A Gaggle of Geese

Now it is fall. A totally  different season for me to admire from my balcony and my daily walks through the golf course.

There are still leaves on the trees, although they are beginning to drift toward the ground.

There are still golfers, although a lot fewer of them every day. Their days start later and end sooner. Instead of wearing bright shirts and cute shorts, they arrive in sweatshirts and long pants..

Squirrels still chase each other along the paths and tease the dogs. A few ducks still swim in the ponds. Some things never change.

Something else that doesn’t change are the geese that peck their way through the grass and poop on the sidewalks all day, every day. Legend  is that there are about seventy geese that make Heather Gardens their permanent home.

I like the geese. I like their bad-ass ways. I like their swagger and the fact that they own the place. The own the sand traps and the putting greens. They own the roads and the ponds. Although they still prefer to waddle and swim in follow-the-leader lines, they aren’t practicing for a flight to a warmer climate. They have found a warmer climate and they are staying put.

I will miss the geese and this beautiful view while I am in Mexico. I will miss the smell of fresh-cut grass, and greeting the dog-walkers on my path.  I will miss the crisp early-morning air.

But I won’t miss dodging goose-poop.

Photo by Joan Obeslo, Bldg. 210, Heath Gardens