October 21, 2006 in Autumn, Winnipeg

canada goose


Every Fall, our dear family friend, Nanay Ayo, always goes back to the Philippines and stays there until Spring.  She’s about 70 years old and already retired.  She escapes the extreme winter temperatures that we get here in Winnipeg.  How lucky is she to be able to do that.  I also know a few retirees who do the same thing.

Also every Fall, the Canada geese fly south to warmer temperatures.  I’ll hear them honk and see them fly up in the sky.  And I am just fascinated at how they fly in the V formation.  I have seen a TV documentary on this topic and I found an article on this website that explains it very well.  I just thought I’d share it with you.

v formation

Geese Facts

    Next fall when you see geese heading south for the winter… flying along in V formation…you might consider what science has discovered as to why they fly that way:

    As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately following. By flying in V formation the whole flock adds at least 71% greater flying range, than if each bird flew on its own.

    People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going more quickly and easily because they are traveling on the thrust of one another.

    When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone… and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird in front. If we have as much sense as a goose, we will stay in formation with those who are headed the same way we are. When the head goose gets tired it rotates back in the wing and another goose flies point. It is sensible to take turns doing demanding jobs…with people or with geese flying south.

    Geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed. What do we say when we honk from behind?

    Finally…and this is important…when a goose gets sick or is wounded by gunshots, and falls out of formation, two other geese fall out with that goose and follow it down to lend help and protection. They stay with the fallen goose until it is able to fly or until it dies, and only then do they launch out on their own, or with another formation to catch up with their group.

    If we have the sense of a goose, we will stand by each other like that.

I guess it wouldn’t hurt to follow the example of the Canada geese, don’t you think?