Raindrops & Goslings

     Having not been in this new place long enough to understand the weather patterns, we have come to the conclusion that this must be the rainy season.  We marvel at the accuracy of the local meteorologist when it comes to the forecast of rain.  If they say it will rain at 3 o'clock in the afternoon, it will.  It may only be a sprinkle, or a drop or two, but it still qualifies as rain.

     It rains a lot in the evening or during the night.  When checking on the weather in the mornings, if it gives a 50% chance for rain, most likely it happened before we ever got out of bed.

     I believe there is a grand design and plan at work on this planet and the rainy season here serves more purpose than just replenishing the water supply.  Not only is it the rainy season, but it is the season of the goose.

     The locals have said that many of these Canadian Geese stay year round.  I thought there were a lot of them when I first landed in this place, but since the season of the hatchling has arrived, their numbers have increased seven fold.   There are geese everywhere.

     Not being extremely gooseified, I just assumed that the new ones all hatched at the same time, given a day or two.  That is not the case.  There are herds (yes, I know it should be flocks, but when all they can do is waddle, they look like herds) of baby goslings ranging in ages from three to four weeks old, to just a few days. The fuzzy looking little ones are a dirty yellow color and cute.  The ones that are older by a couple of weeks begin to take on the appearance of a velociraptor and the area around the pond looks like a scene out of Jurassic Park. 

     Adult geese are very protective of their new fledglings and do not take kindly to another pair of geese, family in tow, getting to close to their brood.  The only exception to this is the goose that has lost its mate.  One pair has let this one enter into their fold and between the three of them, they have a grand total of 17 goslings.

     I'm not kidding when I say there are geese everywhere.  They. Are. Everywhere......and not just in this complex.  We have not gone anywhere in the city that we have not seen a flock of geese either in the middle of a parking lot, or sitting on a small patch of grass between the shopping centers.  

     With a lot of geese, there is a lot of goose poo.  It. Is. Everywhere.  The roads are covered with it and so are the sidewalks.  This calls for careful navigation, especially when taking the ever so entertaining Jack Russell Terrier, Runtly, out for a walk.  Runtly loves goose poo.  He can eat it, or roll in it, doesn't matter to him, as long as he can get close to it.

     So, after a night of heavy rainfall, it was a delight to take the Runt out this morning.  As we walked up the quiet, empty street, there was not one pile of poo to be found.  Runtly was disappointed, but it was nice to be able to walk him without having to keep a constant eye on him while he searched for his next dip and dive.

     But, the day is early, the sun is shining, the geese are honking and the gosling herd is on the move.  Runtly's disappointment won't last too long......so, let it rain.