By Roxanne Drury
This morning, beyond my kitchen window, I witnessed the most phenomenal thing I have ever seen. I have been around for over 73 years, so that tells you just how amazing it must have been. Or perhaps my life has been rather boring. Either way, I hope your interest is piqued.
Glancing out the kitchen window, I saw what looked like snow in the harvested field across the street. Snow? There was no snow anywhere else! Suddenly, the ‘snow’ moved. And just as suddenly, I heard rather than saw an extremely large flock of loud, honking white birds overhead heading for the ‘snow’.
Grabbing my phone despite the cold, I promptly dashed out of the house and across the street to see what I could see, as they say. I could not believe my eyes. Hundreds, if not thousands, of snow-white birds graced the field, no doubt looking for scraps for breakfast. The sight left me astonished, not only by the beauty of the scene but also by the Creator. Wow!
Zooming in on the sight with my phone, I discovered via AI that they are Ross’s geese. They were once considered rare, but no longer. Their pinkish beaks and black-tipped wings mark them. They have larger heads and shorter necks than their sister species, the snow goose. They typically call Canada home, migrating as the cold weather sets in. They feed on grasses, sedges, and small grains. All this, along with the fact that our home is a hop, skip, and jump from the Snake River, makes it clear why they would take a pit stop in Wilder, Idaho. Lucky me!
After observing them for a bit and snapping a few pictures, I returned to the house to reflect on what I had just seen. How did they know where to land for breakfast? How did so many birds stay together? Was there a leader of the flock? Who were they following? How long had they been traveling before finding a landing spot? How did they know when to move? I had so many questions.
I peered out the kitchen window again to see if they were still there. They were, but it looked like someone had given the signal to move. A few took flight. I quickly grabbed my phone again and headed across the street to capture on video what thousands of birds in flight might look like. It took only 57 seconds for the entire flock to take wing and move to the other end of the field. It was a magnificent sight, and very, very loud with honking and the flutter of wings. It was mesmerizing. How did they do that? I had trouble getting 15 preschoolers to line up or sit in a circle.
There could be only one explanation: God created them that way. In my reading about Ross’s geese, I found this to be exactly correct. They are naturally attuned to the weather, their environment, predators, and each other.
What I found most interesting was the social dynamics of the flock of geese. In an article by James Murray dated November 19, 2025, he lists three social factors that dictate how and when a flock takes off: Leader Behavior, Flock Cohesion, and Communication. Regarding the leader, Murray said, “The lead goose, usually an experienced adult, often initiates the takeoff sequence. Others follow, creating a ripple effect.”
The geese follow their leader. Who do we follow? We are all following someone or something. Following Jesus, the King and leader, is the only right answer. That may be a controversial statement, but it is true. When we follow Jesus with all our heart and soul, it shows we trust Him enough to follow. Like the geese, we can trust our leader, Jesus, to know when it is time to move or when danger lies ahead, and to follow Him on the path that is right, safe, and joy-filled.
I am reminded of how God Himself led the Israelites in a cloud and a pillar of fire in Exodus.
When we wholeheartedly follow our leader, Jesus, it creates a ripple effect. Matthew 5:16 calls it shining our light for all to see. It says, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” We show who we follow in the way we live. How we act, what we say, and the choices we make show others what it means to follow Jesus. We must ask ourselves: “When people look at how I live, what would they say I care about, and who or what do I follow?”
Murray explains that “a strong unified flock is more likely to take off together than a fragmented one.” We are one in Christ as Christ followers. Jesus said, “Abide in me and I in you” (Matthew 15:4). David Jeremiah shares, “When Jesus said these words, He invited us into a living, breathing relationship with Him – a bond rooted in trust, obedience, and love.” Like the geese, we are created for a similar kind of relationship with our leader, Jesus. I have since this day seen several flocks of these geese; some form perfect V flight patterns, others not so much…just sayin’.
Murray admits that the ‘communication’ piece of the flock flight readiness “is not fully understood; it is known that the geese use vocalization and body language to signal readiness and coordinate their takeoff.” Keeping ourselves deeply rooted in the Word of God fosters obedience, love, and an unfragmented relationship with Him. It gives us the guidance, support, and encouragement to take off on the paths God has for us.
Honestly, who knew we could learn so much about spiritual growth from migrating geese? What if we applied it to our marriages? Or our work places? And what do we do with this information?
This article uses the natural behavior of Ross’s geese as a metaphor for spiritual growth and community. If you want to apply these “flock dynamics” to your own life, here are several practical next steps you can take:
Sometimes looking beyond the kitchen window is an eye-opening, amazing experience; other times, you just see the trash cans. Either way, there is a lesson to be seen if you look hard enough. The lesson is in the eye of the beholder.
Roxanne Drury is a wife, mother, grandmother, and retired Christian preschool teacher who served the Lord in children’s ministry for over 45 years. She has written a group study guide on Psalm 23, as well as other books. She may be reached at glorylandbooks@gmail.com.
