Olympic Holiday and Boomerang Goose Families

(Photo:  Papa goose last night.  Carefully surveying and plotting how to push boomerang kids out of the nest again.) 

"Those ungrateful stinkers!"

I walked all around the Boat Lake yesterday.  Buster and his "bad family" are definitely gone.

They gave no indication of leaving last week, nor bothered to say, "good-bye."

They just packed up their wings and took off.

Though I was not around during the actual conversation between Buster and his "wife," Bonnie, I can well imagine it:

Buster:  "It's getting boring around here watching these human slackers in their rowboats. I am hankering for a little more action."

Bonnie:  "What do you mean, dear?"

Buster:  "I think we should go to Dorney Lake"

Bonnie:  "Dorney Lake?   Is that north of Harlem Meer?"

Buster:  "Well, its a little beyond that.  London, England, to be precise."

Bonnie:  "London?   You can't be serious!  What about the children?  They can't fly that kind of distance!"

Buster:  "These are MY kids you are talking about!  Are we raising a bunch of wimps? There is no such thing as 'We can't' in this family!  Woman, get a grip!"

Bonnie:  "You're right, dear.  Sorry. But, why London, England?   What will we eat there?  There is so much good food here."

Buster:  "They have grass, plants, bugs and human softies in England!  We will not go hungry.  I want to go because of the Olympics.  All kinds of rowing and boating events.  It will be a hoot. I want to be where the action is!   And besides, the kids will have a blast. Its their chance to see the world and enjoy some real athletics.  This boating over here is for pansies!"

Bonnie:  Well, when do we leave?  I have to prepare the children."

Buster:  " Tonight.  As soon as the sun sets. I don't want to miss the opening ceremonies. The
queen is suppose to jump from a helicopter.  That should be fun to see."

And so, Buster, Bonnie and the six kids took off last week for greater horizons and holiday adventures.

I could swear I saw them earlier today hovering around the boating competitions on TV.

Security was having a discussion.

"Hey, Joe, should we be worried about those 8 Canadian interlopers wandering around?"

"Ya mean those Canada geese?  Nah, they're all over the country.  Pests they are, for sure. But, since there's only 8, we don't need to call out the dogs.  Let 'em be.  More important things to fret over."

Meanwhile, Buster, Bonnie and the brats just found some accommodating tourists with lots of crackers and snacks.

"What did I tell you, Bonnie?  People are the same all over. No need to worry about food here!" Buster announces boastfully.  "Come on, kids. Time to turn on the charm.  Look needy, but friendly."

Back in the USA and specifically the Boat Lake in Central Park, Papa goose is realizing that the "bad family" has finally left and the time as come for him to start putting the nudges on his own family.

Last night, Papa took up sentry position, carefully surveying and scrutinizing his own situation and his young adult brood.

More than one of his flock members got some not-so-gentle pecks and nudges in the rear ends.

"Molting time is over!" said Papa assertively.  "You guys can fly now and it's time that you do.  The free meal tickets are over. Boomerang kids may exist in human families, but not geese!  You have to start making your own way again."

The "family reunion" thing seems to be wearing a bit thin now for Papa. The fact is,  he doesn't need the kids around anymore to defend against Buster and the brats.  He and Mama need their down time again.

It is not clear yet whether Papa's entire gaggle is actually ready to move on.  It appears two geese might have left already as last night there were only eight.  But, I fully expect over the next week or two that Papa will be issuing "flying papers" to the rest of the flock, though for the moment, "Ruffian," the new gander is still with them.

"Boomerang children" is not something tolerated indefinitely in goose families.

Like Buster, Papa's mental wheels are churning.

"The wife and I need a holiday."   -- PCA

                                                             


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