Of all natural patterns, the one I think that moves me most, is the sight of a flock of wild geese.
A single goose passing high overhead carries with it a sense of freedom and adventure. “He is,” in the words of Hal Borland, “the yearning and the dream, the search and the wonder, the unfettered foot and the wind’s-will wing.”
But a complete formation of geese is, for me, the epitome of wanderlust. Each one leaves me, no matter what I happen to be doing, wondering how long it will take me to pack my bags. And it’s not just migratory restlessness, the knowledge that by dawn the flock will be in other climes. I don’t feel the same way about swallows. There’s something about the goose formation itself, that arrowhead symbol of limitless horizons, that hints at appropriate and meaningful adaptation. A sense not only of going somewhere, but of doing so together in the best possible way.
Observations of geese in passage, show that they invariably adopt a “vee” formation, flying on the same level, equally spaced out but not necessarily along arms of equal length. The important thing seems to be that the vee must have an apex – that the leading bird should always have others on either side.
It has been suggested that this characteristic formation is nothing more than a simple consequence of the fact that geese have immobile eyes on the sides of their head; and that, with the beak pointed forward, the best way to keep a neighbouring bird in full view is to take up a place just behind it, either to the left or right eye side. But direct measurement of flights of Canada geese shows that the angle between the arms of the vee formation varies even in a single species between 28 and 44 degrees, which doesn’t necessarily correspond with the fixed angle of clearest focus.
Another theory suggests that the vee formation allows one goose, presumably a stronger and more experienced bird, to lead the way, cleaving a path through the air for the others. But, once again, field studies show that the leadership changes constantly and that this position, far from being reserved for wise old ganders, is in fact shared out amongst the younger and weaker members of the flock.
The answer seems to be largely aerodynamic. A recent computer study shows that there is an upwash beyond and behind the tip of a moving wing that can be useful to other birds nearby. If the spacing between wings is optimal, this saving in energy can be considerable. For instance, a formation of twenty-five birds can, just by adopting the most favourable formation, increase their effective range by 71 per cent.
And this seems to be precisely what happens. Travelling geese usually fly in groups of around twenty individuals and invariably adopt a vee formation. If they flew in line abreast on a common front, the birds in the centre would enjoy twice as much uplift as the ones on the ends of the line. But as soon as the line is bent backwards, the ones at the rear begin to pick up additional upwash from all those in front, which effectively cancels out most of the disadvantage of their position. And as they travel, other small inequities which may exist are dealt with by regular and democratic changes of place.
– Lyall Watson, Beyond Supernature: A New Natural History of the Supernatural
Notes:
Live & Learn 
Love this, and what it entails.
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yes, me too Sawsan. And he describes what I feel when the v formation flies overhead.
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This reminded me of the detailed description of the aerodynamics of this formation from Apeirogon by Colum McCann,
“While in flight, birds position themselves in order to gain lift from the bird in front. As it flies, the leading bird pushes down the air with its wings. The air is then squeezed around the outer edge of the wings so that, at the tip of the wing, the air moves and an upwash is created. By flying at the wing tip of the bird in front, the follower rides the upwash and preserves energy. The birds time their wingbeats carefully, resulting sometimes in a V-shape, or a J, or an inversion of one or the other. In storms and crosswinds the birds adapt and create new shapes—power curves and S-formations and even figure eights.”
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Wow. I was thinking this morning I read a similar passage elsewhere but could not NOT put me finger on where. Thank you!
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Thanks, that’s fascinating…somehow can imagine being one of them…
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Right! What a thrill…
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I’m trying to recall how I feel when the V formation flies overhead. I feel small in a good way. I’m reminded of how someone else is the protector of times even when I’m not paying attention. Like, even when winter or summer temps arrive late, they stick to a schedule, kinda like you DK.
The feeling I experience the most intensely when I hear the wing flap of a bird, especially pigeons, doves, Sparrows, swallows, is a different register.
Shiver up the spine making my ribcage expand, and I can truly take a deep, deep breath. Miracle, all of it.
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The moment of surrender is the moment you choose to lose control of your life, the split second of powerlessness where you trust that some kind of “higher power” better be in charge, because you certainly aren’t. — Bono, “Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story by Bono” (Knopf, November 1, 2022)
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This split second is Bliss.
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And I feel this when they fly over: Shiver up the spine making my ribcage expand, and I can truly take a deep, deep breath. Miracle, all of it.” Didn’t use it. Do now. Exactly this.
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Reblogged this on It Is What It Is and commented:
“Of all natural patterns, the one I think that moves me most, is the sight of a flock of wild geese.” — – Lyall Watson, Beyond Supernature: A New Natural History of the Supernatural.
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Lovely photos!
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Thank you!
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I live on a river above which geese, Great Blue Herons, and metal flying machines align themselves. I hear the geese going, and I hear them coming back. Both ways, 39 years in, I drop everything and hurry to the door as if I’d never seen or heard them! It is mostly all miracle. 😊
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Beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
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Mother Nature never ceases to wow…💕
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Yep…
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I love hearing them when they fly over close to our house.
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me too, always a moment to stop and listen and take it all in.
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ah, to fly with the wind-
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Right!
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Reminded me of the incredible film, “Winged Migration.” Hope everyone has seen it (2001). Gave me a deep appreciation of the lives of birds.
Beautiful photos this am…like a time lapse of amber to flame color.
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Thank you Valerie. I need to check out that film. Appreciate the heads up.
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Wow!
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Right!!
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This…He is,” in the words of Hal Borland, “the yearning and the dream, the search and the wonder, the unfettered foot and the wind’s-will wing.” arguably the soul of humankind. The physics of their formation are fascinating too, and aerodynamic enough to tease Boeing engineers. I loved this, Dave…
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Thanks Mimi. So me too!
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Truly a miracle. All of it.
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what a beautifully colored sky…
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Thank you Jim!
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youa re welcome, David!
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