Mike Simpson: She did it for the goslings, but to me she’s a hero
The rain storm filled the fenced retention pond and we watched from our tree house deck as Canada geese did their mating dance and nested near the water. When the seven goslings hatched, the pond was gone, draining to the water table. With no water, little food, parents molting, all nine unable to fly, they faced certain death.
Their savor takes action, she researches, buys a pool, food, digs it into the ground, fills it three times daily, feeds daily for weeks. She confronts transients, cats and hawks. The goslings grow and prosper, then tragedy; a gosling has swallowed 2 feet of 3-foot nylon cord. Frantically she tries to save it, to no avail; she cries all day. She collects grass clippings from befuddled neighbors with no explanation for the birds protection.
The whole family will fly off in a couple of weeks, to a real pond and the goslings will wonder why their feet don’t touch the pond’s bottom. Mom and dad will finish their training.
This kindhearted, caring, loving person was determined that this wonderful family would live, mate and grace our skies and ponds again. This savor wants no recognition, but I feel this story must be told.
Mike Simpson, Modesto
This story was originally published June 20, 2017 at 12:42 PM with the headline "Mike Simpson: She did it for the goslings, but to me she’s a hero."