As I rode the slow bus south on Lake Shore Drive today, I couldn't help but stare out the west windows through the 1/2 inch coating of snow and ice and salt and smog and general urban grime that covers the bus.As we approached the southern end of Diversey Harbor, I noticed something quite funny. Maybe it was just me.
There were hundreds of geese huddled on the patches of ice that floated throughout the water. Most of the harbor is solid, but there were huge parts that had either broken free, or never fully froze for whatever reason.
The geese were all crowded around, hanging out, just chilling along the edges of the unfrozen parts (in my mind huddling to stay warm), but I did see one or two lone birds swimming in the water. Remember, it was 0 degrees as I left for work at 7:30 this morning...not exactly a balmy swim.
The one or two lone birds—what's their story? Are they rebels? Early adopters? Polar Plunge '08 contestants? Peer pressured into taking a dip? Pushed in by the Bully Goose?
I could almost hear the other geese taunting them..."Go on, you funny-feathered wimps! Get in! It can't be THAT cold!"
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