Holden Digne of Reverence
“And to be holden digne of reverence.”*
Reverence. Devotion, esteem, respect and veneration. All nouns that are typically human descriptors but which have, more recently, been used in reference to nature, the earth and our environment.
On my way into Presqu’ile Provincial Park, and as I pulled away from the gatehouse driving along Presqu’ile Parkway, I felt an ethereal reverence for this place that I love so dearly. I was born in East York (Toronto) and raised in Scarborough (Toronto) — city girl through and through — but from my dad I learned to love, to appreciate and to be inspired by nature. From Dad’s nurturing, that ethereal reverence was born.
After a vigorous walk along the lake shore (sans camera so as to maintain speed), I settled on my favourite picnic table beside the lagoon at Calf Pasture Point to watch the birds and waterfowl, do a spot of writing and eat my picnic lunch. I had no idea that it would be a day of bewitchment, awe and wonder. Not more than ten minutes after my arrival, I glanced up and saw a couple of geese making their way into the lagoon. I almost resumed my writing but then I noticed - goslings! This is my first family of 2022:
As they were paddling, Mum and dad were über-vigilant; a snapper might try to grab one of the goslings by their feet from below, drown it and eat it for supper. Gruesome but a very real and constant threat. Gander and Dame brought their six wee goslings to the end of the lagoon and waddled out of the water, across the parking lot and driveway so that the babes might feast on the tender new grass. Whilst this wee “parade” was taking place, Dad stood guard….
….because there’s always a straggler!
Finally, all six safely on the grass, Mum feels safe to munch as well. Not Dad, though, he’s still standing guard in the middle of the driveway. Family dinner:
After a few minutes, tummies nicely full, the kiddos began to wander and explore. Mum was kept very busy trying to corral her brood and Dad’s preoccupation switched to me, and to the clicking and whirring of my camera. I stayed very still, for a good while and eventually my patience was rewarded:
Deciding I did not pose an imminent threat to his family, the Dad, very slowly (cautiously) began shepherding the goslings ever closer to my picnic table.
Once the babies were all safely on the patch of grass between me and the driveway, the gander and dame seemed happy to let them explore and they did — scattering in every possible direction — after which it was impossible to get all six in the same shot. Four of the six:
All for one and…**
Suddenly Dad sounded the alarm: Car! Mum hustled her babies towards the water, stepped in herself and Dad again kept watch (and counted?):
"Everyone into the water!"
Farewell, “First Family” and thank you for the wondrous visit we shared.
This was a very special, intimate interlude, richly imbued with the goslings’ essence - their energy, impulsiveness, playfulness and sparkle. It was an experience that added to the numinous quality of my park visit. I felt supremely honoured and departed feeling gratitude and deep reverence.
Passing the gatehouse on my way out of the park I knew — with absolute certainty — that on this occasion I’d enjoyed my full measure of this small piece of land and its inhabitants. Presqu’ile truly is holden digne of reverence!
’Til next time, y’all…
"Hey lady, whatcha doin?"
*Geoffrey Chaucer, The Canterbury Tales, and Other Poems (digne = worthy).
**Alexandre Dumas, The Three Musketeers - “All for one and one for all, united we stand divided we fall.”