Cement and Glass; Fake Trees and Plastic Grass -- A Perfect World!

"Lord, grant me the serenity to accept those things I cannot change.

 

The courage to change the things I can.

 

And the wisdom to know the difference."

 

That of course is the familiar prayer that is the mantra of A.A.

 

I am not an alcoholic, but found myself thinking of that prayer earlier this evening.

 

I realize I have little or no power to "change" the current,  irrational "war" on Canada geese.

 

The stakes are overwhelmingly against these birds, whether from government, politicians, "wildlife biologists," agencies, hunters, media and perhaps most disturbingly of all, the public.

 

Yes, there are scores of people who truly appreciate the geese and value them in our parks.

 

But, as A.G. of the USDA said to me two weeks ago,   "I am sure they care more about football games."

 

I have to concede that is probably true.

 

I remember a couple of years ago, two swans at Harlem Meer.

 

Everyone loved the swans.   All kinds of people -- men, women and children fed and photographed the beautiful swans constantly.

 

But, I recall feeling concerned for the female swan when noticing her looking lethargic and depressed on the lake over a couple of days.

 

Others told me at the time, "Don't worry.  She will be fine."

 

About a week later, she disappeared and I later found out from Park Rangers, they found her dead in the lake one day.   "Botulism" was what the autopsy later revealed.

 

Her mate, the male swan searched for her all over after she died -- even the empty Lasker swimming pool.  About two weeks later, he disappeared from the Meer in seeming despair over the loss of his mate.  He was never to be seen again.

 

But, certainly people loved the swans. -- Just apparently not enough to actually save one when she became ill.

 

It is somewhat like that for the geese.

 

Many people love them.  Just not enough to defend them and work to end their persecution and massacres.

 

Googling current articles on geese on a daily basis, it is stunning the number of pieces that malign and vilify the geese, sometimes blatantly and sometimes in more subtle manner.

 

For example today, there is this piece from public radio:

 

http://www.nhpr.org/canada-goose-20

 

Though actually a short and fairly factual and informative article, there is one sentence that likens the geese to a spreading disease:

 

"A combination of events led to the spreading of these resident geese."

 

Regardless of what the rest of the article says, this one sentence conjures up images of the plague.

 

Normally, I and a couple of other dedicated activists comment to articles that besmirch and demonize geese when possible, but this has become like a full time job, because the articles are so many.

 

And its not just the articles depicting geese as "pests,"  but most of the public comments.

 

Whatever people might actually care about the geese, they are strangely absent from most article comment sites.

 

But, those who hate geese are seemingly everywhere and extremely vile in their commentaries:  "Shoot 'em, cook 'em, gas 'em, send the immigrants back to Canada."

 

Yes, this cause is quite hopeless and I realize the seeming inability to change it.

 

Only, I don't feel very "serene" about that at all.

 

Walking home from Central Park last night after another disappointing experience of "no geese" at Harlem Meer, (though at least the ducks were back to their normal behavior) I thought about the future:

 

I don't believe the geese will be allowed to go extinct.

 

When it is finally realized how their population has been decimated, "wildlife biologists" and other "experts" will again arrange to "restore" the Canada goose population for the simple reason they are so prized by hunters and represent hunting revenues.

 

Short term restrictions will be placed on goose hunting or in worse case scenario, remaining geese will be captured, wings clipped, captively bred and later released to rural areas as hunting targets.

 

This is of course what was done in the last century when the geese tottered on the brink of extinction due to over-hunting and destruction of habitat.

 

But, of course wildlife biologists didn't figure on the geese's adaptability to urban areas and public parks, nor did they apparently figure that geese hatched in this country would have no instinct to "migrate" to places far north.

 

So, a "resident" population of Canada geese was established in this country.

 

A "resident" population that we now deem "nuisance, pests, invaders and airline terrorists."  A resident population that we need to "get rid of."

 

I believe that all the current harassment, hunting and extermination campaigns on resident Canada geese (i.e "war") will eventually be "successful and victorious"  and the birds will ultimately be, like in the last century, tottering on the brink of extinction.

 

(Our nation has a penchant for easily getting into wars, but not knowing how to get out of or end them.)

 

We will then return to "plan B" -- but this time with a difference.

 

In order to discourage geese from "residing" in public parks and golf courses, real grass can be replaced by fake, plastic grass (i.e. astro turf.)

 

That should go well with the rest of urban society with its cement buildings, concrete pavements and glass structures.

 

While we are at it, real trees can be replaced by fake, wind-proof and snow-proof trees.

 

Sometimes real trees kill people or damage homes. 

 

AG of USDA said he "would cut down all the trees" were it his decision to make, so perhaps we are not actually too far from this plan despite our Mayor's desire to "plant a million trees."

 

(Perhaps the next Mayor of NYC can chop all the trees down following the next human fatality.)

 

Meanwhile, the geese released to rural areas can be shot and hunted down almost as fast as they can breed.

 

Ah, such a perfect world!

 

The only question is, why is everyone then on "anti-depressants" or a myriad of other drugs and "medications" for mostly psychosomatic illnesses?  Why is everyone singing like the Ramones; "I Need to be Sedated."?

 

Ah, back to the special prayer from AA!

 

Lord, grant me the serenity to accept what I cannot change......"

