Feathered frenzy: Running from the avian horde

In the center of the parking lot, the goose plopped down. “Hey goose, what’s with you sitting down in the middle of the parking lot? There is a lot of grass in this area, ” I yelled out the window. “You will be struck by a car!”

The goose said, “You nut, the pavement is warm. The grass itches my butt and it is too cold. Why don’t you take care of your own affairs? Or do whatever you were going to do—go grab a Starbucks.”

The goose responded in a snarky manner, which made me giggle. I then drove on to the Starbucks. The geese was still sitting in the center of the parking lot as I left the cafe holding my steaming coffee. But he wasn’t alone this time.

Around him, a group of geese were seated on the warm pavement. As I passed by, they turned to face me, their beady eyes gleaming in the sunlight. They were arranged neatly in a row, and I couldn’t help but note how pretty they were with their feathers gleaming in the sunlight.

I halted in my steps and spent a while observing them because I was entranced by their calm demeanor. I abruptly felt someone tap my shoulder. When I turned back, a young man in his twenties was standing there with a large camera.

“I’m a wildlife photographer, and I couldn’t help but notice your interest in these geese,” he said. “Would you be interested in taking a picture holding one of the geese. They are very docile and friendly.”

“Sure, why not?” I said. I strolled right through the flock of geese, looking for one to pick up. I failed to see there were many tiny goslings in the center of the flock, their down feathers gently swaying in the air. They were only a couple of months old.

The largest geese hissed out of the blue, dipped its head, and turned to face me. Many of his soldiers followed suit. Good-natured, my butt.

As they stormed after me, I ran as quickly as I could. They pursued me into the parking lot, their wings flapping frantically. With each stride, my pulse began to beat faster as I could hear their enraged honks fill the air.

In an effort to put as much space between myself and the enraged flock as possible, I dodged and wove around the parked automobiles. But no matter how quickly I fled, I could hear their wings beating as they drew nearer.

My friend the photographer was laughing and taking pictures. He said, “Great stuff! Don’t stop!”

I could not continue running indefinitely since I was becoming tired. I noticed a nearby tree with a low-hanging limb just as I was ready to give up and let the geese have their way with me. Without thinking, I went over to it, leaped, and grabbed the branch with all of my might.

Furiously honking beneath me, the geese snapped their beaks in despair when they realized they couldn’t get to me. I sat there for a while panting, the adrenaline still making my pulse race.

As soon as I got my breath, I looked down at the geese and noticed that the largest one was still looking up at me with his angry beady eyes. He let out a quiet honk and turned away, bringing his flock back to the comfort of the pavement almost as if sensing my apprehension.

I slid down the tree and approached the photographer, who was still giggling and taking pictures. He said, “Thanks for the fantastic pictures. You brightened my day!”

“Hey, where can I see the photographs?” I called after him but he had already gotten into his car and made his way to the exit.