Edgar Allen Poe Overseeing the Deconstruction of the Ice Rink

NEVERMORE, NEVERMORE, cry the poet and his ravens as they watch the demolition of the Wollman Rink. There is a huge area now being fenced off around the Lakeside project. Maybe a 1/2 mile of 8 ft. high chain link fence being put up, making the whole area from the east side of the lake to the road completely inaccessible, looks like for years. This includes the parking lot and the BBQ area. It took over a year to do the little bit they did last year, and this is 5 times as much space. "Lakeside is coming" the sign reads - resonating like "The British are coming" of "The Martians are coming," and sounding very threatening. The picnic tables and BBQ stuff are piled up in one area. Wonder if they'll be thrown out or re-used? And I think I spotted the little area of 8 shrubs that hundreds of geese had to die to preserve.

On a cheerier note, we went along to check on the old swan nest from last year, and, surprise, surprise, Mama and Papa were there, doing the exact same thing! The nesting area doesn't look like much, maybe because the water level is high, maybe because the phragmites have not started their spring growth, which does give a sort of solid floor effect.

Another nice sign of spring: TWO soccer games plus the Ultimate Frisbee game going on this morning! The soccer players were less wrapped and showing a little leg, a nice harbinger of spring.

And speaking of the Parade grounds, 132 geese grazing on the one-and-a-half remaining grassy fields. (the other 2 1/2 are covered in plastic astroturf.) So, if they're not in the park, does this mean they will not be massacred? Or will they cover the rest of that green, natural, edible growing stuff with beautiful, slippery, nasty astroturf and call it an "improvement."

The Lullwater is still quite frozen, and there are still big patches of ice on the walkways. Some genius decided to throw the rescue ladder onto the ice, just to make sure that it's useless. I kind of hope that person does something clever, like walk out on the ice, and learns the consequences of stupidity. Like those Republicans who bitch about Government regulation, and then whine hysterically when some corporation spews toxic waste in their backyard and their children suffer.

Just an average day, with no horror stories

So, the first thing we do when we get to the park these days is go and check on the nesting swans. This seems to be the only swan family in the park these days, and we are amazingly concerned about their welfare. It feels like being an imminent parent all over again - waiting for the cygnets to hatch. I'm estimating they'll hatch sometime in May, although we really don't know, since we don't know when she started setting on them. Occasionally, I wonder to myself, "What if they never hatch." and feel quite anxious and fearful about that possibility.

Papa was exceptionally protective today - came over to us and hissed and spread his wings when we were standing on the shore. We were just trying to get close enough to take a picture of an egret hanging out there - one with grayish wings at the edges. The second picture has this egret - enlarge, and it's there. This is not the all-white one we've seen and whom we saw today by the Lullwater). A birder we stopped and asked says the grayish feathers are usually the sign of an immature egret. He also tells us that they usually don't nest here, but in Jamaica Bay or Brother Island, and that they fly miles each day to search for food.

Weather stunningly gorgeous and clear today and yesterday. A little chilly - just right for walking. We spotted a robin's nest yesterday - nice to know the eggs don't all end up on the ground. Also noted progress in the playground: large, domed structure being set up. The BBQ cages are almost finished, and they are nowhere near the playground. Don't quite understand this. There used to be a nice little BBQ grove next to the playground, so the adults could socialize while the children played in the playground. Now they are quite far from each other, and the BBQ cage seems quite unwelcoming. Maybe that's the idea? And is the fence permanent? I have noticed that no fence ever seems to come down in the park - there are falling down fences everywhere. I wonder if this is a strategy or just laziness/neglect/budget cuts.

Clean-up notes: the disgusting mess is still there, but drying out. Probably good that there's no rain for a bit. Speaking of no rain, the lake level is down slightly, and some of the mini-lakes are reduced to mud puddles. We noticed yesterday that the disgusting paper was blowing around, so I gritted my teeth and picked it up and brought it to a trash can. Luckily, we now come to the park with rubber gloves and handi-wipes, in addition to the usual plastic bags for the dog.

Another can/candle/tin foil combination in the same spot as before, this time new, with no fire burning. Took it to the trash can. If I keep removing it, will the person give up? Yesterday we (well, Ber) moved the plywood near to a trash can - someone had put it back in the water, so we dragged it further away. Not picked up yet, lying on the ground by the can.