(Photos: 1-- Mama goose at the Boat Lake yesterday. 2-- Mama eating while Papa stands in background to protect. Mama and son or daughter sharing meal.)
It's been a while since seeing my favorite goose family. "Papa, Mama" and their three grown goslings who were hatched at Turtle Pond in the spring of 2010.
Partly due to the desire to find the TP family again and partly to check on the goose situation in other areas of Central Park (during this time of early spring migrations), I decided yesterday to check out the Reservoir, Turtle Pond and the Boat Lake -- the latter being the place the Turtle Pond goose family has spent most of the past year.
Several skeins of geese were observed flying north over the Great Lawn in Central Park and seemingly towards the Jackie Onassis Reservoir.
However, I did not see any geese actually resting on the Reservoir nor at Turtle Pond.
Perhaps the flying and presumably migratory geese were just passing over the park on their journeys back to their birth places.
Moving on to the Boat Lake, I was however, in for a dramatic surprise.
There were numerous families and groups of geese swimming in various parts of the lake.
Pleased on seeing so many happy, healthy geese, I was also a little disappointed figuring that it would be impossible to recognize the special family of five geese among so many.
Nevertheless, I ventured over to the set of rocks on the west side of the lake where many people stop to scenic gaze, rest or enjoy the geese and ducks. That is the area where I have most commonly seen the TP goose family as they are very social geese and extremely acclimated to people.
There was a gaggle of geese at one end of the rocks lazing around near the edge of the water.
But, not recognizing me, the group slowly swam away as I approached. Obviously not, "the family."
Snapping a couple of photos and preparing in my mind to leave and head north to Harlem Meer, I then noticed another group of geese at the other end of the rocks.
One of them standing at the edge of the water appeared to be older and a bit more "been through the mill" than the other geese.
Could it be? I wondered. Could that be Mama? (aka "Twinkle Toes" due to missing webbing in her right foot.)
As I approached the goose gaggle, I then noticed the goose directly behind the one in question. He walked towards the edge of the lake with a pronounced limp.
It was Papa goose!
Seeming to remember me, Papa walked up and took a few pumpkin seeds from my hand. But, then he stepped back in the water almost as if to order me to instead disperse the seeds to his mate.
I immediately offered the seeds to the smaller goose at the edge of the water. She moved forward and it was then I noticed the missing webbing in her right foot. No doubt about it then:
She was Mama!
I gave some seeds to Mama from my hand and put several handfuls directly in front of her in the sand where she gratefully scooped them up.
Papa then went into full protection mode as other geese began approach to curiously investigate what was happening.
Suddenly the scene became similar to what I am used to seeing at Harlem Meer when "Buster" admonishes and goes after any geese that venture onto his and his gaggle's space.
Chasing, pecking, feathers flying!
After chasing away the other geese, Papa rose up in the water, powerfully flapping his huge wings as if to announce to all, that despite the many geese on the lake, Papa was still "king!"
Papa may be an "old gander," but he is not without his druthers and fierce protective spirit!
The only geese allowed within five feet of Mama (who was still eating) were the pair's own three goslings from almost two years ago. But, even they Papa kept somewhat at bay. It was obvious he wanted his mate to get most of the food -- although one of the youngsters did get to share a little with her.
It was amazing and thrilling to see my old friends once again.
It is of course, the Turtle Pond goose family who inspired and generated my interest in and love for Canada geese.
They are very special animals. Long time resident geese of Central Park, I was told by another bird lover in 2010 that this pair had been returning every spring to Turtle Pond for "a number of years." Usually their eggs had been oiled in the past, but in 2010, they hatched.
Two years later, the family is still together -- although Papa already seems to be making moves to push the youngsters away in preparation for the mating season.
I believe that is part of the behavior I also see from Buster at Harlem Meer towards what might presumably be his and Brianna's goslings from a past year.
To the casual observer such pushy and seemingly "aggressive" behavior might seem cruel and belligerent at times, but it is all part of nature.
Even human parents have to prepare their young to eventually be on their own. "Pushing out of the nest" is part of that.
Finally leaving the boat lake, I was once again in awe of the protective nature, chivalry and extreme devotion of Canada geese towards their mates, offspring and gaggles.
I wondered how many human husbands would give up a good meal for the sake of their wives?
Probably some no doubt. But, most human husbands expect meals on the table from their mates.
Chivalry however, reigns supreme in Canada geese.
(What most women wouldn't give to find a man like Papa goose who would, not only open doors for them, but lay his life down on the entrance and fork over his meals in the process!)
For birds who are so vilified by humans, there is actually so much we can learn from Canada geese -- and so many qualities to emulate.
Chivalry, protection and devotion being prime among them.
On that note, I close out this blog entry with a quote from a Demoines Register article published yesterday. (http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20120218/NEWS/302180044/Iowa-s-newest-snowbirds-making-a-mess-of-things?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews):
"During the fall hunting season, geese are pushed into cities in higher numbers to avoid the rural cornfields where hunting is permitted, Zenner said. They migrate in family groups, and the habits of using city ponds for shelter are passed down through each generation."
Perhaps this helps explain why there are so many geese making their ways to seek safety and shelter from rural bullets in urban parks and suburban areas.
Chivalry, protection and devotion reign supreme in Canada geese.
They simply do what they have to in order to survive and forever protect the loves of their lives. -- PCA
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