Bird By Bird

grace a Anne Lamott Among the ducks, who are autonomous, come and go at will, no passkey needed, and the raucous Northern Geese in sabbatical here, who is the Geese Boss Bird? Is there a consensus? A vote? Seniority, or brute force to elect a leader for the familial entity that sweeps the air over our heads, honking in the wake of whoever's le capitain? From whom do they get their directions, their criteria for depart and arrival? In the parking lot beside the lawn sloping down to the lake where the birds congregate, I am as still as a Setter pointing his prey, watching a family of geese in near approach. Mother Goose and Big Daddy steer six small offspring being taught to hunt in leaves and grass. Baby birds, so unafraid and trusting, I could easily bend down to scoop one up, but Big Daddy's in his attack mode. Do you believe he does not watch you? He does... Try taking a step or two Some of the ducks are partners: languidly dipping tandem heads beneath the surface, while just beyond their conjugal float, two geese in need of flight training skid to a ragged landing-- no Go Slow sign in evidence. Then, later, when the Boss Goose sounds assembly, they make roll call, revving up their motors, taking to the air, honking all the while, making that magic carpet that carries them home. All in unison now... Such community!