Fox and Goose

FTLComm - Tisdale - May 14, 2000

Mid way between Tisdale and Nipawin is the big Parkland Alfalfa Dehydration complex with its processing plant and storage yard. This the story of the residents of this place with its abundance of food and pleasant pond. Each year a small flock of geese like to call the pond their summer home and enjoy the pleasant surroundings and food that is both available and that which is set out for them by Martin Chabot the owner of the facility. However, off in one corner of the compound under a portable bunkhouse trailer a family of fox also make their home and tradition has it that these two species are less then compatible. Though the fox and his family is a threat to the geese Martin is not keen on disturbing them because they do good work around the yard on the rodents which are much less welcome. One day a week ago Martin spotted the fox in a confrontation with the boisterous gander, spouse of the goose in this picture. Canada geese are big animals and what they lack in fangs they more then make up for with massive wings and more bravado then most flying creatures. The gander refused to back dog and was soon joined by a noisy group of other wing flapping geese and soon the fox realising he was not only out numbered but was in serious danger of getting clambered severely with three foot long wings, retreated back to the South West corner of the compound well away from the belligerent band of hostile Canada geese. Two unusual nests have been established by the geese. This one atop one of the alfalfa handling units and another on a bail stack with shark straight walls rising from the ground. Both perches are out of reach of the sneaky fluffy tailed renard. Martin showed me this goose looking after her eggs and I could have climbed right up and she would not have left her brood. He said that she completely ignores the crews working around her each day and they, have seen the confrontation with the fox are perfectly contended to let her raise her goslings The challenge is, how will she get them from up on this perch to the pond to teach them to swim and fly. So there will be much more to this story as time moves on. The song is a traditional folk song and I thought you might enjoy hearing it in this context. Sincerely Timothy W. Shire