The Osprey, The Goose and The Broom
We live right along the river's edge where Osprey and Bald Eagles make their nests. There are herons, egrets, hawks, vultures and buzzards. They often train their children to take flight over our house. We frequently see the parents carrying big fish, still dripping water from the river they were caught in, to their nests to feed their young. It is a beautiful and exciting place to live, but we have to pay extra attention to our small animal's security.
We thought the geese, who weighed 20 lbs and up, would be safe. After seeing a few of them gang up on a stray dog, who left in shame; I didn't worry about them too much. We let them have free range so they could eat the weeds, slugs and bugs. Some were from a local petting zoo and were very friendly. They'd waddle to meet us and make a ruckus to greet Clint when he came home from work. Others were like the ornery creatures geese can be.
One quiet afternoon, I am sweeping the kitchen floor when I casually glance up and see into the backyard through the hazy 50 year old window. I do a double take. A young Osprey is on top of one of my young geese trying to take flight with her. There are no ganders to come to her rescue because they are napping in the shade of the big barn. The struggle was so quiet the dogs did not hear it. The Osprey has both her talons tightly wrapped around the desperate looking goose's neck keeping her from making noise. The Osprey and I briefly locked eyes. I can sense her determination and am stunned by how fiercely she gazes back at me. My presence doesn't phase her one bit. She came here for a meal for her children and she is going to get it. I am determined she will be going elsewhere for food today and go outside to see what I can do.
Standing right next to the struggle did not deter the Osprey. I wondered how this will work out. I know I can't just put my hands on a predator, I'll be torn to shreds. So, I put the broom to use. I smack the stubborn Osprey and she holds on looking at me just as boldly as before. That makes me a little angry. I just let her know she can't have my goose and she did not budge. I take the broom and start smacking her faster and with increasing intensity. Of course, the goose is under the Osprey, so she's getting some of it too. Smack, smack, smack! The Osprey holds on for so long the goose starts to wonder if I am there to help her escape or to help finish her off.
Finally, the Osprey lets go. She lost her meal. She flies overhead a couple of times and then leaves for other prey; probably the neighbor's chickens.
The ungrateful goose waddles off complaining loudly without so much as a thank you for my coming to her rescue.
I walk back into the house and finish sweeping the kitchen floor.