flip-flop-flap

I was doing my seawall workout this morning, being completely ignored by a gaggle of grazing Canadian geese. They were completely oblivious to my actions, true city birds, entirely unruffled by my presence. They were, however, very much in tune with their leader. The scattering of geese on the grass and upon the paved path seemed entirely random to me, but upon the signal of a single "Honk!" they took their positions as if a choreographer was directing each bird. They shuffled into formation and marched in one direction, gathering on the paved path, stepping left-right-left to another part of the recreation area, in a perfect line. One honk, and then the flip-flop-flap sound of sixty webbed feet shuffling along the sandy sidewalk. I closed my eyes to take in the sound of it. It was remarkable. Such gentle but sure purpose, wholly shared by a gaggle of thirty individuals, instigated by one word. Remarkable.