Jailbirds

Observer: Eloise Bacher

Date: 15 October, 2008

Time: 1500-1525

Location: State Street, across the creek from the State Penitentiary.

Weather: Overcast, cold.

On State Street, a line of Canada Geese is crossing, stopping traffic. It's comforting to see that people are sticking hands and heads outside their vehicles and stopping other cars so the geese don't get hurt. Luckily, they all proceed to the other side, still in their stately line, like traffic stops for them every day. Which, actually, it probably does, considering the number of geese here right now. The other species of goose has taken up residence in the tiny parking lot here, and settled down, most of them apparently to sleep. Further down the stream there is a rock bar, and a bunch of crows are bathing there. I've never actually seen crows bathe before. When I passed most of them flew up into a tree on the State Penitentiary side of the creek. Since then they've gone back down to the water and resumed their baths. On the gravel bar right in front of me the Mallards are dominating, although there is a Gull sp. there as well. The sidewalk is populated by the pigeons and the occasionally goose, duck, and gull. The pigeons seems to have no regard for where they're going, and a few almost careen into my feet. There are two female mallards doing something in the water...playing? It looks like they're chasing each other, and it involves what looks like them using their wings to swim. Whatever it is, there's a lot of splashing involved. Every few minutes they stop and groom their wings, then go right back to it. As I walk back towards State St., I pass by the huge group of geese. One starts screaming, which prompts all the others to do the same and stand up. A few closer to me hiss, but they all move away. I notice one with what looks like a broken wing; it was here the last time I was here. Once I've walked far enough away, I look back; they've all settled back to where they were before I disturbed them.