The containers are breeding!!!

Well, it certainly looks like it! The two containers that were put on that nice spot where I thought there's be some pretty landscaping are now THREE containers. Is this going to continue? Will that whole pretty little road become with lined with containers and port-a-potties (which are a few feet away)? Where does it come from, this tendency to take any nice green, wooded spot in the city, and cover it with man-made crap. I guess I should count myself lucky that the whole park hasn't been covered with concrete.

Other than that, it was yet another gorgeous fall day. Sun shining, perfect temperature, leaves glinting with bits of gold, red, and yellow amongst the green. Water fowl mostly in the middle of the lake today, enjoying the sun.

Well, almost mostly. One young family arrived to feed them, about 30 feet away from a "Please do not feed the wild life" sign. At first, it was just the seagulls that came swooping in. Their noise and activity attracted everyone else - swans, ducks, geese, pigeons, cormorants, everyone. It reminded me a teeny bit of a scene in Hitchcock's "The Birds." A little terrifying. The family seemed to feel the same way, because they really slowed down on the feeding at that point. Any way the "don't feed" message gets across is fine with me.

Off to the Sean Casey Shelter's Halloween party with JJ in costume. Pictures tomorrow, along with the usual sarcasm.

Migrating Canada Geese

Regal, silent, and determined, three V's of migrating Canada geese flew overhead into the park this morning, just as I was getting there. About 20 - 30 in all. They landed over by the Peninsula, separate from the other geese on the Lake. Wonder if they are just stopping for a travel break, or if they plan to stay. Wish I could warn them about what happens to geese who decide to stay. When JJ and I got to the Peninsula meadow, she ran over to the spot where the newcomers arrived, she went and barked at them, and they flew off to another part of the lake.

Which reminds me of a supposed plan to expand dog areas to ward off the geese that I mentioned last week. According to a commenter, this is not so. This commenter says they are on the Committee studying the issue. Says there is NO new Parks policy yet, that they are not expanding the dog run times/places, and there is no reason for the birders and doggers to be at odds. Good to know. He/she says that the Prospect Park Wildlife Management Advisory Committee (PPWMAC) will be issuing recommendations in the next few weeks, and that these recommendations will be in accordance with the Humane Society. I can't wait to see these recommendations. It will be nice to report some facts in addition to the usual rumor, innuendo, and hearsay.

The Lake seemed particularly full of birds today. Some cormorants, a lot of ducks. All 7 swans were near the Peninsula, feeding off the phragmites. The cygnets are about 1/2 white-feathered now. Papa and Grandpa were having a little tussle, with much spreading of wings and attitude. A couple of the dogs went towards them, but not too close. Just enough to show their owners that they were doing their job of protecting them, without getting close enough to face the wrath of the protective male swan.

Saw Anne and Ed today, whom I haven't seen in a while. Anne found a big handful of fish hooks, lines, etc. She didn't get the Brooklyn Do-gooder award, but was very pleased to be one of the finalists.

The Fishing Line in the Tree Mystery

Huge numbers of people and dogs on this gorgeous Saturday. We went up Lookout Hill, where I hadn't been in some time. Looking quite clean and well-kempt. Only one crack bag and sweet cigar, and that was way on the other side, down near the Nethermead.

We were wondering how the fishing got caught in the tree, as photographed a few days ago. Mystery solved yesterday. Ber and JJ went to the park without me, and there were a bunch of kids throwing fishing line into the trees. Why, we'll never know, but Ber sat on a bench and they ran away at the sight of an adult. Ber picked up all the line, and hopefully they'll find some other, less dangerous to bird, amusement. No photos, though.

The ducks seem to be pairing off. The beautiful male mallards are back. Well, actually, as I learn more about birds, I have learned that they never went away. It seems that they molt off all those lovely teal feathers every year, then grow them back. So now they are chasing after the females, their head bobbing rhythmically as they go. The females stay in front, maintaining the same distance from a particular male, looking in every direction but back at her suitor. Some are already coupled off, others are in a big group by the Boathouse.

The snow goose seems to have taken up permanent residence in the Lullwater. Looks like it has joined up with the ducks there. I also found a net on a stick by the Lullwater. Used for turtles? frogs? fish? Don't know, but I didn't leave it where I found it.

We also met two ratting beagles on the Lullwater path. Their owner says they killed one yesterday, and thinks Bloomberg should offer a bounty of $10 per rat tail. At first, I thought it was a great idea. But you know New York. People will start raising rats for the tails.

I just loved the idea of the trash cans open and ready for business that we passed on the way to the park.

