“Gritz” The Intrepid Eagle of Little Whale Cove was on his usual fly by, high above Little Whale Cove on this early morning. The sky was clear and the sun was just rising from the east….
When the sun peaks up, just above the Cove cliff, Gritz knows it’s the right time to go into Matt “n Mattie’s nest for a meal. Mattie keeps her newly hatched Goslings warm and safe from Gritz, she supposed…
At just the right moment, when the sun is blinding eyes in the nest, Gritz made his move. He flew in fast, diving with stealthy precision…
This was a long planned attack by Gritz, on his all time favorite delicacy, the sweet meat of little Goslings nesting in the rocks by the shore. Matt was enrooute, returning with breakfast for the new little ones, while Mattie waited with anticipation…
Sadly, Mattie was killed instantly! The sharp and powerful arrow like beek of Gritz, charging into the nest with precision, was all Mattie could bear. The little Goslings, completely unawares of what was happening, were instantly scooped up and taken away.
Gritz, like all predator Hawks and Eagles are the biggest threat to nesting Canadian Honkers in the Cove. Each year there is a high risk that at least some if not all of the little Goslings are taken from Matt ‘n Mattie’s nest, hidden in a nook or cranny in the rocks near the shore…
We are all saddened for Matt. He is now alone and grieving. He came close to me yesterday. I sobbed and wished to hug and hold him, but he just wanted to be close to kindness and love…
In times like this it’s tough to be alone. “Old George” my Western Gull pal, showed up with his clan to comfort Matt. But, our Honker neighbors from Big Whale Cove flew in suddenly, busted up the the hugging and loving peer support group of friendly seabirds near the shore…
This is the way of nature and survival in the Cove, and everywhere on the coast in the spring. We dream of the beauty, peace and love of our seabirds and wildlife who thrive in the Cove.
It is these times we need love even more. It is in these times of sadness and pain, we need each other even more…
Matt will hang with us for awhile while he grieves for Mattie. He will meet his neighbors and fly back north to the Aleutians for another winter, while he finds another life long mate like Mattie, his beloved mate for life…
Matt ‘n Mattie will return next spring to bring new life to the Cove again. Gritz will be waiting nearby in the Eagle nest, hidden high in the trees near the shore…
But, Matt ‘n Mattie will have a new nest this time, hidden in the rocks where there is shade from the blinding early morning sun…
Little Goslings will come again to Little Whale Cove next spring. We know this to be true. For love thrives in the Cove…
Children and Families in Life After Trauma
