Gertrude

Okay, I know how messy Canada geese are and that most people dislike them…but, they have my heart. 

Our property is a sanctuary for all kinds of animals. We have deer, wild turkeys, wood ducks, periodically, fox, coyotes, a white skunk, opossums, bobcat, a blue heron, a variety of song birds, woodpeckers, and buzzards, and once in awhile, Canada geese, commonly known as Canadian geese around these parts.

I find it fascinating that there are animals and birds who naturally mate for life. That brings me to Gertrude. Gertrude is a Canadian goose. Of course, I named her. I’m guessing that she is a she and not a he. Animals aren’t confused about who or what they are. But for me, it is difficult to distinguish between the sexes of Canadian geese when they aren’t together. Male and female are mostly identical except for their size. Gertrude and her mate frequented our pond. Recently though, Gertrude has been hanging around our pond…alone. That breaks my heart. Something happened to her man. 

I remember the first time my heart broke over a goose. I was driving near a pond in a congested area near many manufacturing buildings and offices. A goose had been hit by a car. Its mate was standing near the body, clearly in distress. There was no doubt in my mind that the goose on the road was deceased. My heart broke to see such anguish in an animal. I had witnessed that same anguish years earlier when I saw a momma raccoon desperately trying to gather her dead babies off the side of the road. Animals most certainly have feelings.

Sigh…..

I thought maybe if I named the goose, D would be willing to let her stay. I know he isn’t wild about having geese on our property. And I completely understand. Have you ever seen goose poops? They’re not little poops and really are quite messy. D certainly doesn’t want goose poop around my cabin, on the dock, or anywhere we walk around the pond. I agree. I don’t want Nyx in it either. 

But…

…I feel so sad for Gertrude who flies from here to there and back again, all alone. I haven’t done enough research to know if she will ever be able to find love again. Not sure how romance works in the goose world. 

I’ve noticed though she’s not here everyday. That’s probably a good thing. I’m not sure where else she visits but I’m glad to see her when she’s here. 

♥️

Andi