By: Allie Webb
Recently I was reminded of the wonders of nature. At my workplace I noticed a strange sight, a wild Canadian goose had decided to build her nest in the middle of the parking lot, in a tiny island of pine straw beneath a lamp post.
Seems like a rather odd choice of location but never the less, our mother goose sat on her eggs for a number of weeks. As I drove by the building each day I would stop and look down the hill into the lower parking level to check on her. The large bird was often standing up, carefully turning her eggs. I felt as though I were peeking into the ‘Maternity Ward.’
A member of our Facilities Department placed yellow caution tape around the nest. I thought it was such a kind act that I stopped and thanked the man when I saw him. With a small chuckle he mentioned it was more to protect the people than the nest. Seems our mother goose was quite protective and able to take on anyone who dared to park too close as she defended her space. Hissing and nipping as she flapped her wings, the people didn’t stand a chance.
Still, I think its human nature to hope for a peek at the new babies. So, as I drove by last Friday before beginning my weekend, I was happy to see the brown and black bird was still calmly sitting on the nest. But when I came in Monday, one of those wonders of nature had taken place in our very own little parking lot – the babies known as ‘Goslings’ had hatched.
The shells were surprisingly uniform, each one broken in a nice circle near the top where the small beaks had pecked their way out into the world. Baby geese are capable of walking, even swimming, as soon as they hatch. We have a nearby pond where I am sure the goslings are now enjoying a casual swim with mom.
It’s amazing to think how close we are to wildlife and often don’t even realize it. The patches of woodland are shrinking around us. But the animals still manage to survive. Working on the late shift I come home around midnight.
I think most everyone has seen deer standing on the side of the road calmly munching on trees and quite often someone’s beloved flower beds. It’s hard to believe such large animals survive right in the middle of town.
And I also have had the pleasure to see other animals I would never expect to see in such a populated area. A large owl was perched on a sign near my car the other night. Needless to say, I waited for it to leave before I went to my car. With a wing span that looked at least three feet across it was an amazing sight to see it swoop down low and the sound of the wind swoosh as it disappeared into the night.
Then the red fox that ran across the road in front of me right in the middle of old town Suwanee. What a beautiful sight, we just need to look around. The Wonders of Nature –
