When I was a kid, outside, in spring, my world would stop when the geese flew over our barn in their V-formation. My dad would point them out and we’d stand like frozen statues to see them fly overhead and hear their noisy honks. Hurrah! They were back from their northern homes and ready to nest here in our cornfields, marshes, creeks, and Mississippi backwaters.
Experts say the V-formation makes it easier for the birds to keep track of each other. Each bird flies slightly above the one in front, reducing wind resistance and taking advantage of the updraft created by the bird in front. Their honking allows geese to stay in contact with each other and serves as a motivational tool. Geese are smart!
When we go to the fishing hole up north in May, we’ll see the babies on the water and hope the mink, bald eagles, or turtles don’t get them. The neighbor Bill, up north, next to our cabin, throws firecrackers at them when they take up residence on his lawn. I guess it’s all in your perspective. I just happen to be lucky to see them overhead or walking the creek bank, nesting on Elk River.
Besides the geese, we’re seeing ducks in their V-formation, too, ready to set up a household. My dad had a 50-acre pasture with a creek that flowed under HWY 64 near Tom Gray and Kent Marshall. It was loaded with ducks. We were proud of the waterfowl on the little creek on our 50 acres. The cattle drank from the creek and were fattened in the feedlot, but it was definitely a waterfowl sanctuary, too. The creek has diminished now. I wonder why. Brian Sandholdt, do you see ducks in the tiny creek anymore?
Indeed, the geese have been flying a lot lately, more geese than I remember seeing as a kid. I walked to Elk River yesterday for exercise, a good walk, past gardens and shed, east of our house. My husband mows the acre that butts the creek, so it’s pretty easy walking with my walking stick despite mole hills that seem to pop up everywhere. A beautiful mallard drake and then flew up in a flurry of rustling wings from the creek, scaring my dog, Jasmine. Scared me, too.
Wild turkeys have reappeared in Cindy Cram’s lowland across our creek, which pleases us, too. We haven’t seen flocks for a while. Our first robin was sighted a week ago on the lawn. Even though I love seeing the birds and waterfowl, we hope the pelicans that landed in our creek last summer find elsewhere to eat. We fear they have pretty well cleaned out the bass. The grandkids have caught and released some beauties in Elk River for years. We’ll see.
How can I make so much out of these bird sightings? I think it’s because it gives me reassurance amidst the dissonance and noise of my human race that some beautiful things are still here.
If we can look skyward to the Canada geese procession, maybe we can look Heavenward, too, and be thankful for Mother Earth’s simple grandeur, year after year. Remembering my dad coming from the barn, pointing to the sky filled with goose song, brings me peace. When the geese over Hauntown have traveled beyond my vision, all I can say is Amen. And again, Amen.