 

Perhaps though that is the problem.

 

We are too "serene." 

 

Take your "serenity" and shove it.

 

Life was never about "serenity and happiness."

 

Its about fighting for what you believe is important and what is right.

 

Hopeless or not, the battles continue....... PCA

 

 

                                                 ******

 

 

"Pictures of Romeo" -- Not

(Photo:  A very skittish Brad last night at Harlem Meer with two equally spooked mallards.  Were the "ghosts" out?) 

 

Last night, when going to Harlem Meer, I brought my camera in hopes of capturing some portrait photos of Romeo.

 

But, immediately when arriving there, I knew the family of five geese and their particularly friendly, trusting yearling were gone.

 

I knew that because no ducks were gathered on the south embankment.

 

Heart sinking, I walked around peering into the blackened lake where all the mallards were huddled and scattered.

 

Eventually, the "regulars," having recognized me, made their way to the embankment, cautiously  beseeching some treats.

 

But, Brad, the Rouen domestic duck was not among them!

 

What's going on? Where is he? I wondered.

 

Moreover, the ducks who did come were as jumpy and nervous as jackrabbits on crack.

 

Any tiny move on my part sent them immediately exploding back to the water. Twice, they bolted back without anything at all going on.  There were no dogs or other humans around. I began to wonder if there were ghosts in the area spooking the mallards?

 

Depressed and bewildered by the scene before me, I decided to walk around the entire Meer to look for Brad.  

 

Though upset about the missing family of geese, I knew they were gone just by the behavior of the mallards. 

 

Unlike the previous few nights that the geese were present and almost all the ducks were boldly and brashly gathered alongside the goose family on the grassy southern bank, last night, the ducks were clustered and scattered in small groups mostly in the center of the water.  It was a quiet, almost  eerie scene.  Like an unmoving, still photograph -- only it was real life.

 

It seemed obvious something had likely occurred earlier in the day to upset and disrupt the mallards' normal balance.

 

Finally having traversed the entire Meer with no sighting of Brad, I began to seriously worry.  At the same time, however, one had to acknowledge that he could be somewhere in the middle of the lake where most of the ducks sat on the water like statues.

 

I returned with my two dogs back to the south bank.

 

Once again, a few nervous ducks made their way to me and I tossed whatever remained of the treats to them.

 

I began to hatch a plan for today.

 

Will have to return tomorrow in the daytime to look for Brad.....  If not here, then to make calls to inquire about goose harassment and what happened to domestic duck...... 

 

But, just at that moment, Brad finally showed up.

 

"Where have you been?  I have been searching all over and calling for you!"

 

Brad, of course gave no answer.   He simply approached me nervously and took a small handful of seed and then skittishly jumped back.

 

All the ducks were weird and spazzed out last night.

 

I kept feeling I was surrounded by malevolent ghosts that I could not see, but the ducks magically could.

 

It was no "duck party" last night.

 

Finally leaving the spooked Meer, my thoughts then turned to the (once again) missing geese.

 

Under normal circumstances, one might figure that Papa, Mama and the three yearlings might have decided to "pond hop" and look for some especially grassy park lawns to graze on.  (Its too early for them to migrate.)

 

But, as already noted repeatedly, nothing is "normal" these days.

 

It was of course possible that the family took off again to seek a "gathering" site for the geese.

 

But, in trying to figure logical reasons for the geese disappearing once again, the behavior of the ducks, including Brad, kept coming back to me.

 

Why had they been so spooked tonight?

 

Since I am not really a believer in "ghosts," I did not attribute the strange behavior to that.

 

It was more likely that "goose patrol harassment" had been set upon the geese either earlier in the evening or the early morning yesterday.

 

And that thought not only depressed, but infuriated me.

 

I am obviously at a point now of simply not trusting the leadership of Central Park and NYC to do the right thing and leave a pitiful family of Canada geese in the park alone.

 

Perhaps that is because we the animal and nature lovers of New York City have now been burned too many times.

 

Become too cozy and admiring of geese, you will soon have to deal with the reality of the birds either being rounded up and gassed, slaughtered or at the very minimum, harassed out of the park.

 

"There is nothing fair in this world.  There is nothing safe in this world.  And there's nothing pure and there's nothing sure in this world.    Is there something left in this world?   Start again!"   ("White Wedding," Billy Idol)

 

For me, the "something left" (and something actually pure) in this world was the geese.

 

But, we cannot tolerate and rather, seek to destroy them.

 

Over the past few days, I have considered joining up for a bit with the "Occupy Wall Street" crowd.

 

But, my grievances with government and those in power are not seemingly theirs.

 

I don't really care about whose getting more or whose getting less.  I don't care whose getting what and when.  I don't honestly care whose not getting theirs.

 

To me, life is not about "getting" or accumulation.

 

Its about appreciating what we have and preserving.

 

But, somehow we are not allowed even that -- the "little things" in life, so to speak.

 

I went to a park last night simply to get a photo of a goose.

 

But, it wasn't to be.

 

For me, the "something left" (and something pure) in this world is gone.

 

Where does one go to "protest" about that?  -- PCA

 

 

                                                        *********

 

Romance on the Wing

I knew before actually seeing them last night that the geese were still at Harlem Meer.

 

I knew that by the ducks.

