(Photo: Mama goose -- almost normal again.)
The only breezes caught last night in a still and hot New York City were those created by both Mama and Papa flapping their wings.
But, that was actually a good sign!
Moreover, one of their adult goslings actually flew from the rock into the water!
And though the "flight" was neither high nor long, it was sure sign that the geese will soon be flying and such will mean the end to this year's hideous goose roundups in NYC.
A couple of weeks ago, Mama's wings were a sorry mess, hanging loosely at her sides. It seemed an effort for Mama to actually hold her wings up. But, Mama's wings are looking more normal now and are in upright position. And several of the other geese are looking sleek, as if they soon will be ready to fly.
Of course what is true for some geese is not yet true for all.
While the goslings of Buster and Bonnie appear to be ready to fly, the parents are still a bit raggedy, as are most of the geese at the Reservoir.
But, my "guess" is that almost all of the geese will be capable of flying in about a week to ten days.
It cannot be soon enough both for their safety and the relief to so many of us who have been watching out for the geese and worried almost non-stop since the start of USDA roundups almost two weeks ago.
Last night was particularly pleasant.
I sat for almost two hours with Mama, Papa, their four adult goslings and the three "sibling" geese who now hang out routinely with Papa's family. (An "alliance of convenience.")
That number adds up to 9 -- the exact same number of geese who molted at the Boat Lake last year. (The same is true at the Reservoir which this year saw 15 geese sharing the water during the molt -- exactly the same number as last year.)
But, of course this year, there was also the "new family" of geese at the Boat Lake. -- Buster, Bonnie and their six goslings.
I didn't see the "family" last night, but that was not greatly surprising.
There was music, bongo drums and singing emanating from the area around Bow Bridge and I am guessing the family was there enjoying and taking advantage of the extra human activities.
In fact, when I first arrived at the Boat Lake last night, Papa's family was in the middle of the water not far from where the music was coming from.
Others can call me "crazy" but I would bet my non-existent home in Malibu that geese actually enjoy human music and other cultural activities.
They always seem to be where the action is.
Nevertheless, when I arrive to the Boat Lake and clap my hands, as long as Papa is able to see me, he always comes with Mama and the rest of the gang to greet.
As far as why Papa accepted into his clan, the other three (unrelated?) geese who showed up to the Boat Lake this year, I am guessing they are the same three that molted with Papa's family last year. Perhaps because geese feel vulnerable during the molt, they are willing to accept and join up with other geese for perceived safety. Additionally, by accepting other geese, it basically evens out the numbers in the two "families."
It was particularly interesting to notice that on Saturday night, both families of geese were on the rock, though Buster's family was on one side and Papa's group on the other.
"Strength in numbers" means that Papa is not forced to move off the rock just because Buster, Bonnie and the kids show up. Buster's family is comprised of 8 geese all together and Papa's gaggle is now 9.
Although there are still occasional territorial squabbles and obvious hierarchy, the even numbers mean that no geese are subjected to relentless bullying, intimidation and being overpowered.
It works out well for Papa and it works out well for the three sibling geese who, up until being accepted by Papa were pretty intimidated by Buster and almost never dared to come up on the rock by themselves.
Fascinating how geese -- like the ducks -- manage to "work things out" to their benefit and cooperate with others when necessary and convenient.
As for Buster and his prima donna "wife," Bonnie and their six wretchedly spoiled "brats", it works out better for them too in the long run.
Its more than past time that Buster learn he is not the high ruler of ALL the geese in Central Park!
In fact, I think another gander tried to deliver that message to Buster last winter at Harlem Meer.
Someone posted this video on YouTube of "geese fighting in Central Park" from last January.
The area is definitely Harlem Meer where Buster, Bonnie and about 80 migratory geese stayed over this past winter.
And I would bet that imaginary home in Malibu that one of the ganders in this video is Buster. (The other is probably a migratory gander who had "enough" of Buster's shenanigans and was only too happy to take him on.)
Buster still has the missing tufts of feathers along his chest as "reminders" of this and other battles. In fact, most ganders worth their salt bare similar testimonies -- one way of deciphering the ganders from female geese.. (Papa too, has them.)
And when they're not battling other ganders over territory or females, male geese who are also "fathers" constantly correct and train their young -- especially the males -- to take on things like "sentry duty" and also to keep respectable distance from the parents.
Last night, Papa "corrected" one of the younger geese who wandered too close to him and Mama. Took out a wad of down from the other goose and then held it in his mouth for a few seconds like a trophy!
Its really funny to observe these behaviors in the alpha ganders. Although peacocks are noted to be especially "proud," certainly there is nothing prouder than a gander who has successfully chased off another goose or "put him or her in his place."
Apparently, this is how hierarchy and duty are established in goose families and gaggles.
Its very interesting that these days, it is not Papa who is usually on "sentry duty" for the family, but one or two of his adult sons.
Meanwhile the girls mostly eat or hang out with Mama.
But, in another week or so, all the geese will be able to fly again.
And when that happens, all the battles, "alliances of convenience" and most of all, USDA roundups will end.
Something indeed to look forward too -- though I will miss these fascinating observance opportunities with the geese who are for a brief time, a "captured audience." -- PCA
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