Learn from the Geese

[brihacharan]

Hi Guys!
Here's another one ...."Wisdom in the Wild"!

Learn from the Geese

Since the dawn of civilization man has learnt some of the best lessons in life, by observing nature and even more so from the behaviour of the birds and animals. Modern day behavioral scientists have relied upon, their findings through intense research and studies, and have found many a common link with that of human behaviour too, such as “The herding mentality, courtship rituals, combat techniques, territory protection and home building”.

Today HR professionals and training managers, employ some of these behavioral patterns and case studies in team building exercises, to motivate employees of companies towards enhancing their performance, as also to achieve common goals. ‘Learn from the Geese’ is one such case study, that has been widely circulated and has had its desired impact, on participants the world over. I wish to share it with you, hoping that we all can learn and benefit from it.

Fact 1
As each Goose flaps its wings, it creates a thrust (air lift) for the birds that follow. By flying in a ‘V’ formation, the whole flock adds 71% greater flying range, than if each bird flew alone.
Learing:
People who share a common goal and a sense of belonging can, get to where they are going quicker and easier because, they are traveling on the thrust of one another.

Fact 2
When a Goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of flying alone. It quickly moves back into formation, to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front of it.
Learning:
If we have as much sense as a Goose, we would stay in formation with those headed to where, we want to go. We should be willing to accept their help, and in turn give our help to others.

Fact 3
When the lead Goose tires, it joins back into the formation and another Goose takes its place, to head the formation and lead the way.
Learning:
It pays to take turns, to do the hard tasks by sharing leadership. As with Geese, people should be interdependent, on other’s skills, capabilities and resources.

Fact 4
The Geese flying in formation ‘honk’ to encourage each other and those up front, to keep up their speed and momentum.
Learning:
We too need to cheer and encourage each other. This motivates us towards better performance. The power of encouragement is the quality of ‘honking’ we seek, to do better than our best.

Fact 5
When a Goose gets sick, wounded or shot down, two Geese drop out of the formation and follow it down to help and protect it. They stay with it until it is able to fly again or dies. They then launch out, with another formation or catch up with the flock.
Learning:
If we can only have as much sense and compassion as these Geese, we will definitely stand by each other in difficult times, as well as when we are strong.

Truly amazing isn’t it? Wisdom and lessons in life sometimes can be learnt and acquired by observation, be it man, animal, bird or for that matter nature itself. In other words be sensitive to your environment, for we are all created with a purpose, to live our lives in harmony and in commune with nature.

Cheers
Brihacharan

[shooter]

geese are lovely, beautiful, elegant birds.
This is a good lesson and you would be surprised about how many churches use this story in their sermons.

[brihacharan]

geese are lovely, beautiful, elegant birds.
This is a good lesson and you would be surprised about how many churches use this story in their sermons.

Hi Shooter,
> You would perhaps be surprised too - this story was shared with me by "None other than a NUN"!!!
Cheers
Brihacharan

[TwoRivers]

As a hunter, I sure wish #5 were true!

[brihacharan]

As a hunter, I sure wish #5 were true!

Hi Two Rivers,
> Cross my heart 'It's true'!!!
> The story was passed on to me by my daughter who teaches in a convent school, who got this from her Head Mistress who is a NUN.
> It's great to hear from you all the way from Alaska. Do you hunt regularly - What game - What weapons do you own & use?
> By the way both of us happen to be of the same age (72) - I was born in sept.
> I remember during my school days I used to hear this song by Hank Thompson - Uka Duka Mushka - Which means that I love you - if you will be my baby I'll Uka Duka Mushka You - She wears her underwear made with the hide of a grizzly bear - The squaws along the yukon are heading up for me - Carry me back to old Alaska.........!!!
Cheers
Brihacharan

[prashantsingh]

Not so sure about the geese. But there is one bird in the Indian subcontinent which pairs for life. The Saras Crane. Legendary lovers. It is said that if one dies , the other starves to death.

[brihacharan]

Not so sure about the geese. But there is one bird in the Indian subcontinent which pairs for life. The Saras Crane. Legendary lovers. It is said that if one dies , the other starves to death.

Hi Prashant,
> Yes Saras Cranes are Legendary Lovers!
> There's one other bird 'The Yellow Eyed Penguin' who comes close to Saras Cranes - Their courting ritual is interesting to watch!

"Yellow-eyed penguins do not nest on snow and ice. They live in New Zealand and other islands and stay in the same place the year around. They nest among rocks, under fallen logs or in holes, and their nests may be 100 yards apart and as much a half a mile from the sea. Yellow-eyed penguins were studied for 17 years by one man. He found that most of these birds mate for life. He also learned that they may live to be at least 18 years old".
Cheers
Brihacharan

[shooter]

As a hunter, I sure wish #5 were true!

[prashantsingh]

You know shooters.....My imagination just went wild n crazy and I thought.
You shoot one goose and two come down to help .
You shoot the other two as well ....and 4 comedown to help these two.
In short you shoot one and you get them all.
Quite the opposite of a "Wild Goose Chase". LOL.

Jokes apart.....This is a very informative post.

-- Thu May 06, 2010 10:34 pm --

and Brihacharan Sir. Thanks for the info. on the yellow eyed penguins. Somehow one always associates Penguins with snow and ice.