 

The mallards were all gathered at the south bank of the lake.  -- Something usually witnessed only when the geese are there.

 

And of course, in the middle of the rather boisterous and free-wheeling flock of mallards, was the family of five geese standing like priests in the middle of a "Goth" convention or punk rock brigade.

 

The scene would have actually been quite comical, were it not in fact, so incongruous with what ideally should be happening now.  The family of five geese should be "gathering" with other geese this time of year in preparation for the fall migrations.

 

But, since there are no other resident geese in Central Park right now, the family is reduced to having to co-mingle with the rambunctious and rowdy mallards -- a species the geese would normally look down upon and occasionally scoot out of the way.

 

But, beggars cannot be choosers -- even the normally proud, self-sufficient  and dignified geese.

 

Upon recognizing my dogs and me, the mallards immediately pranced our way and the geese gently followed. 

 

After securing my dogs to a park bench, I first fed Brad, the domestic Rouen duck from my hand and tossed some treats to his mallard buddies.  The geese patiently waited, seemingly secure in the knowledge I would not neglect them.

 

But, after a while, Mama and the yearlings made their way to me, while Papa as always, kept his forever, watchful distance. 

 

One of the youngsters murmured a low "honk" to me that was barely audible.   I recognized this as the geese's way of greeting and saying, "hello."

 

In fact, this particular young gander trusts me so much as to put his face within inches of mine and even allows for some petting.  (I believe he is trying to "study" and figure me out as I do him.)

 

I am calling this goose, "Romeo" even though not sure that he is actually a "he." 

 

But, considering two of the youngsters are bigger than Mama (and even Papa) I am fairly confident of their sexes.  I wished that I had my camera with me as I would have been able to get such an excellent portrait of Romeo -- he was that close!

 

What sweet and endearing geese these are.   They never fail to delight and amaze with their trust, curiosity and gentleness.

 

But, the mallards were getting very loud and discontent by this time.  They let me know in short order, they were not happy in having to "wait." --  Indeed, they are not used to waiting at all!

 

And so, as usual, most of the treats went to them.

 

The geese come to me more as greeting and "study" than begging for food.

 

I just enjoy their soft tickling and swooshing on my hands. They are like little vacuum cleaners.  For their part, I think the geese like the hand-feeding too.  It saves them the trouble of having to pick seeds off the ground.

 

All of the food eventually gone, I sat on the bench with my dogs and once more enjoyed the "show" before me.  (Certainly far more entertaining than most of the repetitive and mundane junk on TV.)

 

Several mallard pairs were squabbling with each other, like duck versions of "The Honeymooners."  Then there were the two sets of mallard pairs arguing with each other -- like neighbors who don't particularly like each other. More than once, I have admonished the mallards with, "Come on, guys!  Can't we all just get along?"   But, I don't do that anymore unless things get particularly nasty.    I will never quite understand the mallard social order, as I don't understand their very varied language.  They just seem to talk incessantly and are never at loss for "words."  (A lot like humans.)

 

About that point, a young human couple walked around the curve with an off-leash dog bounding down the path.

 

All of the ducks and the three yearling geese immediately bolted for the water.

 

But, Mama and Papa goose stood closely by each other and did not move from the bank.

 

This both startled and concerned me as the running dog was a Pit bull mix.

 

But, the dog was chasing a ball and actually had little interest in the birds.

 

"Come on, Lexi!" the young woman mused, calling her playful dog away from the lake.  The couple and their dog moved on. 

 

Meanwhile, Mama and Papa goose had never budged an inch from their spot.  I found it extraordinary that they seemed to "know" the Pittie mix  was not a threat even though they have only been at the Meer a few days.

 

Do they always take such risks?  Or, do they just know things that the other birds and I don't?

 

The mallards slowly returned to the bank as did one of the yearling geese.

 

But, Papa gently shooed the youngster away.   "Come on, lad, begone with you for a little while!  Your mom and I need our time!"

 

It seemed Papa wanted to take advantage of a few moments alone with Mama.

 

I thought that incredibly romantic -- especially after all these years that the two geese have been a pair.

 

Romance apparently doesn't die among geese.

 

The young gander took up a sentry position some feet away from his parents, who grazed quietly together on the grass.

 

Romance in bloom even though it wasn't Valentine's Day.

 

Meanwhile, the two other yearlings remained nearby in the water, seeming to recognize their parents desire for some quiet time alone.

 

Even the "crazy" mallards gave the two romantic geese a little space for a change.   And, as if taking a cue from them, finally seemed to settle down themselves.

 

As I finally gathered my dogs to leave Harlem Meer, I could not help but marvel at the then beautiful and peaceful scene before me. 

 

Mama and Papa goose quietly grazing, side by side. 

 

And finally, most of the ducks gathered along the bank as similarly, quiet, romantic couples.

 

Its a strange alliance the geese and the ducks have together.  One that for the time being is born out of seeming necessity for the geese, but one beneficial as well to the mallards.

 

Its not often that one sees the mallards, "quiet, peaceful and romantic."

 

Romance on the wing.  

 

Thanks to the forever loving, staunchly loyal and romance of the Canada geese.  -- PCA

 

 

                                                           *******

 

"Flap and Prepare Your Wings; Winter Comes"

As temperatures dip, so do the numbers of joggers and cyclists in Central Park.

