I love the fall. Crisp air, colorful leaves, and a myriad of sounds as birds migrate. While I was wandering near a lake last week, I was serenaded by several flocks of honking geese overhead.
I had a wondering...why do geese fly in a V formation? I learned a few things about their flight behavior.
The V pattern allows each goose a clear view of what's ahead. As each bird flaps his wings, he creates an uplift for the goose behind him, allowing for easier flight. When a goose falls out of formation, he immediately feels the resistance of going it alone and quickly falls back into formation.
When the lead goose becomes tired, he rotates to the back, and another goose takes over the challenging position.
When a goose becomes ill or injured and falls out of formation, two geese follow him to the ground. They help him and protect him until he heals or dies.
A thought crossed my mind. Geese provide a wonderful model for human families: Stay together…we’re stronger together than we are alone; Take turns with the difficult jobs; Help and protect each other.
I am continually amazed by lessons from the natural world...
(New photos on website Gallery: wandernature.com/new-photos)