Rising to the Soulful Call of the Migration Spectacle
Hmmm, in a world where unrelenting change is the norm, is there anything more life affirming than the migration spectacle?
It happens every year around this time. Winter begins to relax its grip on the northern climes at the gentle urging of approaching spring. There may still be some frosty days to weather, and a snowstorm or two to endure, before we’re in the clear. But this first prelude of spring whispers that magical word in my ears – migration!
In truth, birds of many feathers began their migration some time ago from their southern wintering grounds. For some species, the migration is a trip covering as much as 10,000 miles. Getting an early start is critical to reaching their breeding grounds in time.
But it is the first warm weekend in March that awakens in me the urge to head down to Lake Ontario with binoculars in hand. The protected, inner bays are still mostly locked in their winter cloaks. But the skin of ice is perilously thin and receding. The winged creatures feel their instincts percolating and become almost as restless as I am.
I begin to tick off the species:
Great rafts of Long-Tailed Ducks… Winter residents of the Great Lakes. Already in transition from drab winter markings to striking breeding plumage of black, white and brown-fringed wings. Their distinctive yodeling chorus – ow-owdle-ow ow-owdle-ow – rolling melodiously across the water.
Regal Goldeneyes… The royalty among winter ducks. Males with snow white bellies, glossy green heads with showy white patch, scalloped white and black wings. Grayish females with their white collar, rusty brown head and yellow-tipped bills.
Playful Buffleheads… Diving and surfacing with what seems like reckless abandon. Beauty defined by simplicity – predominantly white with puffy green heads and bonnet-like white patch.
Sleek Red-Breasted Mergansers… Riding low in the water like speedboats. Dark crested head, orange dagger bill, white collar and mottled brown breast.
And passing overhead, the ribbon-like flight profile of two Tundra Swans… One of the first true migrants of the season. Bridal white with ruler straight necks curving into graceful heads. Black bills with the diagnostic yellow basal spot.
A trio of American Coots… Not due here yet, but a few always seem overeager. Chunky black with an unmistakable white bill. Dabbling and diving and head-pumping as they forage.
And, ah yes, from somewhere overhead comes the oh so welcome kill-deeah kill-deeah dee-dee-dee of the first Killdeer of the season. Watch for the first robin if you choose. The first Killdeer is how I know that spring is not far away.
The migration spectacle is just beginning. The great metaphor of renewal that endures year after year and restores my faith that some things do not and will not change. My soul awakens to the call and I answer joyfully.
~ Michael Robert Dyet is the author of “Until the Deep Water Stills – An Internet-enhanced Novel” – double winner in the Reader Views Literary Awards 2009. Visit Michael’s website at www.mdyetmetaphor.com or the novel online companion at www.mdyetmetaphor.com/blog. Visit www.smashwords.com to download a free preview of the e-book version.
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