 

Though certainly not cold last night, temperatures fell to the high 40's for the first time in many months.  One might think this ideal weather for runners, but that is apparently not so. I have noted very surprisingly over the years that the hotter, more humid and miserable the weather, the more runners and cyclists sweating it out.  It is a mystery I will never quite understand.  The only times I like to run are when very cold and needing to warm up in a hurry.

 

I don't think I saw even a dozen runners or cyclists on the walk to the Harlem Meer last night.   The park was so quiet, it was almost eerie.

 

But, "quiet and eerie" were not the words to describe Harlem Meer!

 

On the contrary, things were literally hopping last night as once again, the mallards were seemingly in wild and high "party spirits" now that the family of five geese had, at least for the moment, returned to Harlem Meer.

 

At first, I was a bit nervous seeing only 4 geese swimming in a straight line on the lake.

 

Where was Mama?

 

I figured it was Twinkletoes who was the missing goose as she sometimes ventures off from the others for a bit or lags a little behind.

 

As such, I tried not to panic, but merely motioned to the four geese who immediately swam in my direction.

 

Once the four geese were on the embankment and nibbling from my hand, I finally saw Mama puttering along the lake.  She took her time joining the others.  But, when finally on the embankment, Mama nudged one of the yearlings aside, to partake of the treats in my hand. The youngster, like a good son (or daughter) obediently obliged.

 

It is apparent that neither Mama or Papa are young geese.  Other park goers informed me that the pair have been returning in the spring to Turtle Pond for some years.  They of course managed to raise a family of six goslings in the spring of 2010.  (In previous years and apparently this year, their eggs were oiled.)   And both geese show signs of wear and tear.   Papa walks with a pronounced limp on his left leg.   Mama apparently sustained some type of injury to her right foot this year and is missing some webbing, (thus the new name, "Twinkletoes").

 

Mama is smaller than the other geese and slightly darker in color. Her feathers often have a slightly "ruffled" appearance and her tail feathers seem to be doubled or split.

 

She has always been easily recognizable due to these distinctions, as Papa too is recognizable due to his limp.

 

The three remaining yearlings are however, another story.  All three look exactly the same, though at least two of them seem to share "sentry" duty on a regular basis with Papa.  I am guessing two of the three to be ganders, but that is only a guess.  Very hard to tell the "sex" differences in geese, (unlike mallards) although usually, the posturing of the male geese is "higher" than that of the females since they keep vigilant watch so much.

 

One of the things I so love and admire about Canada geese is how organized and devoted they are as mates and as a family.   Unlike mallards who usually appear willy nilly and scattered, the geese are always together and always "in tuned" with each other.  Even if one goose occasionally wanders a bit (like Mama), they always know where everyone is and can easily and quickly organize if need be.

 

Geese are so friendly and trusting, too -- at least when they know you.

 

One of the yearling's face was so close to mine last night, we almost touched noses!

 

As much as the ducks know, come to and even sometimes follow me, they are far too skittish and jumpy to allow for that kind of close contact.  Brad and one or two female mallards eat from my hand, but the slightest move sends them scattering.

 

Mallards are in fact, so different from geese in so many ways.

 

Last night, after feeding my "geesies" and tossing most of the food to the ducks, I sat on a park bench with my dogs and simply observed the "show."

 

I don't know what exactly it is, but whenever geese are present, the ducks become far more emboldened and act, for the most part, like drunk sailors.

 

There is the chasing, running around and LOUD squawking -- especially from the females. There is the endless, mile-a-minute chattering like politicians in heated debate.  Some mallards even go nose to nose with each other!   In fact, the antics of the mallards are so crazy and out of control, Brad usually has his fill after a while and takes to the water -- as he did last night.  "OK, I've had enough of this nutziness....."

 

Meanwhile, the geese -- always dignified, regal and self-contained -- looked at the mallards last night as if to say, "Oh, God, what did we get ourselves in to?  Where are the other geese who are supposed to be here?"

 

And it is the latter question, that despite all the new found joy in seeing the Turtle Pond goose family once again, has me most concerned for them and even question if they will elect to stay at Harlem Meer.

 

Where are the other geese?

 

When the Turtle Pond family arrived to Harlem Meer last month, there is no doubt in my mind, that was for the express purpose of "gathering" with other geese prior to fall migrations. 

 

But, there weren't any geese for them to meet and gather with.

 

The next day, the family was gone.

 

Though its possible they were chased away from the Meer by the goose harassment program, I think it more likely they left on their own to seek what whatever new "staging" site there was for the geese.

 

Does the fact that the goose family returned again to Harlem Meer a month later mean they were unable to find any new "gathering" places for the geese in or near Central Park?

 

That is actually what I think it means putting aside all spiritual aspects of the question and focusing on cold facts and pragmatism alone.

 

If that be the case, then it is not good news at all for either the family from Turtle Pond or the species as a whole.

 

If unable to find the other geese they usually migrated with before winter, that means the family will be forced to migrate as only five geese.  If flying out of the city prior to watercourses freezing over, the family would then be easy targets for hunters.

 

Other considerations would be breeding patterns in the spring, hoping and presuming the geese survive the winter.

 

As noted, Mama and Papa are older geese now and their eggs are usually oiled at Turtle Pond.

