The goslings that came into being only a couple of weeks ago have grown up fast. The ducklings are tiny and follow their mothers, sometimes at dizzying speeds for their size.
It doesn't surprise us in Eugene that clouds have started rolling in as if to make fun of our plans and desires. But, clouds or no clouds, it was too good a spring day not to walk by the river and take in the sights.
And, what sights they were!
I had barely walked five minutes on the path by the river when I spotted a huge gathering of geese and goslings.
Life goes on, even as our human lives are threatened by an invisible pathogen.
It is also the sight of such life, against the lush green of spring, that soothes, consoles, and encourages the heart.
The following is a slightly edited post from May 20, 2012:
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And, what sights they were!
I had barely walked five minutes on the path by the river when I spotted a huge gathering of geese and goslings.
The last time this happened, I was so mesmerized by the sight that it didn't occur to me to take photos until it was way too late.
"Not making the same mistake today," I told myself as I immediately reached out for my camera.
I stood there watching the birds for a while.
"Not making the same mistake today," I told myself as I immediately reached out for my camera.
I stood there watching the birds for a while.
I continued walking.
And more chicks.
The mother goose (technically, a goose can only be a mother, when the male is a gander, right?) looked up at me as if waiting for food to drop down.
Perhaps the birds have come to treat humans as food providers because quite a few continue to feed the birds despite signs advising people not to do that. If only humans would learn--story of our lives!
When the birds realized that I wasn't going to give them anything to eat, perhaps they were disappointed like how some students get when they realize that I never cancel classes :)
So, they took off and almost right away fell into a straight line formation.
No more chicks to admire, and I resumed walking.
The grass seed pollen levels were certainly getting to the unhealthy side--my eyes were beginning to water, and my nose and throat were getting itchy. But then I kept going--allergy be damned--there are goslings and ducklings waiting for me!
Perhaps the birds have come to treat humans as food providers because quite a few continue to feed the birds despite signs advising people not to do that. If only humans would learn--story of our lives!
When the birds realized that I wasn't going to give them anything to eat, perhaps they were disappointed like how some students get when they realize that I never cancel classes :)
So, they took off and almost right away fell into a straight line formation.
No more chicks to admire, and I resumed walking.
The grass seed pollen levels were certainly getting to the unhealthy side--my eyes were beginning to water, and my nose and throat were getting itchy. But then I kept going--allergy be damned--there are goslings and ducklings waiting for me!
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