I was outside on our deck at sunrise in Colorado. An hour before, a meteorite streaked across the sky among the brilliant stars before they faded and disappeared. The morning star was still visible.
The eastern rim was streaked with crimson and gold against a faint, robin-egg-blue sky. I heard geese in the distance and watched as a long line winged their way against the dawn. Then more.
Hundreds of Canadian geese continued in small and large groupings, one squadron emerging behind another in V formations, sculling the air with their wings, honking their encouragement to those who led them south and west. I suppose they were headed to feed in the foothills. Migrating geese is one of the things I love most.
Another aspect of nature’s beauty and mystery. Who taught them to fly in formation? Scientists who study this phenomenon say the V formation reduces drag and adds lift for each goose. By flying together in this way, they increase their range by 71%.
And, since the lead birds must put forth the greatest effort, they rotate the lead position. They do this voluntarily. No one commands them.
No one trains or instructs them. It is their God-given nature. Watching the geese at sunrise reminded me of the unique global challenges we all face including global warming, poverty, famine and the aftermath, whatever it is, of this week’s election.
To survive and thrive we need to fly in formation. During COVID-10 that meant wearing a mask, washing our hands, remaining six feet apart. .