Beautiful blue heron

It was a blustery day today, as Disney's version of Winnie the Pooh used to say. And there, standing quite calmly by the side of the lake, was a big, beautiful blue heron. I got within 10 feet of him, but no closer as I didn't want to scare him away. Previous heron sightings have always been across the water, and hard to see. This one was right at the lake edge by the path. AND he was not standing stock still, as I've always seen him before, but walking up and down, checking everything out.

Met up with Ed, who saw the snow goose on the Lullwater. Nice to know it is staying around. While talking, we saw a flying swan high overhead. It was moving way too fast for me to get a picture. We're not sure if it was a local or visiting swan. Quite possibly visiting, since it was very high up and headed out of the park. Maybe a visitor from Gateway, where I hear they also have swans.

I am pleased to report that Anne-Katrin is one of the 20 finalists in the Brooklyn Do-Gooder contest. Now a panel will select the top 5 Do-Gooders. Other Park people that we talked to think that the ultimate choices will be political decisions. Anne-Katrin, like so many of us who report on what's going on in the Park, is often regarded as a bit of a trouble-maker, so we are not optimistic about her winning. That's as nice a way as I can possibly put it.

I got a comment about the "birders vs. dog-lovers" disagreement that I mentioned the other day. Full disclosure: I am a dog owner and a member of FIDO. I never had much interest in bird-watching, although that is changing, what with the excitement of all the swans, geese, ducks, herons, etc. in the Park. I hear (rumor, innuendo and hearsay dept.) that some of the birders really hate the dog people. Hope that's not true. I really feel that there's plenty of room for all of us to enjoy the park.

Unfortunately, these big vehicles I saw the other day were not doing the landscaping that I had hoped. They just made room for big storage containers to be parked in the woods rather than on the road. I really hate the way plants are always the first thing to be sacrificed in the name of.....??? organization ??? efficiency ??? what ??? wouldn't it be nice if sometime concrete was the first thing to be sacrificed?

Just when everything seems so peaceful...

Very peaceful in the park today. Overcast sky, on the verge of rain. We could see the entire swan family across the lake, gliding along in one perfect line, around the Peninsula, up the Lullwater, to the Boathouse. Other than that, the lake seems very quiet and empty. Hardly any people or dogs, probably because the weather is almost inclement. I really miss the geese.

Big machines cleaning up assorted tree detritus on by the road near Peninsula. They were taking away rubble and adding topsoil, presumably for future plantings. I was surprised not to see small boys and their care-takers.

So then Tony (head of FIDO) arrived at Peninsula meadow with one of his dogs, Fanny. Poor Jupiter, his other dog, bumped into his stove and got scalded by boiling water. He's at the vet and will hopefully be okay.

Anyway, we were talking, and it turns out there is not peace in the park these days. Seems the birders are upset with the FIDO people because of the Park department's recent decision to allow more off-leash times/places. This sounds too complicated. Let me start again: According to Tony, the Parks Dept. is going to make more off-leash times or places (I'm not sure) as a geese-prevention measure. This is one of the things that Seattle did to make the geese unwelcome and stop their population explosion. This was not FIDO's doing. And in fact, it hasn't actually happened yet. One wonders if it ever will, what with the Parks Dept.'s reputation for reliability and all (not good). The birders do not like this idea, feeling that the off-leash dogs scare away the birds. The little area near the Peninsula, right by the new Barbecue Plaza, is a VERY popular area for bird-watching. It's right by the woods of Lookout Hill, dense and full of birds. Anyway, we'll see what happens.

Sweater days and Snow Goose

Brisk and breezy and a sweater day in the park, at least for the dogs. So many small dogs in their winter wear! The hot pink sweater on the little gray dog is actually insulated. Missed a shot of a navy mohair cable stitch number - the dog was just running way too fast.

JJ of course, is growing her own sweater. Her fur is starting to look quite shaggy, although it's only about halfway grown in since the summer short cut. Even the swans are spreading their wings to provide a sweater effect. And those long haired collies and sheepdogs that we see finally look dressed for the weather.

Another sign of winter: the bird that I thought was a visiting white duck turns out to be a snow goose! They live in the Arctic in the summer - Northern Canada and Alaska, and fly south in the winter. They mate for life, so I suspect our visitor is quite young, being a singleton. I thought it was a duck because the neck is not particularly long. Long neck = goose, short neck = duck. That's how I know the difference. Actually, I only learned that a couple of years ago - never had the good birding skills. Anyway, he/she/it hangs out with the ducks. Yesterday and today it was in the Lullwater with mallards (see picture). They were sunning themselves on a nice big branch in the water. I tried to sneak quietly down to the water and get a close picture, but they all swam to the middle. They may have also been attracted to the man feeding the birds. Does anyone read the "Please do not feed the wildlife" signs?

Another sign of approaching winter: looks like they are preparing to put up the tennis bubble house. Seems so soon!