 

But, the (now) yearlings wouldn't have other geese to pair up with come the spring.

 

Resident Canada geese usually pair up and start to reproduce at about two years of age.

 

I don't know what will happen of course. But, I am concerned that after all this time, the family has apparently not found the other geese they would normally "gather" and organize with this time of year.

 

Will they continue to seek?  Or, will they simply elect to try and stay at the Meer until time to leave for warmer region?

 

It is ultimately "Papa" who will decide that question (hoping and praying that CP doesn't chase the family out.)

 

So far, Papa has been extremely diligent and wise in protecting his mate and family and seemingly making all the smart decisions.

 

But, he has never had to deal with such a hostile and relentless campaign by humans to "eradicate" his species from our city parks and decimate them all over the country.

 

I realize I can be accused of "anthropomorphism" again in saying that this family of five geese understands well the pressure it is under and appears to be worried and concerned.

 

Nothing is "normal" these days and no one knows that better than this family of five geese who hang tightly together for mere survival.

 

I truly hate what our species has done to them.

 

While the mallards, for the time being, don't have to worry about these issues and can afford to act like "drunk sailors," in Central Park, the geese cannot afford any silly antics and have to be forever serious, solemn  and on alert. 

 

Yes, indeed, there are marked differences between the two species of waterfowl, the biggest one being that one species (the mallards) is for the moment, "safe" and the other (the geese) is not.

 

I finally gathered my dogs last night and began to leave Harlem Meer.

 

Brad (having returned back to the embankment) and his care-free duck friends started to follow me for a bit as if demanding I had any more food left.

 

But, the five geese remained standing stoically on the embankment as if considering the future and their plight.   Three of them, including Mama, flapped and stretched their glorious wings as if realizing they will soon need to move again.........

 

Walking back home through the park, there was nary a jogger or cyclist to be seen and there was a decided nip in the air.

 

The fall migrations are not far away, nor the unyielding winter behind it.

 

Stretch and flap your wings, fond family of geese.  You will soon need them. May God forever be with you. -- PCA

 

 

                                                             *********

 

The Color, the Music and the Light

(Photo:  The "family" returned to Harlem Meer this morning.)

 

"The darkest hour is always just before the dawn."

 

There is truth to this old adage.   I discovered that when going with my dogs to Central Park before dawn this morning.  Though usually going to the park at night, I have never seen it so dark and seemingly foreboding as it is the last hour before the dawn.

 

There was a reason for going to the park that early.  But, more about that later.......

 

I am not a particularly spiritual or religious person. On the contrary, I am usually "anti-" established and organized religion and am a firm believer in the separation of church and state.   Though raised Catholic, I haven't been to Confession in decades or stepped inside a church for at least 6 or 7 years.  That however, is not to say I don't believe in God...

 

I believe that God exists.  Not as some old white man with long hair and a beard.  But, as the spirit and the force of all things good and all things possible.  God is conscience and God is hope.  

 

But, most of all, God is the light....

 

It was raining sporadically when heading to Central Park yesterday about an hour before sunset.  I figured correctly that the rain would discourage the normally large crowds in the park on a fall Sunday afternoon.

 

I like rain. There is something cleansing, peaceful and refreshing about it. There is to me, the sense of renewal.

 

Robins were flying around the quiet North Meadow in seemingly celebratory, playful fashion. I was happy to see the robins again.  Many of them start to leave the park this time of year, presumably to migrate to warmer places for winter. But, the rain or perhaps the absence of crowds seemed to bring many of them cheerfully out yesterday.

 

But, if I was pleased and surprised to see a fairly large group of robins at the North Meadow, the best was yet to come....

 

Arriving to a very quiet Harlem Meer, it was pleasing to see a young man squatting down to take photos of friendly mallards with his cell phone. 

 

Looking across the lake, I could see groups of mallards swimming lazily in the mist.

 

But, there was something more.....

 

Could it be?   Is it really?   Could those be.....GEESE?

 

Hurriedly walking to get a better look, it soon became obvious there were five geese swimming on the lake.

 

Perhaps AG was right.  The migratory geese are starting to arrive!

 

But, these were not migratory geese.

 

As soon as they saw my dogs and me, the five geese began to swim confidently in our direction.

 

It's the family of five geese originally from Turtle Pond!

 

Securing my dogs to a park bench, I knew it was the family long before they actually arrived and climbed the embankment.   I could then immediately recognize Papa goose with his lame left foot and Mama (AKA "Twikletoes") with the missing webbing on one of her feet.

 

"Oh my God, where have you guys been?  It is soooo good to see you again!"

 

The three yearlings immediately came to me and started to eat enthusiastically from my hand. Papa hung back a little (as he usually does) and Mama slowly made her way towards me.   She too, gently nibbled from my hand.  "Ah, Twinkletoes.......you are so beautiful and so sweet!"

 

Papa never did eat from my hand.  Rather, he held "sentry duty" as the others ate.  After a short while however, he began to nibble seeds from the ground that I tossed to him and two of the yearlings took over the sentry watch with heads held high in the air, diligently and dutifully watching out for any possible threats.

 

It is beyond description to accurate describe the thrill I felt upon seeing this wondrous and mysterious family once again.  Like some sort of "sign" from the heavens.

