About seven months ago, as spring was persuading the last of the winter snow to melt in Canada’s Northwest Territory a Snow Goose hatched. For two days she had used the tiny “egg tooth” on the end of her soft beak to pip her shell all the way around. With one mighty push the shell parted and she entered a brand new world. She was soon accompanied by her 3 clutch-mates but the four little goslings remained nestled in the warmth of their mother’s soft breast down until dry and strong enough to walk about.
Matilda, the Snow Goose
Over the next four months under constant protection and guidance by her parents, she and her clutch-mates grew and learned to fly in the expansive Arctic tundra, over two thousand five hundred miles from north Florida.
Then, one day, as the first north wind of Autumn whistled across the Arctic landscape this now fully fledged snow goose took to the air with a thousand more just like her. With genetic maps burned into her DNA, she instinctively knew where she was going and why. Tens of thousands more were leaving various points in the Arctic at the same time, all headed south, in one of North America’s greatest natural spectacles, the fall migration.
I had the distinct pleasure to meet this little goose, Matilda. I met her because she almost made it to her wintering grounds. In the unforgiving natural would, “almost” usually means death. Burning the last of her energy reserves, Matilda flew into a storm front and became separated from her family. Exhausted and lost, she had no option but to land. That landing occured exactly four miles from my house on the grounds of a factory that makes gunpowder.
Initial exam - a very tired bird
A watchman noticed the strange bird the morning after the storm and when she didn’t leave he called Chris at the FWMA. She called Melody and I and off we went on a wild goose chase.
Exhausted, hungry and at the end of her rope, Matilda was no problem to catch. We literally just picked her up. She figured she had nothing to lose I guess. We headed straight to the clinic.
Without a doubt, this gorgeous bird was one of the most agreeable patients I have ever attended. She laid on our treatment room table and watched with detached curiosity as Melody and I completed our assessment. There were no broken bones, no soft tissue or feather injuries, no parasites or infections. She weighed just 1300 grams. She left Canada weighing about 5000 grams. Matilda was out of steam. We got busy with the groceries. Feeding tubes straight to the crop about 4 times daily delivered the nutrients where they were needed without her having to graze.
My wife and her pal Matilda
Matilda got the royal treatment. We felt she had come a long way for our care and we made sure she was impressed. After two days she started eating on her own. We then put her in a cage next to the pond in our yard were she could dabble and eat her corn and other goose goodies we treated her to. Each night we brought her in and put her in a carrier. She didn’t appreciate that but at least we knew she was safe. Each morning we carried her back to her cage and she happily walked back in for another day of Florida sunshine.
After two weeks she gained about a pound and we started letting her out of her cage. She swam about the pond and spent her days grazing and doing normal goose things. Matilda was always very attentive to the sky. She would always cock her head and look at anything that flew over. I know she was lonesome.
Melody put the word out to the refuge officials to let us know if anyone spotted the main flock. She and I got in my little plane and flew over the marshes several times hoping we could find the flock. No luck. As she grew stronger and would fly across the pond testing the wings that had failed her, I knew we would soon say goodbye.
Last Sunday afternoon while Melody and I had stepped out to visit friends, Matilda left. I hope she was beckoned by the soft calls of a flock of her kinfolk passing high overhead. It is better this way, I hate goodbyes. I would still like to know she is OK. I would also like to thank her for allowing me into her life. Knowing her has certainly enriched mine.
Taking a nice bath
Looking after details
Looking and listening for friends
Testing the wings
Hi,
What a wonderful story. You must feel happy that you are able to help such helpless creatures. Keep up the good work.
Wonderful, wonderful story – beautiful pictures. Thank you for helping Matilda.
On another note – Margaret Merrick – my maiden name is Merrick & I wonder if we are related? I was born & raised in Northampton, MA – my father’s name was Matthew L. Merrick & he passed away in 1964. My mother Helen is living w/me in TN. Dr. Griggs – can you please send this note to Margaret along w/my website?
Thanx – Barb
I know what you mean about goodbyes!!! I am so glad you were there to help her on her way! Beautiful, beautiful bird!!
As well as you know me Norm . . . I am on that same page with you about “good-byes” . . . in fact . . . I don’t believe I said good-bye to you guys when you left Tennessee . . . mainly cuz’ I plan on keeping y’all in my “active” file of life!!! I wish you could see our little “chillin’ ” all 4 of them . . . on all 16 legs . . . well . . . except for(goofus) J.E.B. . . . he is on 4 1/2 (from that puppy-stage broken shoulder) . . . running and romping as long as their hearts want to, on their new 5 acre digs! We finally got the entire place fenced and the “pack” is loving every second of it. That goes for the Alpha male and female of the pack as well. We are both loving it, too! Miss you guys . . . but we know that you are in love with what you do, who you are, and where you have been lead. You have always been good at listening to Him, and doing God’s work. Your life is filled with souls cheering you on!!! You’re gonna have a lot of folks “of all kinds” to meet up with when you get to the Kingdom! Our hearts are always with you and we are only that far away. Don’t forget . . . 75 acres behind our barn is wide open to land a small plane . . . anytime . . . !!!
Uhhhhh . . . on J.E.B.’s leg count . . . that is 3 1/2!
Wakulla county is absolutely blessed to have you and your wife here ! We are fortunate you have found your way to this little crevice in the Big Bend. The photo of your wife and Matilda is incredible, one can see the mutual love & trust between the two! Your story reminds me of when my husband witnessed a huge great horned owl nipped by a truck, he ran though a marsh off Hwy. 98 up to his knees in sludge to locate it, eventually delivering it to the wildflife rescue on Edgar Poole Rd. the next day. His beak was razor sharp and his eyes could cut your throat but he must of known he was being helped. Without a human escort this majestic owl would of been lost forever, instead he was nursed back to health and his wing repaired. We are glad there are others who will trek through a swamp (or a gunpowder plant) to help a feathered friend in need! God Bless you and all those you touch!