I did a double-take as I drove past, my eyes scanning the lot for a parking space. A quick errand before work and I'd be on my way--my camera safe at home on the table, charging.
What makes our brains work like this-- catch a misplaced shape in the midst of chaos?
For there, in the Macadam Sea, on a small island finished with mulch, just starting to sprout lilies and a tuft of ornamental grass--a long black neck was watching.
A Canada Goose, quietly sitting on her nest. The small tuft of green, barely large enough for her body. Parked cars inches away.
Why do they choose to sit here, when an entire bank of green bounds the Sea? Is there something imprinted upon their brain that prefers an island to an edge? Will her children's first step be onto blacktop?
She watched me, as I fumbled with my cell phone, scrolling through media options until the shutter finally clicked. Never flinching.
Never hinting that what her world has become was anything less than perfect.
18 comments:
Wow, that is pretty amazing! I hope she and her babies are safe when they hatch.
You even teach us new words not related to nature. I'll never use the terms "pavement" and "parking lot" again. From now on they are Macadam Seas.
They are so adaptable. Just unbelieveable that they were once thought to be dieing out.
I guess the golf courses were fully booked this time of year. From that photo its easy to think that wilderness has become so fragmented -- the natural world has nearly become a zoo without fences. Hope they survive the mad driving of harried consumers and the hunger of feral cats. Reminds me of that wonderful children's book: Make Way for the Mallards.
Isn't this amazing? My oldest daughter told us about a parking lot on Long Island, NY where every little island held a nest. She watched every day until the eggs hatched, and worried over the goslings in the midst of traffic. But a day or two later (They all seemed to hatch the same day) they had all disappeared - off to a more appropriate venue.
What a capture, it really makes you think about the daftness of nature at times. Hopefully this bird and her brood will have lots of eyes looking out for them.
That last line is a real heart-wrencher. We should all be so serene!
A wonderful discovery, Nina, but also a reminder that the survivors in nature are all too often the species that can best adapt to us.
This is a terrific story. Hope Mom and young to come do well.
Keep us posted on this story. At least a weekly report.
Maybe the local paper needs to do a story. Put up signs, etc.
Thanks for sharing this story.
Troy
I think I know that goose! Is that nest at the Waterstone shopping center, in front of Jack's Aquarium?
What an unexpected finding!
Love that independant goose ;)
Poor Mama Goose. Such a dangerous place to raise a family. I hope no harm comes to her or the babies when it's time for them to go find some water.
Maybe she's just a symbol of hope against all odds in the Sea of Macadam, Country of Strip Malls.
Any updates on momma goose in the grass?
I think it's as Delia says so succinctly, "a symbol of hope against all odds in the Sea of Macadam, Country of Strip Malls."
And I hope that, although Susan has seen her also (yep! that's the spot), she remains invisible to the many who might taunt or disturb her.
I'll swing back past her island this weekend and keep you all posted.
That is really incredible! I wonder how many people have actually taken the time to stop and notice their surroundings in that parking lot. I bet few have ever even noticed this goose.
Michael and I saw the same thing today! Concord Mills in NC is a large outlet of retailers - a tourist spot with lines of traffic waiting for the lights to turn green. I looked to my right to see Mama Canada Goose and six babes on the bank near the right lane of traffic. Lucky for her and the babes, there was a pond on that side, but...
how very sad for her. As Joni Mitchell's song states, "they paved paradise and put up a parking lot"
Diane
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