Geese, Poop and Just Lucky To Be Alive

I live in a rural area in the beautiful state of Ohio . My house sits on about three acres of a combination of woods, open field and a nice sized pond. Behind, and adjoining my little piece of heaven on earth, is 1,000 acres of untouched woods-no homes, no roads, just woods and animals. Deer, coyote, beaver, owl, turkey, American Eagle and an occasional black bear make the woods their home. The pond has all kinds of fish from huge largemouth bass to small sunfish and an occasional large snapping turtle, which if you've never seen one, looks like something out of a prehistoric movie.

This time of year, geese and ducks use my pond to teach their young in ways to survive and fend for themselves. Hawks, eagles, and those snappers I mentioned all do their best to make a meal out of those little baby geese and ducks. Sometimes in the morning, I have seen five baby ducks and in the evening only four. The next day there will be three, the next, two. The ducks and geese are smart though, and as the years go by the regulars move around. They stay in my pond for two days, walk to a neighbors pond for two days, then to another pond and then back to mine. They do this to throw off and confuse their prey. Their young follow them like little soldiers and in turn, they stay safe and learn to do the same when one day they'll raise their own young. The tactic seems to work well as I have not noticed any missing ducklings or goslings lately.

I like it when they leave though, because geese haven't learned to use indoor bathroom facilities yet and take it from me, they are pooping machines. A few days break gives Mother Nature some time to dry out and dissipate their little love droppings they leave in my driveway and yard. No big deal though for me, because I enjoy watching their lives unfold.

I also enjoy watching the flowers bloom, foliage turning green, trees filling out and the sounds of song birds, owls, coyotes, turkey's and frogs. I am fortunate to be alive. I suspect we all have our own beauty near us, even if you live in the heart of an urban area. I suspect it all has to do with perspective, and taking the time to realize and absorb the awe around us. I hope you also feel fortunate to be alive and that you enjoy all the different types of bounty the Creator has fashioned.