[TwoRivers]

Hi Brihacharan,

third attempt, think I'll keep it short and keep adding.
Well, if a NUN said so, it can't be anything but TRUE! They just never do that for me when I drop one. Geese do mate for life, though. Just like cranes and swans. But so do the raptors.
We have moose, caribou, deer, mountain sheep and goats. Probably will not hunt the last two anymore, the hills keep getting steeper every year. Elk on two very rugged islands, so if that urge becomes overpowering, it will have to be in one of the "lesser forty-eight". Bears, polar, brown/grizzly, and black; though the first has been legal to hunt only for coastal natives since 1972. As to upland game, four species of grouse, and three of ptarmigan, and most waterfowl.

As to what guns I own, it would be easier to count the ones I don't.

For moose and bear I like to use a Husqvarna HVA in 9.3x62, stocked for me. Though lately I have been using a Ruger .375 Alaskan when hunting along the ocean, don't like to get the 9.3 banged up too much , and rusty. For the mountains and caribou my first choice is a Ruger M77 in .284 Winchester. If the hunt calls for both rifle and shotgun, a Brno 100 series O/U in 12 ga./7x57R; or a Tikka O/U in 12 ga./7x65R. For years I used a BSA .30-06 bolt, and have taken more game with it than with any other rifle. Stock was ugly and didn't really fit me, so it was called upon to do the dirty work. And it did so reliably. Including my longest shot/kill ever. For coyote and such, one of many .22 Hornets, a .223, or .22-250, depending on terrain. Might even borrow my wife's M77 Ruger in .243 Winchester.

When hunting for moose along small, winding, streams by canoe or kayak I prefer a short, iron sighted lever action.
Winchester M94 Big Bore in .375 Winchester or .444 Marlin; or a Marlin in .450 Magnum. Also when on horseback.

Before steel shot was mandated for waterfowl, my favorite shotguns were a 12 ga. Merkel O/U, and a 28 ga. Sauer SxS, then I switched to other shotguns, and used a Winchester M97 pump quite a bit. With it's modified choke it has managed steel shot without a problem.

Well, looks like you got me by two months, if you have passed your 72nd.

Those lyrics you're not likely to hear anymore, just not pc!

Cheers.

[brihacharan]

Hi Two Rivers,
> Good to hear from you!
> I simply marvel at your armoury and the choice of game you can bag.
> Here in India Game Management is nothing to write home about. Un-controlled de-forestation and poaching has reduced the availability of game. Here the war cry is save the environment, save the tiger, save the black buck......
> Besides its difficult to import good quality guns into the country - too many restrictions and ammo too is not freely available. 22 / 275, 30-06 and 375 are popular calibres here.
> Keep in touch - Take care.
Cheers
Brihacharan

[prashantsingh]

Brihacharan Sir,
You forgot to mention the most popular firearm in India......The "Do Naali Bandook" .....12 Bore Double Barrel Gun.


and Two River's Sir,
I was watching this programme called "Earth Matters" on Doordarshan (T.V.) which had a (confiscated) clipping of a poacher shooting down a Saras Crane. You won't believe it but the mate just stood there. Did not budge. The video shows the poacher, walk up to the mate and slit it's throat with a knife. I had goose pimples all over my arms and was rather disturbed to see the video.
I have some nice snaps of the Saras cranes. There are three pairs which live free (and protected) on my farm.

Legendary Lovers.

[TwoRivers]

Prashant: I readily believe that. When not hunted, most animals and birds do not associate humans, or shots, with danger. But often with food, and so are not cautious. It takes an experienced bird or animal to pass on the knowledge of danger.
I just heard "our" sandhill cranes calling in the back pasture. They manage to raise one to three young every year, and are a joy to watch and listen to. Cheers

[brihacharan]

Brihacharan Sir,
You forgot to mention the most popular firearm in India......The "Do Naali Bandook" .....12 Bore Double Barrel Gun.
and Two River's Sir,
I was watching this programme called "Earth Matters" on Doordarshan (T.V.) which had a (confiscated) clipping of a poacher shooting down a Saras Crane. You won't believe it but the mate just stood there. Did not budge. The video shows the poacher, walk up to the mate and slit it's throat with a knife. I had goose pimples all over my arms and was rather disturbed to see the video.
I have some nice snaps of the Saras cranes. There are three pairs which live free (and protected) on my farm.
Legendary Lovers.

Hi Prashant / Two Rivers,
> Your farm is blessed - Cranes are supposed to be the harbingers of 'Good Fortune' - The Chinese rever them and display them in their paintings.
> See the old Russian Film "The Cranes are Flying" and you'll know what I mean.
> My uncle who was the Superintendent of Police in Kerala had a 'fawn' brought to him by one of the farm workers. being a female he named it 'Nalini', which soon became a part of his family. I remember my uncle calling out to her and she would come trotting and nuzzle upto him. My heart sank when I heard a few years later that she had died as a result of a snake bite while browsing in the shrubberies close by to my uncle's house.
Cheers
Brihacharan
PS: Pardon me Prashant - I missed out on the "DO Naali Wala Bandook" - How could I!!!