Over time, I’ve greatly admired the geese who fly over our farm in significant numbers in the late Fall and early Spring. Nothing stops them or slows them down. They fly in almost perfect formation through wind, rain, snow, and ice storms.
They are considered pests in some places but are an essential part of the landscape up here.
Their song is an elegant backdrop to our lives here. I love how they signal one another to land, change direction, or switch leadership positions. They are a testament to the fantastic adaptability and evolution of nature.
When a geese tires, it will fall back behind a stronger bird which will cut off the wind and make flying easier for those behind.
Geese will travel up to 3,000 miles during the winter if they can’t find open water, returning to their birthplace in the spring. Canada geese can travel 1,500 miles in a day if the weather permits.
Looking closely, I can spot when they switch positions and decide to land and rest. Some will stay and nest.
A large flock rests on a pasture just down the road for a few days. I come by to see them every morning.
Of course, we are destroying many of their habitats, and temperature changes are confusing and endangering them.
One day we will miss them if we don’t start paying more attention. I am grateful for their presence and hope I don’t live long enough to see them gone.
The geese are fierce protectors of one another. In packs, very few predators will think to bother them. If they do, they will have a fight on their hands. Geese use their powerful wings as clubs, which some of my dogs have learned if they dare to go by their nests.
One pair nests in our pond yearly, and the dogs have learned to stay clear of them. After their babies emerge, they fly away to find a more permanent place.
As soon as we wake up and let the dogs out, the sheep and the donkeys gather by the gate and plead with us to feed them through soft brays and baaaahing. It’s a morning ritual that I have come to treasure.
I’m off to Saratoga Springs now. I’m going to see a doctor about a toe.
I loved sharing this piece with my fifth-graders, during my teaching days:
“When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone — and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird in front. If we have as much sense as a goose, we will stay in formation with those people who are headed the same way we are.” Author unknown.
And, good luck with the toe appointment.
Lovely – thanks for sharing!
Here in New Mexico we see Sandhill Cranes feeding alongside the Canada geese. Always a beautiful sight. The Rio Grande isn’t that grand these days, but still an important waterway for the migrating birds.
Thanks for the post and the photos.
lovely geese photos! Yes….they are always a welcomed (if rare here in these parts) sight. Love to hear them before I see them! Their honking is spectacular. I’ve never seen such a huge flock on the ground at one time here. Good luck with your toe decision…….you will do what is right for you and move on. Another positive *step* in your life………
Susan M