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Stumpy is back!
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"Stumpy" is a Canada goose missing her entire right foot. She has been observed in Central Park before and was frequently reported on a couple of years ago, when going through the molt at the South Pond (though she had briefly been at Boat Lake prior to molt that year -- the same place she currently is).
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While one cannot be absolutely sure that this goose without a right foot is the same one observed two years ago, the injury is not a common one in geese and the looks and behavior are identical in both incidents. Stumpy (aka "Kaitlin") is usually observed with another goose, swims slowly with a slight tilt and is quite trusting of humans.
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What is so remarkable about Stumpy is that she has apparently survived, not just one brutal winter, but likely two with a disability that would appear to be certainly life threatening, if not life ending. Considering that thousands of water birds perished this winter and last due to starvation on iced-over watercourses, that this goose with only a stump for a leg made it through seems testimony to the resilience, adaptability and sheer tenacity of Canada geese.
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But, Stumpy is not the only goose exemplifying courage and determination in the face of adversity and challenge. The same is true of virtually all nesting Canada geese.
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One example of this, is a nesting goose pair in Denver who are tenaciously hanging in with their eggs despite mean kids hurling Easter eggs, soda cans, plastic bottles and a mop head at them. Although the nesting hen has a mate who attempts to guard and protect her, the one threat ganders are not naturally equipped to handle is that of humans.
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Back at Central Park, our preparing-to-nest, Canada goose pairs also exemplify the same fortitude and determination despite relentless human harassment and prior egg destruction.
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Last night for example, while "Mary" rested on what appears a chosen nest site on the rocks surrounding the CP Reservoir, her gander, John tirelessly patrolled the waters below her.
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At one point, two raccoons scurried along the rocks and John immediately bolted towards them. Wings flapping and neck outstretched, John appeared to give a hard peck on the back of one of the raccoons which sent both fleeing in the opposite direction away from the resting (or already nesting) Mary on the rocks. A few minutes later, John similarly chased away two mallards wandering into the "sacred" and fiercely guarded territory.
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After watching all of this for some time, I came away with the feeling that as taxing as nesting may be on goose hens who have to go nearly a whole month with little food, it appears even harder on their protective ganders who seemingly go the entire month with little or no sleep at all.
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Perhaps this helps explain why it is only the hardiest and most courageous and resilient geese (and many other animals) who seemingly are the chosen ones to produce offspring. The demands of parenthood are many and it seems only the most determined, hopeful, brave and strong that can truly live up to them.
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Unfortunately, (as noted) of all the threats that animals in nature have to contend with and hopefully overcome, those from humans are ones nature doesn't properly equip them for.
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How does, after all, a gander defend against those humans hurling bottles or other debris against their mates or those coming with flapping umbrellas to oil and render unviable their and their mate's eggs? Centuries of evolution and countless nature lessons just don't seem to teach about those threats and assaults.
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Still, where there is will, the geese are determined and courageous to find way.
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And so, despite the past failures and grief, the geese buckle down to once again nest and to once again defend. Today is after all, a different day and tomorrow holds the possibilities (however remote) of life renewed.
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As long as there is strength in their bodies and hope in their hearts, our brave ones fight to carry on another day. -- PCA
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