The Heron and the Goose, Part 2

During lunch today, I was a witness to round 2 in the seemingly ongoing struggle between two feathered species. I was watching the goings and comings around the pond again when I noticed a lone goose standing on one foot on a rock near the edge of the pond. I have seen him do this stance on several occasions before. Usually the rock is partially submerged, but today after the rain, it was totally underwater. This goose just stands there on one foot (apparently because there is not enough room for both feet.) and surveys the surrounding pond. After a while, he slips off the rock and glides across the water to some destination known only to him.

Today, however, was different. Unbeknown to me, he had spotted the "enemy" and, in an apparent attempt to act coy, he slips off the rock and starts paddling slowly towards the bank about 150 yards away. After a short swim, he suddenly takes off with wings beating strongly and feet slapping the surface of the water and makes a beeline (or should I say "gooseline"?) towards the bank. I followed his flight and realized that he had seen the heron wading at the shoreline and decided to teach him a lesson in politeness! The heron immediately took flight and winged his way to a more secluded part of the pond away from the crazy goose. The goose then calmed down and started on his meandering through the water as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened. It was another funny interaction between these two species.

I realize that I am putting a lot of anthropomorphic thoughts and feelings on each species, but I believe that there is some dislike between these two. Maybe it's the local equivalent of the same interaction between the Lion (Panthera leo) and the Spotted Hyena (Crocuta crocuta) in Africa. These two species just can't seem to get along. Isn't that like some of us? We try our best to at least be civil to another person, but just can't seem to accomplish that goal. There is something about that other person that just infects our most visceral being and produces some shocking actions and reactions. Believe me, I know it's hard, but what we really need to do is turn the person and the situation over to the Lord and let Him remove the negative thoughts. If we see them person through His eyes, maybe our reactions would be a lot different.

Until next time, see if you can witness a natural interaction. You just might learn something!