 

Mallards quickly joined the scene, grabbing seeds from the ground and I couldn't help thinking of what NY state Director of USDA "Wildlife Services," Martin Lowney once said about mallards.  "They are freeloaders."

 

"Freeloaders," indeed.   Although I had brought a decent supply of cracked corn, sunflower seeds, a little cat chow and small bits of bread (as their favorite treat), it was all soon gone.

 

By the time, Brad (the domestic, flightless duck) finally arrived, I had no food left.

 

"I am so sorry, Brad......I will be back early tomorrow. I hope you can understand and forgive."

 

For his part, Brad appeared a bit confused, but not all that much put out.

 

"Yeah, I know how you are about the geese. -- As if we didn't have enough crazy mallards here already!"

 

By this time, the rain had started to fall much heavier and I had to pull the hood of my rain jacket over my head.

 

The geese had gathered together on the embankment and appeared like they might settle down for the evening, the yearlings still holding diligent sentry duty.

 

But, as happy and serene as the scene was, I knew I would have to return early in the morning.   Not just to keep a promise to Brad, but to also check if "harassment" (i.e. Border Collies) would be sent out after the geese.

 

As I turned to leave with my dogs, Tina and Chance, all five geese looked at me with dignity as if to say, "Yes, nice to see you again.....safe trip home!"

 

And so this was the reason, I left home almost a full hour before dawn this morning...

 

I didn't know what to expect when arriving to the Meer, still cloaked in darkness as the first hints of light began to etch across the sky. 

 

Would the geese still be there?

 

Thinking back on the dream-like night before, I recalled several of the geese looking across the lake as if wondering where all the other geese were?

 

Harlem Meer is normally a "staging or gathering" site for the geese this time of year.

 

The "family" had returned several weeks ago, but were gone the next day.

 

I could not figure out at the time if they were chased out by harassment or if they left on their own accord to seek out the new "gathering" point for the geese prior to fall migrations.

 

Had they returned again to the Meer with the hope that other geese had finally arrived?

 

Were that the case, they would have to leave again because there are no other geese at Harlem Meer this year.  The human powers that be saw to that.

 

I was not at the Meer more than five minutes this morning when quickly spotting the geese swimming peacefully in the lake.   And, as the night before, they immediately swam towards me in recognition and greeting.

 

But, with the sun then coming up and early morning joggers and off-leash dogs already running around the Meer, the geese elected to stay safely in the water, coming cautiously to the edge.  I squatted down and fed Mama and one of the yearlings from my hand. 

 

Once again, the mallards, including Brad this time, quickly made their way to the treat despot and helped themselves to grabbing breakfast away from the geese.

 

Not particularly perturbed, the geese moved on seemingly having come to me more as greeting than any real need for food.  The mallards climbed the embankment and cleaned up the seeds and chow.

 

Having brought my camera with me, I moved to where the geese were gently preening in the lake and snapped some photos.

 

"Beautiful!" came a comment from a passing jogger while looking towards the peaceful geese.   "Yes, they are," I replied cheerfully.  "It is so good to see them back."  The jogger smiled and continued on his way.......

 

All the treats gone and all the birds seemingly happy and for the moment, content and undisturbed, I anticipated that the geese were "safe" for the morning and that I could begin the journey home with my dogs.

 

Walking up a hill away from the Meer, I glanced down to see at least three of the Turtle Pond goose family looking up in my direction as if to bid a good day.

 

"God, I love these geese!"

 

The morning had evolved into one that was crisp, beautiful, colorful and bright.  Early morning joggers then whizzed along the north park drive.

 

But, none of it could match the joy and elation in my soul.

 

Although I had inserted a rock tape in my Walkman yesterday morning, I had a habit when recording them, of sometimes mixing up different types of music.

 

And even though it was only the early days of October, I was suddenly hearing a Christmas carol performed instrumentally.

 

"Angles we can hear on high.....singing out a lullyby.........Gloria,,,,,,Gloria......."

 

At that moment, a few large birds flew high overhead coming from the direction of the Meer, but I could not tell if they were geese.....Tears of joy welled in my eyes.

 

And I thought to myself that in all the horror, hopelessness and carnage of the past year, God looked out for and protected my special and so beloved family of geese from Turtle Pond.

 

For those who doubt the existence or the "proof" of God, there are the unmistakable signs He sometimes shows to us.

 

Will I see "my" special geese again?

 

I don't know.

 

They may only be a sign; the proof that hope exists.

 

"The darkest hour is always just before the dawn."

 

If God is anything of recognizable form, He is the light.

 

And the special family of geese, His symbol of that light and hope -- even during the darkest hours.  -- PCA

 

 

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"You Are Killing All Our Geese!" ("Class Warfare?")

Although this journal is focused on our city's irrational and diabolically cruel war on resident Canada geese still surviving in city parks, the bureaucratic actions are actually symbolic of many  things gone wrong in government and culture.  It seems the average citizen "on the street" has very little say or influence these days in terms of governmental policies and more often than not, is kept in the dark or even lied to.

 

Certainly that has been true regarding the killings of the geese.

 

In almost all cases, the roundups and slaughters are planned in bureaucratic secrecy and conducted with little or no "community notification" or input.   They are often carried out in the wee hours of the mornings to avoid possible eyewitness accounts or media coverage.