The Parade Grounds were absolutely full, hundreds of people. Must have been 30 teams of kids playing and practicing - soccer, rugby, football. So cute to see the football players - all those boys with matchstick legs and giant shoulders (the pads).

So many pictures today, so I'm using the small size. Remember: clicking on them makes them nice and large.

Visiting duck, beautiful fall

Here's a pretty good shot of the new visiting duck. It's all white, and quite large. I wonder if it's an escapee from one of the Long Island duck farms. Hmmm - are there still Long Island Duck farms? There were many of them when I was a kid, but I suspect many have been replaced by housing developments. This is my new camera, a replacement for the one I lost on vacation. It seems pretty good, and hopefully will last at least until next summer's big vacation.

Fantastic fall colors in the park right now - just a few trees, really standing out in contrast with the greenery.

Interesting fishing line caught in a tree. It comes straight up from the water, and is looped over a branch of a tree by a stick tied to its end. Sadly, it looks impossible to get from the shore. Hopefully none of the birds will strangle themselves on it before the Parks Dept. takes action.

Raccoons killed while escaping!!

Yet another beautiful fall day, this one with a little bit of crispness in the air. There was a family feeding the ducks and swans, a mere 20 feet from the sign saying that people should not feed the wildlife. It has always been true that we in the glorious People's Republic of Brooklyn are not good at listening to directions. Signaling to change lanes is virtually extinct in this borough, the sad history of the founder of Vox Pop (stealing electricity rather than buying, not bothering to pay inconvenient taxes,) and the local constitutional right to make a u-turn in the middle of the block, are but a few examples.

There's a new addition to the park! A white duck seems to have come to stay. We don't know what kind of duck it is, but Anne says she'll do the research and find out what species it is.

Anne, by the way, is running in the Brooklyn Do-Gooder contest. We're scrupulously voting for her every day and hope that everyone she knows does also. Her full name is Anne-Katrin Titze. The site is: http://www.dogoodrighthere.org/

Anyway, the park is beautiful, but there were two dead raccoons NOT in the Park. I wonder if this is a result of overcrowding or wanderlust, but there were 2 dead ones. One on Parkside Avenue, near Ocean,. The other was on the corner of Beverley and Stratford.

Raccoon gone, maggots remain

Another stunningly beautiful day in the park, so much so that I got nervous. This seems to be permanent reaction to stunningly beautiful days, ever since 9/11, which was just such a stunningly beautiful day, weather-wise, but let's not go there today. They were setting up for filming a commercial at the Peninsula meadow. Lots of lighting and camera gear and the stunt flowers. Tony said it was for a Bulgarian shampoo, so we guessed that the models with the long flowing hair will arrive later. Well, maybe the feline models - we noticed that the equipment bins were marked "Cat's Eye Shampoo," which seems to be cat hair shampoo.

The dead raccoon was finally gone, but the maggots remain - not a great clean-up job. This is worrisome because all kinds of small children arrive at Peninsula Meadow after 9 AM when the dogs leave. Strollers and toddlers, and I don't think their care-givers want them to play with maggots.

The e-mail chatter about the dead raccoon was something. If these people put 1/2 the time into doing their jobs as they do e-mailing about it...Here's how it went:

10 AM Wednesday: Ber e-mailed P.J. Greiner, Maura Hegarty, P. Pereria and E. Patron, all of the Parks. Dept., about the existence and location of the dead raccoon. These are names of people we got last winter, when there seemed to be a plague of dead animals. "Let us know, we can take care of it," they all said. Greiner is out until 10/16, Pereria is on a 6 months leave of absence as of 9/19, and Patron never replied at all. Hegarty forwarded the e-mail to the Sarah Aucoin of the Urban park Rangers at 10:13 (very promptly!).

2:14: Aucoin e-mailed Eugene Patron (who had ignored Ber's original e-mail) asking if this was the same raccoon found on Monday. Patron immediately (at 2:34) e-mailed one Josephine Pittari wondering what Sarah was talking about and if there was more than one dead raccoon this week.

3:38 (still Wednesday): Pittari e-mailed and cc's the following people: Mark Levit, Venice Smith, Tupper Thomas, Sarah Aucoin, Anna Wong, John Jordan, M. Coba, Eugene Patron, E. Landau, and Ber asking that 1) the dead raccoon be found and picked up and 2) the earlier report of a dead raccoon turned out to be a dead rat.

As mentioned yesterday, dead raccoon was still in situ at 9:00 Thursday, demarcated by two orange traffic cones.

Thursday, 4:53 PM: Pittari e-mails everyone that the dead raccoon was located, but was too deteriorated to be tested. The maggots are not mentioned.

