One Step Closer to the Gates of Spring

To make the heart soar.

One day at a time and one step closer to the gates of spring.

 

Some people's hearts fill when romantically in love.

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Some people's hearts fill with religion, church and other social or spiritual gathering.

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Some people's hearts fill with the laughter of children.

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Some people's hearts fill with poetry, great paintings or music.

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The above are all wonderful and positive human experiences. But my heart particularly fills when seeing the geese and ducks -- most notably in flight, but anytime and in any way.

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Still, it hasn't been easy seeing the geese and mallards over the past month. Because what I am mostly seeing has been struggle, desperation and even death. But, I have also seen awe-inspiring forbearance and stoicism.  

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It's been a strange and at times, ironic experience because winter is normally my favorite season (by far) of the year -- especially in Central Park.  I love the peace and solitude of winter. I love the mystery and awe of the migratory birds who stay here during the deepest parts of the season. I even love the brisk, invigorating weather and the snow.

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But, this winter has been too much of a good thing. The bitter temperatures have been unrelenting with snow never getting chance to thaw, but rather building upon itself. The dense ice pack covering the running path at the CP Reservoir is so rock solid as to appear part of the landscape. One forgets that there was ever soft ground beneath it.

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As for the Reservoir itself, one forgets that it was ever water, as opposed to a frozen and unforgiving icescape -- a deathbed for some of the misfortunate.

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How hard have these few months been for the birds enduring what is described as the "third coldest winter in New York City?" 

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Ice covered grounds and watercourses cut off food availability. Starvation is never a pleasant prospect for any animal. And at least 8 of the birds have succumbed to the ravages of starvation at the Reservoir alone this past month. This particularly, has been painful to witness.  

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No, the weather in New York City has not been the nightmare that its been in Boston, Buffalo or around the Great Lakes. We (thankfully) did not get more than 100 inches of snow.

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We've just had the big and merciless chill. -- A chill and food shortage the birds were not prepared for in the mild winters that preceded the last two.

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"Wolfing it down" is a popular phrase to describe those who quickly eat food.

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But, it's hard to imagine any wolf eating more ravenously than what I have seen ducks and geese do over the past few months.  

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Any food tossed out is seemingly gone before it even hits the ice.

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"Ducking it down" seems the far more accurate phrase to describe fast -- or more precisely, urgent and necessary eating. The fast disappearing food sometimes makes me feel that I'm not doing enough to supplement the birds; that I am simply doing the bare minimum.

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And yet my heart fills when seeing them for I know it's another day that they have somehow and miraculously made it through. 

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Some people's hearts fill with romance and love dreams.

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Some people's spirits soar in thoughts of the after world.

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Some are warmed by the joy and antics of children.

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And some are moved by the wise words and creations of the great scholars and artists.

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All are great joys to the human soul.

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But, my heart and spirits soar when seeing my winged friends fly to me in enthusiastic fever. They welcome and graciously accept my gifts regardless of how pathetic and small.

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It is all simply to help get them through another day of icy winter and one step closer to the gates of spring -- where independence, romance and life anew impatiently await.  -- PCA

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