Loosey-goosey

It is January and the geese keep on going over. I thought they all went south for the winter. Are these the ones from north of us that think we are the balmy climate? I know that my brother, who lives in Alaska, thinks so. He came for a visit in January a few years ago, and while I was in my down coat and fur hat he was walking around in just a T-shirt. Eventually I convinced him to put on some pants. The point is that it is all relative. Maybe those geese are visiting their brothers?

Having become aware of the geese, I set out to observe their behavior more closely. Now I see that they are not just flying south over my house — sometimes they are going north, too. Are these the ones from up north who are getting an early start home before the traffic picks up? Are the ones flying south the ones who did not get going on schedule, maybe having to go back for something they forgot and then setting off again? (Sometimes this happens to me.) It’s all very confusing.

How come geese are the only ones that fly in that V formation? I heard somewhere that they take turns being the leader because that is the most tiring position, sort of acting like the lead dog in a dog team, breaking trail, only in the air. Well then it would make more sense for them to fly in a straight line, like ducks. Then they could slipstream, like racing cars, using less effort by benefiting from the draft created by the one in front. Maybe it is a safety issue. If the lead duck stops suddenly, the ones behind must crash into him. Geese would have a chance to see the problem and veer off before running over the leader.

What is all that honking about? Doesn’t that tire them out prematurely? I know I get tired faster if I try to talk while jogging. Not that I jog much anymore. I used to, but it made me tired and took up a lot of time in the morning that I needed for extra sleep.

Another thing about all that noise; it announces they’re coming. Your average goose hunter is sitting half asleep in the early morning cold, bundled up like a turkey wrap sandwich with his mind a million miles away. If the geese would just be quiet they would slide right by, leaving nimrod to contemplate the back side of their V.

I might have to go to Florida later this month on business. I hear the temperature might plunge down into the 50s while I am there, so I will be packing my heavy T-shirts ... and some pants. It’s not that warm.

Bill Abrams resides, along with gaggles of geese, in Pine Plains.