Kudos to Ms. Pittari, who actually did something. Do any of these people ever come out of their offices to look at the park?

We took two dogs - JJ and Chewy to the Park today, and everyone had a great time.

Fall, dead raccoon, and the swan family parade

A perfect fall day yesterday. The tips of some trees are starting to change color, and an invigorating spirit in the air. We saw the swan family, gliding in single file from the lake, around the Peninsula, and up to the lullwater. It was a fine day for a family expedition.

Alas, there was a dead raccoon on the Peninsula. When we got back, Ber e-mailed 4 people in the Parks Dept, asking for the results of the rabies testing. They are supposed to test every dead raccoon - it's their policy. BUT, when there was a dead raccoon last year, it was not tested. After many e-mails asking about the results of any rabies testing, Ber finally got a response saying that, although such testing is their policy, the Park workers who took the raccoon away didn't know about it. Sounds like the tree falling in the empty forest. If the people who are supposed to carry out the policy don't know about it, does the policy really exist? Anyway, today the raccoon was still there, maggots and all, but there were two orange cones demarcating it.

The Vanderbilt Playground is finally open, and there were a couple of kids playing in it. The most exciting part is a sort of geodesic dome climber, with a network of rope inside for climbing. Looks great! Can't wait to see kids on it. Years ago,I took my kids to Sesame Place, where they have (had?) a huge network of rope ladders, tunnels, etc., for climbing. I had as much fun as they did.

Not sure when I can bring pictures back. My computer got invaded and crashed. I'm now on an old laptop and gradually learning how to use it. My fabulous daughter is trying to resuscitate the desktop. We'll see. If she can't we'll either get a new one or wipe the hard-drive clean and install Linux, which I will have to learn. Luckily, I'd backed it up a few weeks ago, so all is not lost, just temporarily unavailable.

Amazing, the problems of modern technology that were inconceivable some years ago. I remember 1976, when my geek husband and I went to a computer convention in Atlantic City (pre-gambling, really cheap and shabby). I had a nice time horseback riding on the beach, but couldn't understand Ber's enthusiasm. After all, I thought, why would ANYONE want a computer in their home? Moral: Don't look to me for investment advice. Oh, there was a squeaky-voiced nerd named Bill Gates there, who took the stage to yell at everybody for using his BASIC program and not sending him royalties. Never heard from him again, LOL.

Perfect fall day

Perfect, beautiful fall day in the park today. Blue sky, a bit of wind, just cool enough for a nice cozy hoodie, and dry, dry, dry! JJ was in seventh heaven running across the Peninsula Meadow, and I did a bit of running myself - leg is completely rehabilitated, but I don't want to mess it up.

The park seemed quite full of people. Some Tai Chi'ers by the lakeside - beautiful living mobiles, a bike race, ginkgo nut gatherers, and lots and lots of dogs and their owners.

The three generation swan family has settled by the lake again. grandpa, Mama and Papa, the four cygnets, who now have substantial splotches of white feathers. I may be anthropomorphizing to refer to them in this way, but if that's the worst thing I do, I'm a saint. There's also an American coot (a small, black duck, not a senior citizen) who's come to the lake - supposedly a harbinger of a cold winter. Hope so. The honeymooning children returned from the Alaskan cruise with a genuine Russian fur hat for Ber, and we want to make sure he gets to wear it.

Ginkgo gatherers are rampant. They are all Asian, and they take the nuts. I often see small groups of women with their plastic sacks, but today the men were out. One was using a stick to knock some fruit down. They take the nuts out from the fruit while in the park, leaving the pulp behind. It's the pulp that smells, supposedly to keep animals from eating the nuts. The women seem to take the whole thing, probably doing the depulping at home. Interesting gender difference.

Met a nice couple down from New Paltz for the bike race, really enjoying the off-leash hour with their little dog. If you could capture the dog's joy in a bottle, you'd have the product of the century! Sadly, there seemed to be an accident in the race. I don't think there was a serious injury, but rider and bike were each taken off in their specific "ambulances." This was on the hill coming down the west side of the park. Incredibly exciting when I was younger, now terrifying that I'm at an age where I know I could actually get hurt.

Too wet for JJ

This is a first! JJ absolutely refuses to go off the porch, much less to the park, today. Tropical Storm Nicole is forcing us into, hopefully, short break from my return to the park. This summer, most of my front lawn and a lot of the back died from the drought. Now it seems we are getting all that rain all at once! Will it be enough to bring back the three yellow azalea bushes I put in back in June? Probably not, but at least I should get a few more cucumbers. I did water the little vegetable patch, so they didn't die, just slowed down.

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We did manage to drag JJ two houses down, but no further. Did her business and looked at us as if to say, "What, are you nuts?"