favorite bike/walking route between work and home is covered in them. There are dozens. Literally. Which makes sense because I'm, um, riding along a canal.(If I were less afraid of cars than I am the geese, I would change my route. As it is, I'm terrified of drivers who turn right on red. Seriously. Look both ways people!!)
A few weeks ago, I was walking along the towpath and didn't realize that nesting season had begun for the beasts. Nesting season turns these monsters from mere annoyances to creatures that will actually attack you if you so much as step foot in a 2 yard radius from their nests. That are always very inconveniently located. Like a foot off the towpath.
Anyhow, I was walking Casey and a goose decided that we got too close to his nest. He unfurled his wings and charged at us, hissing. Which caused me to leap out of his way and shriek. Until I realized that he was actually charging at Casey. Who did the doggie equivalent of "Oh HELL no!" and sprinted as far away as the 16-foot retractable leash would allow, yanking her owner's arm roughly in the process. On our return trip, we gave the goose a wide berth, but he still found it necessary to scare the bejeezus out of Casey again.
I hate geese. Have I mentioned that?
So, just as a PSA, I thought I would share some facts. Did you know that sometimes, when you're on a bike ride that lasts longer than expected, a boy who may or may not have been waiting to meet up with you afterward might get annoyed? And he might call to express his annoyance. Which would then make you ride your bike home as quickly as possible.
And, when riding as quickly as possible, if you divert off the path to avoid a gaggle of geese, your tires will make a sound in the long spring grass that is similar to hissing.
Surprisingly, upon hearing this noise that is similar to a threatening noise that geese might make to one another, they react ridiculously quickly for ungainly lumbering
Also surprising is that riding one's bike through long spring grass causes a decrease in the speed at which the bike is moving. This, of course, makes it easier for the monster geese to catch up. Which might increase the terror of the person riding the bike.
Which might cause the rider to decide to kick at the geese, thus taking her feet off the pedals where they should be if she had any hope of accelerating AWAY from the beasts.
Luckily, she came to her senses before she was consumed by the gang of bullies and was able to ride off safely.
Geese - 1, Emily - 0.
Stupid Geese.
5 comments:
Geese do not eat people.
Also, I think that men who exhibit a chronic inability to show up on time or even at all after promising to do so should probably never be commenting on their SO's lateness. Glass houses and all that.
Foster hates geese and will actually charge right back at them (and I let him). Too bad Casey won't charge back. The geese on the canal downtown eventually got the hint and left us alone.
P.S. Another reason why Denver is awesome: much less water = no geese in my neighborhood!
Perhaps it is time for you to start carrying weaponry with you?
oooh! Good idea! Where can I get a tazer?
Wow, I finally found someone who hates and is afraid of geese as much as I am. The same thing happened to me a few years back. I was on a trail, got too close, and the goose started running and hissing at me. Thank god no one was around cause they probably would have been highly entertained watching me run away screaming from that thing!
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