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.

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.