Spring is in the Air

I love being out in the wide open spaces this time of year. The Canada geese are making their way north. To me, it is as exhilarating as watching the jets make their way to Our Fine City for an airshow. It is a sight to behold.

The sky was teeming with geese in V-formation (or finding their way into formation) throughout a country drive that I took the other day. The moment I saw the tell tale signs of black dots in the sky, you could see various formations in and around each other. I quietly wondered if there was anyone in the flock squawking "Are we there yet?" as they made their way north.

Then we spotted a bunch circling at a lower altitude. When our sights were lowered to the ground, you could see that a body of water was abundant with those that had already arrived to 'fuel up' for the remainder of their trip for the day. I wondered if anticipated these family and 'home town' reunions and caught up with the events of their Southern winter vacations.

I enjoy watching the ever-changing formation as the job of 'head goose' was handed over from one to the next. Is it a positive transition as one takes over the lead to make the job easier for the one who had been breaking the wind and making it easier for those behind him? Or is it a test of endurance and a macho contest as each tries to outdo the other??

We came upon some snow and speckle belly geese that (we found out later) had already reached their destination as they took up residence in some farmer's field. It was hard to believe that these wonders of nature were not welcomed with open arms as they create havoc with our man-made world and our efforts to make a living at the crops that are sewn. If only they could be kindly guided to a nature preserve where they would find a warm welcome. I tend to think that Man's ways will not be that of a Disney story, as they discourage the presence of the geese that travelled so far to an unwelcome reception.

When my attention was not in the sky, it was drawn to the abundance of sloughs. I was rewarded when I found the green head of the male mallard swimming beside a less noticeable mottled brown female. As I noticed the couples that paired up, I couldn't help but fast forward to a time in the near future where we will find a family of ducklings paddling along behind their mom.

Spring. A time of renewal. That which lied dormant all winter comes back to life. Those that left the cold northern climate return. Birth, hope and renewal.

Ahhh ... spring is in the air again. Be it ever so humble, there is no place like 'home'. Welcome back!