A LESSON FROM THE SNOW GOOSE

In the fall, when you see geese heading south for the winter ... or north in the sping.... flying in V formation ... you might consider what science has discovered as to why they fly that way:

As each bird flaps its wings, it creates uplift for the bird immediately following. By flying in V formation, the whole flock adds at least 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own.

When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag of resistance of trying to go it alone ... and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird in front of them. When a head goose gets tired, it rotates back in the wing...and another goose flies point. Geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep their speed.

Finally, and this is important ... when a goose gets sick, or is wounded by gunshots, and falls out of formation, two other geese fall out with the goose and follow it down to lend help and protection. They stay with the goose until it is able to fly or until it dies; and only then do they launch out on their own, or with another formation to catch up with their group.

If we have as much sense as a goose, we will stand by each other like that! People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going more quickly and easily because they are traveling on the thrust of one another. If we have as much sense as a goose, we will stay in formation with those who are headed the same way we are.

Tin's Life
The Author	Travels with Tin	Iowa, My Home	Loess Hills
DeSoto Nat'l Wildlife Refuge	The Snow Geese	A Lesson from the Snow Geese	My Husband
Mother	Daddy - Page 1	Tom	Links and Credits
Emergency Card	For Tom	This Child	The Next Generation
The Grandkids	Tin's Babies Babies Babies

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