 

Those people visiting parks and suddenly noticing that all the geese are gone usually attribute the disappearances to natural phenomenon such as migration or "pond hopping." 

 

We don't like to think that our city or government would engage in senseless and barbaric programs of mass destruction of park wildlife or that the parks themselves would be party to such eradication and banishment campaigns.

 

But, even in those cases where the media covers the story and people are aroused to protest, such protests usually fall on deaf ears.

 

Last year, for example, (thanks to a tip from alert park-goers) the NY Times covered the Prospect Park goose gassings, as did other media outlets.

 

More than a thousand people responded with comments to several Times articles, more than 600 signed up with a special FB page set up to defend the geese and several well attended rallies and demonstrations were held around NYC to protest the slaughters and advocate for the geese.

 

But, all of that did not stop further goose roundups from occurring this year -- even though it is quite clear that the NYC goose population has already been decimated from the killings that have been occurring throughout the last decade.

 

The only things that actually "changed" this year were the manner in which the geese were killed,   (They were sent to a Pennsylvania slaughterhouse this year in what clearly was a "PR" move designed to convince the public the geese were being "donated for charity.") and they were not rounded up from Prospect Park.

 

While it could be interpreted as a small victory that geese were not rounded up from Prospect Park this year, the fact is that there were few geese to actually kill from the park (less than 30) and there were political considerations, such as a new PP Director (Emily Lloyd) who didn't need to be greeted with bad PR her first year on the job. One could also make the argument that Prospect Park is more than 7 miles from the nearest airport, but that did not stop the city and USDA from killing the geese there last year.

 

The bottom line is that "public protest" had very little or even no effect on the city and government plans to virtually wipe out or make every resident goose still surviving in NYC "disappear."

 

But, we are beginning to reach a point where many citizens are becoming disgusted with governmental policies that perpetually disregard and disrespect the will and desires of the people.

 

Thousands of citizens are now camping out in streets and walking across bridges to make that disgust known.

 

I am of course referring to the "Occupy Wall Street" rallies that have been happening for the past several weeks and for the most part, attracted very scant media coverage until now.

 

The rallies are not about geese of course.

 

 I am not actually sure if the rallies have a particular focus or rather, represent a wide-sweeping and general unhappiness and malaise with government policies that favor corporate and special interests over the needs and wants of the average citizen and even the planet itself.

 

As noted, media has given very short shrift to the rallies and the issues being protested (as it gave little or no coverage to the rallies for the geese) so it is difficult to discern the actual specifics and goals of the protesters.

 

But, media does cover when people get arrested.

 

Yesterday, more than 700 protesters were arrested for crossing the Brooklyn Bridge, apparently spilling over to the vehicular side of the bridge.  (Vehicular traffic had to be shut down for several hours.)

 

According to many of the arrested protesters, police encouraged and even escorted marchers as they spilled over to the car portion of the bridge -- only to then surround them with the orange netting (that we are so familiar with in goose roundups), zip-tie and arrest them for trespassing.

 

I was not obviously at the rally so cannot speak to specifics.

 

It is interesting however, that some of the same equipment used to "corral" and entrap geese is also used to "corral" and prevent people from escaping.

 

That is a little scary.

 

Later reports indicate that the arrested protesters were ticketed and released.  The tactics and arrests were probably done more to intimidate than anything else.

 

But, even that is scary.

 

Should the right to free speech and protest be something to be "intimidated" and thwarted as opposed to being encouraged in a democracy?

 

For those otherwise law-abiding, young people attempting to legally speak out for needed or desired changes and reforms in government, should "arrest" be something on their records?

 

One understands it is the job of the police to maintain law and order. And a busy city needs to be able to keep running, despite any protests.

 

But, it also should be the job of the police to let protesters know the bounds before possible arrests could occur.

 

It doesn't seem that many of the people arrested actually were aware that such could occur and that seems to represent a breakdown in communications or something perhaps more foreboding and sinister somewhere along the line.

 

A couple of weeks ago, our Mayor Bloomberg warned of possible "riots" in New York City due to peoples' frustrations with lack of jobs, the economy and other issues.  At the time I wondered if the mayor was just being paranoid and "over-reactive" as he seems to be about almost everything else -- especially the geese.

 

But, now I am not so sure.

 

I just don't think our Mayor has any clue on what people are actually pissed off about.

 

We have, after all, had bad economy before and high unemployment and people don't usually "riot" in the streets.

 

What does tick people off however, is when we make attempts to participate in government, communicate, obey the laws and when necessary, legally protest and we are neither listened to or worse, lied to or even threatened with arrest.  Those kinds of things could ultimately result in "riots" in the streets.

 

This is supposed to be government by the people and for the people.

 

But, too often it has become government by and for special interests, lobbyists, billionaires, and corporations.

 

The "will" of the people doesn't seem to matter much anymore.

 

Returning to the issue of the geese, most often they are rounded up and killed, not because of representing any actual "threat" to airliners, but more truthfully because they pose an "inconvenience" to golf courses or rich boaters or lake front property owners.

 

And if it is a contest of wills between a rich boater and a nature lover, the rich boater always wins.

 

Those are the kinds of things that inspire a kind of "class warfare" and people taking to the streets to protest or even in our Mayor's hyperbole, "riot."

 

The economy actually has little to do with it.

