after our saturday brunch at the well, we felt like going to check out some fishies. but when we got to the aquarium in stanley park, there was a lineup a mile long just to get in. that meant that it was going to be packed inside. the aquarium IS listed as the #1 thing to do when it's rainy outside. (although the rain had cleared up and the sun had come out)
we skipped it and walked around stanley park instead. we've been together for 2.5 years and not once have we walked around stanley park together. i prefer queen elizabeth park myself. although i did like the quasi-hugging trees at stanley park because it reminded me of the hugging trees in london's hyde park that i was so fond of.
the hugging trees of hyde park
although we didn't see fishes, dolphins, otters, sea turtles, sea lions or belugas, we did get close up with duckies, squirrels, raccoons and a flock of geese.
sean and i came across a goose that was hobbling. turns out that he got tangled up in some fishing wire. one end of the fishing wire was wrapped around one leg, the other end wrapped around the goose's neck. poor thing could not and would not be able to fly away from predators. it was sad too that his entire flock shunning him because of his now handicap. we were watching darwin's law of natural selection right in front of us.
we tried to help untangle the goose but whenever we got near it, it fluttered away from our grasp. his honks of help being ignored by hi flock. other people had tried to corner the goose too but to no avail. whereas those people gave up and walked away, sean and i couldn't in good conscience leave the goose like that. what would happen to the goose when his family flew away? he would be totally helpless if predators such as coyotes preyed on him in such a moment of weakness. so we flagged someone down at the aquarium and asked if he could call a park ranger or a vet to try to free the goose.
luckily, they did follow up on our request (we were worried it was all lip service and nothing was going to be done)
we pointed out the downed goose to the vets and tried to help them corner the bird. jackets were thrown to try to blanket the goose so we could get on top of it, but even in it's handicapped state, it was still pretty quick.
after numerous attempts, something wonderful happened. seems our last effort to capture the goose got him to snap the wire at the neck, freeing his foot and no longer being hobbled, he flew up into the sky. seeing that he was now free to fly, his whole flock followed him in flight.
the goose just moments before flying up into the sky
we were so happy that the little fella was now free. and happier still that we played a part in freeing him. perhaps it worked out for the best that we did not get to go to the aquarium, for we also had a cute encounter with a raccoon. yea, sure they can give you rabies if you get too close and threaten them, but from a healthy "stalking" distance, it's was safe enough. and entertaining.
this little fella had just climbed out of the trashbin and was munching on a chicken bone. but it wasn't enough for he woddled around more bins to forage for food.
the encounter with the raccoon made me feel like we were in a children's storybook. i could practically see the thought bubbles above his head. and it was made even more entertaining that he didn't care one iota that he was being watched or followed.
i've watched too many fantastic mr fox, benji, ace ventura movies. obviously.
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