Early this morning I could hear geese in the sky. At first, I could not see them, but after looking way up into the clouds there they were in large V shape formations heading north. Some of the biggest formations I have ever seen, maybe 400 to 500 feet in length on each wing of the formation. Even this afternoon, while watering outside plants, which is unusual for April, I could still hear the geese. They must be coming from the wildlife refuges on the Klamath Lakes with their final destination in northern Canada. It is heartwarming to see so many geese after we almost annihilated them with DDT up until 1972 when it was banned in the U.S. They might know more about what the future weather forecast holds than us humans.
A collection of stories from the life of Michael Burke. He worked for the Forest Service in Alaska, California, and Oregon. He lives in Oakland, OR. His wonderful wife, Celia, passed in May of 2021
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FOUR YEAR ANNIVERSARY
It is four years today when Celia left this word, something I think about every day. It is not all sorrow as I think back on her humor, w...
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It is four years today when Celia left this word, something I think about every day. It is not all sorrow as I think back on her humor, w...
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In my early days with the Forest Service we were called upon to fight fires with little choice in the matter, especially on our days off or ...
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One of my most memorable Thanksgivings was when I lived in Eugene from 1991 to 2000. My two children were with me on Thanksgiving of 1992...
Hi Mike,
ReplyDeleteI always fondly recall the flocks of Canadian geese flying in formation in the Sacramento Valley, and am grateful for the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge that likely serves as a hospitable respite site for them. I could hear the geese as I read your piece. Thank you!