The Heron and the Goose Part 3

Well, the end of this past week saw some exciting happenings at the workplace pond. Yes, they were at it again. This time, the heron was slowly strolling along the water's edge and came upon a gaggle of geese with some members floating on the water and others standing on the shoreline preening or just resting. I am sure the heron was hunting based on his behavior, and he didn't seem to like that the geese were in his way. He continued on his way and the geese that were in the water swam out from in front of him only to return to their spot after he passed. The heron went a few more feet, and then turned around and started back the way he came. He quickly discovered that the geese were in his way again and quickly took action. He chased the geese on land and in the water with a herky-jerky motion that included flapping wings and a jabbing beak. It was actually quite comical to watch. After the heron's short "tantrum", the geese decided they had had enough of his attacks and either swam out to deeper water or walked further down the shoreline. The heron calmly resumed his hunt, and I was able to witness him nabbing a few small fish for his lunch.

I am beginning to wonder if the Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) and the Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) are "eternal enemies" like the Lion (Panthera leo) and the Spotted Hyena (Crocuta crocuta). These two African mammals are always goading each other. I remember watching a documentary several years ago entitled Eternal Enemies. The filmmakers spent several months filming a pride of lions in Botswana and discovered this animosity between these two species. The hyenas harassed the lions at a kill and at any other opportunity. The hyenas would also kill lion cubs at every opportunity and seemingly defy the pride's lead male when he scent-marked his boundaries (Normally, different species ignore each other's scent marks because they are not in competition with them). At the end of the show, a newly chosen matriarch of the local hyena clan pushes the lions to the edge. When one of the lionesses leads some of the pride out to confront the clan, one of the adult male lions, Ntwadumela (he who greets with fire), hears the noise, charges out of the bush and immediately chases down the matriarch. With a quick bite to the neck, the matriarch is dead. This confrontation wasn't about food or control of territory, but about differences between species. One species goads; the other reacts savagely. It was some very dramatic and riveting footage.

I'm not saying that the heron or the goose will ever react with such force and one of them will end up lifeless. However, every time I get the chance to witness them in the same place and am privileged to watch the behaviors between them, there seems to be a lot of animosity. Is the heron a crotchedy, old grouch? Are the geese mischievous little kids? Maybe not. But it sure makes for an entertaining lunchtime show.

Stay tuned for more in this continuing saga...