Caution -- Geese Crossing Here...

The other day, while driving home from a picnic in Troy, Pam and I came across this little nature scene -- a whole string of Canadian Geese, at least 30 or more, completely stretched across a four-lane road. It was a neat sight. They had been in a lake on the right side of the road and were in the process of crossing over to the left. I really can't tell why they wanted to go over there -- there wasn't anything over there for them. Maybe it was Chinese Fire Drill practice for the young ones, or maybe it was just the old "Why did the Canadian Goose cross the road?" drill.

What was the most interesting thing about all of this was how much like humans this parade seemed: a real big goose in front leading the parade, followed by a couple dozen very energetic young geese, followed by the other adults. It looked like one of those old Indian or pioneer trains heading out across the prairies. Their walking across the road had the same effect on traffic that a school bus does when it stops to let out little kids: traffic stops, little kids go running everywhere, and there is always one driver who seems to be in some all-fired hurry, blowing his horn, failing to see the beauty of the moment -- blue skies, sunshine, green trees, a gentle breeze, and a trail of goose poop across a highway. Some people need to get a life; they need to slow down and smell the roses (bet you thought I would say goose poop didn't you).
Man must feel the earth to know himself and recognize his values.... God made life simple. It is man who complicates it. (Charles A. Lindbergh)

Hooah