA
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