Love and Obstacles
Happy that at last we had a warm weather day, my lovely wife and I went for a walk in one of our favorite destinations, Brookside Gardens. This is a world class botanical garden which we are fortunate to live close to. We love to amble through the gardens taking in the sights and scents of the flora and fauna.
As we walked along the path towards nearby Pine Lake which often has a resident Belted Kingfisher plus Mallards, Hooded Mergansers and herons, we came to the gate that connects to a high fence designed to keep out deer who otherwise would dine in style on the vast and varied plants and trees.
We paused momentarily as we heard people coming through from the other side and then spotted a lone Canada Goose waiting patiently by the gate. The goose continued to wait until finally a small group of people on the other side open the gate to pass through. The patient goose proceeds leisurely through as if a doorman had been waiting for him. Now we’re intrigued.
We follow along behind the goose for several hundred yards and start to notice it has some problems with its left wing and its tail. They appear slightly damaged. The goose continues undaunted but things are not quite right. Like good bird detectives we put a “tail” on the goose.
Our suspect walks on toward the lake and we follow along behind. It strikes me that maybe the goose can’t fly since it marches on and on when flight would be the safer and quicker choice. Why walk when you can fly? Suddenly the goose gets more animated and starts waddling faster, honking as it goes. It calls out a very specific, single, loud, insistent honk. We now hear another goose on the opposite side of the lake responding in kind to each single honk. Is love in the air? They seem to be calling to one another, “I’m coming!” I’m on my way home!”
The call and response continues while the goose makes steady progress to the water’s edge where it breaks out running and flapping its wings. With a small burst of effort and a small bit of low flight the goose hits the water and starts paddling with great purpose, honking all the while. The geese continue to echo each other’s honks.
We search for the source of the responder and spot a single goose paddling out towards our “gate” goose. When they finally meet in the middle of the lake, they exchange neck rubs, circling each other before proceeding to join the rest of the clan. They paddle together as the rest of the flock starts swimming out to greet our intrepid Romeo and his mate.
We are thrilled at their reunion and the obstacles that a loving and determined goose can overcome to be with its mate. It’s said that love conquers all and in this case it honked true.
