Fowl

There are billions of Canadian Geese in Boise. I know most people think of them as pests, but I really like them, probably because they remind me of when I lived in Manitoba/Northern Minnesota, where I saw them in such numbers for the first time. They are huge, dwarfing the cute little duck families, and make a huge mess out of all the parks. The city has put up metal statues of fox/coyote silhouettes to try and scare them away. I have seen gaggles of geese huddled together, afraid to pass by the statues, but I have also see a goose or two sitting on top of them. So maybe the trick is to move them around often enough to keep these birds on their (webbed) toes.

At the end of November one day, on a pond near our home, there were  four enormous, beautiful white swans. They were huge, and made the geese look small. The pond is across the street from the grocery store so I have watched them over the past couple of months each time I come and go from the parking lot, and been impressed with their size and bright white feathers. I noticed yesterday that there was only one left. I wonder if they have been wintering, and now moving on? Does anyone know?

 The amount of poo I walked through to get these photos is repulsive.

Isn't he beautiful!



Each time I see the swans on the pond, I think of this talk, given by President Uchtdorf.
Such words of calming wisdom.