 

Were I "rioting" in the streets today, I would simply hold up a sign in front of our Mayor's townhouse, decrying, "You Are Killing All Our Geese!"

 

He just wouldn't "get" it -- and probably never will.   -- PCA

 

 

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PS -- Although petitions cannot be claimed to have much influence over political decision-making, we still attempt to persuade through legal (and idealistic) channels.  Colleagues recently put this online petition together for the geese.  Please sign and share with others.  We would like to reach the goal of 4,000 as soon as possible:

 

https://www.change.org/petitions/mayor-bloomberg-end-the-war-on-nycs-canada-geese?utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=share_petition&utm_term=own_wall

 

 

 

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"Once Upon a Time"

"Don't worry.  In another week or two, there will be plenty of geese."

 

Those reassuring words came earlier in the week from AG of the USDA.

 

But, there are still no geese in Central Park weeks after the last six were chased out from Harlem Meer by a goose harassment company.

 

Of course one needs to take any assurances from the USDA with a barrel of salt enough to choke a horse.   We are fast learning that.

 

I was told in the same conversation with AG that a "goose" struck a plane last week.  But, surely had that been the case, then the President, Governor and especially our "doombird" Mayor would have called out the National Guard, Homeland Security, the Navy Seals, FBI, CIA and drones to annihilate every last goose in the city.  It would have also been front page news as in recent years, Canada geese have become the favorite whipping boy of the media -- far more than murderers, rapists or even Al-Queda.

 

But, if one is dismayed with over-inflated promises, exaggerations, euphemisms and unsubstantiated accusations, one becomes livid with actual, boldfaced lies.

 

When expressing my concerns about the suffering of the 575 geese rounded up from city parks and properties this summer and crammed 5 to 6 to turkey crates in 80+ degree heat for transport to another state, both AG and Lee Humberg of the USDA assured me that the "processing plant" the geese were sent to was "only two hours away from New York City."  ("Undoubtedly, there was some stress, but......."  AG added.)

 

Well, all indications are that the "two-hour" distance claim of the slaughterhouse from NYC was a bold faced lie.

 

Through the inquiries of a Pennsylvania Congressman, we have learned that the meat processing plant NYC geese were actually sent to is located 387 miles from New York City (New Kingstown, PA) and is almost 4 hours away.   

 

That means that these families of doomed geese and their tiny goslings were forced to endure many hours on end of crowding, heat, terror and stress between roundups in different locations, tight packing in crates and the ultimate 4 hour journey to their deaths.

 

"Suffering" doesn't even begin to cover it. 

 

That the once beautiful and regal geese were made to suffer in this egregious manner and for this length of time for the sake of a cheap PR stunt ("donation to PA food banks") represents the depths that human morality, character and consciousness can stoop to.

 

These 575 tortured geese (most of whom weighed close to ten pounds) yielded "424 lbs" of goose meat (less than one pound per bird) most of which is likely to ultimately rot in freezers as few people, no matter how "desperate" want it.

 

It is not clear yet whose brainstorm it was to send the geese on this hell journey for the sake of media spin although Farrell Sklerov of the DEP is the person who so blithely announced the (diabolical) plan to the media earlier this spring.  With so many hands in the toxic pie, it is not easy to attribute full responsibility for decisions made.  But, every actor plays his/her part, from those hatching the plans to those carrying them out to those "spinning" to the press, lawmakers and the public.

 

All I know is the geese are now entirely gone from my local park and I cannot lie to myself anymore that such is due to any natural phenomenon or occurrence.

 

Last night, while sitting on a park bench enjoying the antics of my duck friends at Harlem Meer, I found myself worrying for them, too.  When would our "officials and experts" sitting behind desks somewhere declare the mallards a "pest" species, like the geese?  When would they launch character assassination, propaganda and destruction campaigns on ducks as they have geese?  Surely, it is just a matter of time......

 

But, as much as I love the whimsical and lively ducks, they still are not the geese whom I so greatly cherish and miss.

 

Central Park without geese is like sound without music and life without color.

 

One likes a good black and white movie now and again.  But, one can't wait to get back to color.

 

Right now, Central Park, beautiful as it may be is to me, without color and without music.

 

That sounds strange to say, considering there was a big music concert in Central Park last night.

 

Walking back from Harlem Meer and around the Reservoir, loud booms and cheers could be heard emanating from the Great Lawn from a Black-Eyed Peas concert.  It was so loud as to almost drown out the music coming through my stereo headphones.

 

But, not quite.....

 

I was listening to a tape of instrumental versions of rock and show tunes -- "elevator music" --as it is commonly known.

 

A song came on that I recall from some Broadway show, but I don't know which one. Nor do I know the lyrics of the particular piece.  But, I recognized the title.

 

"Once Upon a Time."

 

And suddenly, from seemingly nowhere, and mixing with the then falling rain, tears streamed down my face.

 

Once upon a time there were beautiful, majestic, funny, brave and gentle geese here.

 

They did not leave. They did not migrate. They did not leave of wing for more exciting or magical places to visit.

 

Rather, we destroyed them.   We destroyed color, music and all that was beautiful and peaceful in this place.

 

Loud booms, voices and cheers continued through the falling rain. 

 

But, "Once upon a time" is no more.   -- PCA

 

 

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