Art Blog #166

'One month and now it's time, for me, to let them be' 

(A Gosling's Tale) By Paul Connor 

One month and now it's time, for me, to let them be'  (A Gosling's Tale) By Paul Connor 

'Two seasoned parents and ten 'early season' goslings appear,

Just days before the cold snap arrives and their safety brings concern, wonderment and fear.

Locals are motivated to act and provide oats, fruit, bread and all kinds of supplies,

And placed in strategic places around the lake so not to be missed by scouring eyes.  

It's cold and its icy and for all lake inhabitants, food is hardly accessible, scarce and its rare,

  So the 'baby goose activity' brings territorial and opportune behaviours and many a jealous and envious stare.

Yet these 'small version geese' are also targets from predators that lurk below and hover above,

So its 24/7 duty for mum and dad with a mix of barking, hissing, scurrying, prodding, pushing and love.  

What are their roles and how do they seem to play them so well?

The mother is hands on, vocal and attentive, in control of their upbringing as far as I can tell,

The father is quieter yet sturdy and strong in support of his partner and brood,

As they pepper the day with escape plans, bath-time, skill-teaching and finding and devouring food.

 

As the weeks passed by, their family number declined as the pressures of survival took its toll,

Ten youngsters soon became eight and concerned residents' theories started to roll,

The surviving chicks were getting bigger though and beginning to get personalities of their own,

Stretching, exploring, diving and ducking and causing a different set of skills for their parents to hone.  

Wings started to appear with a mixture of confusion, intrigue and delight,

And diving and staying underwater brought up apparent emotions of achievement, fun and fright,

Parents constant agitation seemed to subside and daily bouts of relaxing family time appeared,

Broken by groups of camera-wielding humans and when dogs without leads suddenly neared.  

So what can be taken from this first month and the Egyptian Geese's behaviour?

Any lessons learned, highlights and moments to saviour.

When all said and done they are a family, facing challenges and doing what they can to survive,

A unique set of skills, determined by evolution and being given a chance at being alive.

 

Nature does not demand, expect or take more than it needs or requires.

Nature does not utilise words like self, ego or have personal agendas or societal desires,

Nature lives off instinct, for and in the moment and with humility, honesty and simplicity at it's core.

Nature is infinitely interesting, devastatingly diverse, and bountifully beautiful and a whole load more.  

There has been beauty, joy, sadness and teaching points and wow moments in equal and appropriate measure,

And overall, to watch and photograph them, daily, has been a privilege and a pleasure,

So a re-alignment with the environment is a must if we want to overcome petty discrimination, personal conflict and unnecessary strife.

Because Nature has so much to offer us with lessons, insights and differing ways to approach the challenges of life.'  

So what advice would I share, what lessons, tips and guidelines have I learned,

Nature reacts kindly to you, with trust and respect only when it is earned.

Respect the fact you are entering their environment and be patient, open-minded and willing to be taught,

And moments of wonder, bewilderment and sheer joy will unfold beyond anything possible that you thought.

Words and Images by The Connor Contemporary