Brief Respite

Buster was right.

 

With the wild variances in temperature in New York City, all the geese and ducks had to do at Harlem Meer was work, work, work and wait out the storm.

 

In the past two days, temperatures have bounced from a bone-chilling 19 degrees

back up to the low 50's -- a thirty degree swing.

 

It was surprising Sunday night to find a large pool of open water at Harlem Meer considering the snow on Saturday and single digit wind chills through the early part of Sunday.

 

But, the geese and ducks had been working hard and consistently to prevent further icing of the lake.

 

That meant almost constant swimming, ducking and diving on the water and organizing into teams. -- Rest and eat for brief periods and swim for most of the time.

 

It seemed at no period was the available water not being moved and kept warm by geese and ducks seemingly working in shifts.

 

Meanwhile, apparently sensing a warm-up in temperature,  many of the migratory geese had returned to the Meer after a brief stopover at the Reservoir for a couple of days.

 

If the pool of open water is bigger this year despite radical temperature changes, there is little doubt that is mostly due to the large number of geese and ducks constantly working it.

 

I noted on Sunday night that the small area near the Dana Center where last year, Brad and a handful of ducks "worked" to keep a tiny (bath-tub size) pool of water open is this year, entirely frozen over.

 

The open water this year is almost Olympic size and located more to the middle and western portion of the lake. 

 

There are obviously many more birds to work it.

 

But, Brad, having experienced such adversity and challenge last year is not a duck this year to take anything for granted  (despite the warmer temperatures and many more birds to work the water).

 

Perhaps Brad knows that things can change on a dime and unlike Piggly, Wiggly and him, the geese and mallards can fly and take off if the lake entirely freezes or conditions become too precarious.   More than any other bird on the lake, Brad takes personal responsibility for maintaining open water as if it is written in stone.

 

Just like last winter, Brad quickly comes to me at night for several handfuls of sunflower seeds and then immediately returns to the "job" of constant swimming. (That was even true last night, though the temperature had boomed up to a spring-like 50 degrees.) 

 

Like last year too, Brad is however tolerant and understanding of the need of his flock mates for more food and greater rest.   I remember times last winter, when Joey and Angelina would take brief rests on the ice, Brad would relentlessly work the water.  ("Rest" is something that doesn't seem to exist in Brad's vocabulary -- at least in winter.)  This year, Brad returns to swimming while his flock mates, Piggly and Wiggly sometimes remain eating and then return to him later.   The three ducks seem to have an understanding and agreement on this.

 

Meanwhile, the geese apparently have their own leader in Buster -- the resident gander at Harlem Meer.

 

Depending on weather and conditions, Buster sometimes comes to me and sometimes not.

 

Last night he came seeking treat because it was so warm and there was no need to act as obsessive "drill sergeant" on the ice.

 

But, during the previous few nights, Buster remained on the edge of the ice, watched from a distance and called back the rest of the geese (and ducks) when it seemed they were taking too much time away from duties to eat.

 

"Drill sergeant" is the right term for Buster.

 

When he sends out the order honks, all the other birds listen and immediately respond.

 

Last night, when Buster had eaten his fill and returned back to the open water, the other geese obediently followed without even being ordered to.

 

It was funny to see them all walking back carefully on the ice.  (See photo)

 

Apparently, the geese learned quickly that gingerly walking and "skating" on the ice was a far more proficient means to deal with thin ice than by flying across and skidding on it -- which, in some cases, resulted in geese falling through it.

 

But, the geese seem to have the thin ice down to a science now:

 

"Walk softly and slide feet to test."

 

Perhaps Buster had instructed them on that, too.

 

Had I not felt the warmer temperature last night or heard it on the weather report, I would have known it just by the sight of the geese and ducks at Harlem Meer when first arriving.

 

Though some were lazily swimming around in the pool of open water, most were gathered and resting on the ice surrounding the pool.

 

Even the workaholic Brad was temporarily standing on the ice along with his pals, Piggy and Wiggly as if to say, "Ah, feel the warm, spring-like breeze!  We can at last relax for a few minutes."

 

But, when I left last night, Brad was once again back in the water with his two help mates.

 

"But, not to take anything for granted."   --PCA

 

 

 

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