A Gaggle of Pure White Geese
Today, as I was driving from the Evergreen Church site in Beaverton to my home, I crossed through Fanno Creek Park on Denney Road. A small flock of geese rose from the water, circling over the road, and then headed south. I enjoy listening to the honking geese fly south. Today, my vision was stimulated. These geese were pure white! Nearly every goose I spot in our community is a Canada goose. The markings of a Canada goose are more interesting to me than a pure white goose. But a Canada goose is so common. In fourteen years of living in the Portland metro, I have never spotted a gaggle of pure white geese migrating.
Several hours later on this same day, I was sitting on my back deck in the bright sunshine trying to soak in some heat unsuccessfully. I heard the honking of geese and then I saw as many as 70 to 100 Canada geese fly overhead. My enjoyment was diminished. In the past I would have set aside my reading, but not my pipe, and I would close my eyes and listen to the honking of the geese. But earlier in the day, I had spotted this gaggle of pure white geese and its rarity had attracted my interest and joy.
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