Inner clock....

As I sit here, foot propped up, enabling the swelling to secede, there are all manner of fall noises outside.

Geese are beginning to fly in uniformity. All summer they have been taking wing at various times but mostly they've been with their young, teaching them the finer points of survival. Now, they are gathering families together to get ready for their flight south.

They begin with small jaunts. From water where they rest and swim.... to fields that offer a source of food - perhaps grain or vegetables. Once they've eaten, it's flying back to their water source again. Whole families go and others join them in this ritual, until huge flocks can be seen taking off or landing....depending on the time of day.

They honk and make all manner of noises, communicating to one another. As they rise and take flight, their formation takes on the well-known "V". Not sure when they have meetings as to who does what and when but at some point, communication is spread that Goose #343 will lead the flock on it's evening flight to field 12-43-W2....and back again. They're giving their young a taste of what is to come and how the whole migration thing will happen. They must all take turns and give those young ones a bit of practice. Not sure. It's fun to think about though.

I find it all totally amazing!!!

Some days I wished I had an inner clock that would make me want to head south...but I suppose some of us have to stay around and shovel.:-(