Hawaiian Goose
10 February 2008
A long time ago some migrating Canadian geese were caught in a severe storm
and blown off course. They probably spent several days flying over the
ocean with no land in sight. Exhausted and starving, they got extremely lucky and found
an island thousands of miles from their intended destination. For
generations they have survived on this island, losing their old ways
and evolving new ways. Now their descendants are called
Nēnē
and they are Hawaii's state bird. They are unique to Hawaii and are
the world's rarest goose.
This isn't the best picture, it was windy and late after a long day.
We were at Jaggar museum at Volcanoes National Park
right as it was closing. I overheard a tourist asking the ranger if
he knew where he could see a Nene. The tourist had been looking everywhere
but hadn't seen one yet. Unfortunately the ranger couldn't help because the
Nenes are wild so they come and go as they please. The tourist was obviously
sad and a bit frustrated. I know how he felt, sometimes I will be really
looking forward to something and things just don't work out. He would probably
never be back to the island and never again have a chance to see a Nene.
Minutes later, after the museum had closed and almost everyone had
left, we spotted some Nenes walking across the parking lot. I looked
around but the tourist was nowhere to be found, he had probably already
left. I took a few pictures of my own then got in the car to head
home. As we pulled out of the parking lot I saw the tourist coming out
of the bathroom. He saw the Nenes and his grin was gigantic.
Sometimes things work out after all.
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