The New Urban Goose Discovered

Once upon a time Canada Geese were creatures of the wild, adapted through many thousands of years to a freshwater marsh environment. Somewhat later, many lines of them handled the transition to urban "ponds," gleaning sustenance from such grains and grasses were available, or handouts if those came along. But now, there are even more urbanized Canada Geese, and I found them on the roof of our local shopping mall megaplex. Right there in the center of the photograph are two of these cosmopolitan Geese. I cannot for the life of me imagine what was on top of that JCPenney that interested them. A pool of rainwater? But there were better sources very close by. And it is a surety that there was no food up there. Such are the mysteries of urban wildlife. I recall reading that Peregrine Falcons released in the Great Smokies found a more amenable life amidst the skyscrapers of Charlotte, feasting on pigeons. Perhaps these Geese are the vanguard of some new roof-dwelling waterfowl. They'll be more than prepared when those newfangled green roofs are more widespread!