Poor sad turtle

We've been eagerly looking for the first turtle of the year to come out of hibernation. Last year, we were thrilled to see so many sunning themselves on various tree branches and rocks all around the lake. They're especially easy to spot now, before the trees and shrubs leaf out and hide them from view. Well, sad story, we did see a huge turtle, and he was quite dead. Hope this is just a sign of an old turtle and not a harbinger of things to come. We found him in Candleman's corner. I know it's not legal to take live animals from the park, but don't know the law about dead ones. But I would like to have the shell.

Maybe it hasn't been warm enough yet for the turtles to come out. Certainly today it felt like winter was back - rough water and a stiff breeze off the lake. The dogs were very happy. So many this morning! Well, it's Saturday and storms are coming, so guess everyone got their dogs out while they could.

No signs of dead plant life on Lookout Hill, but there were 5 crack bags, 2 condom wrappers, and a quarter and a penny. Signs of spring, I guess, like the geese who are going around in pairs. Again, very few pairs of birds on the lake. Last year's swan nest spot does not look like it is reusable. I suspect the birds are all nesting at the other end of the lake, where it's fenced off for this Lakeside Project and people can't get in to see or bother them.

And a group of very energetic people practicing some kind of aerobic/kick boxing thing on the bridge near the Nethermead. Looked like fun!

News from the FIDO front

B. reporting today, since I decided to have a late lie-in, which was quite wonderful. Anyway, he ran into Tony in the Nethermead (Tony is usually at the Peninsula). Tony had some news about the new Parks boss, Emily Lloyd, who replaces the very-close-to-the chest Tupper Thomas. He thinks Ms. Lloyd is much more straightforward, and will give answers like, "I don't know about that" and "I can't do anything about that," rather than make up things and hope you are satisfied. She decided to quit smoking since smoking became banned in the Park, which is wonderfully non-hypocritical. Full disclosure: I think I know Ms. Lloyd very slightly - I think her son and my daughter went to what was then Woodward Park School together back in the 90's.

There's also talk of a dog run, available 24/7. I assume this will be in addition to the off-leash hours, not instead of. Bad news: one of the suggested areas is the top of Lookout Hill. NO NO NO!!! It's a people area, quite and lovely and scenic. And a primo place for the serious runners to get their workout. They would not be happy to be barked at by going past a dog run. Maybe I should stop doing the crack bag count. Maybe it gives the wrong impression of Lookout Hill? I adore dogs, but that is NOT the place for a dog run. Maybe the western side of the Nethermead, at the bottom of Lookout Hill.

We meet a parrot

According to a Writing teacher on NPR some months ago, you are never supposed to start writing by describing weather, as in the often-made-fun-of "It was a dark and stormy night." But the weather is so much a part of the park experience, it's impossible not to acknowledge it. Overcast, warm, humid this morning. It felt like an imminent storm. But the gray cleared to blue, and the storm hasn't happened...yet - it's mid-afternoon now and I think I just heard the faint sound of distant thunder. We skipped the park yesterday - those doctor's appointments! - but it must have been great. All the trash cans are overflowing with picnic detritus. What a shame they can't empty them between Saturday and Sunday. The raccoons will have a field day tonight, and Monday should be a giant mess.

Nesting swan was setting peacefully, with Papa patrolling nearby, looking suspiciously at a fisherman, but not hissing. The lake level is down a bit more, so I could climb up a downed tree to get a better view.

The stairs up to Lookout hill revealed 11 crack bags, including the cute little unicorn style, and several dozen cans and bottles. Many were the little half-size water bottles that the joggers drink. They weigh maybe 1/4 of an ounce. Would it be so much trouble to carry them to a trashcan??????????? Come on joggers and runners. You are not high on rum, vodka, beer or crack and have no excuse not to clean up after yourselves. Do I sound like your mother? Do you listen to your mother? ...There was also a guitar on top of Lookout Hill. We left it there - it's still there if anyone would like it. Just waiting for a friendly musician.

Yes, I do find it odd to call a crack bag cute, but there it is.

There was a man walking his 16 year old Amazonian parrot and his old service dog. All 3 were very friendly. The parrot will live to be 90! He's named either Buttons or The Anti-Christ, depending on who is talking to him. He's on a leash, although he will fly and come back when he is not on the leash. Some kids got him and pulled his feathers out one time, so the owner is quite protective, with good reason. He will eat little parakeets when he can, but not little boys.

All in all, just a beautiful day in the park.