Watching new leaves coming out always makes me feel young again. The trees, the shrubs, and the mosses here are so pretty and adorable. I have a particular affection towards the haircap moss and their fruit bodies, perhaps because I did a project on the plant in high school biology class.
Brightwood Park is a place of wonders. There is always something new to encounter or discover. Red-wing blackbirds are usually timid and are sensitive to human presence. This morning not only did I encounter one who allowed me to get close and take photo shots, but also the fellow performed a beautiful song for my entertainment.. After circling the pond, two female mergansers caught me in surprise and landed right in front of me. They usually appear in winter time. I hope these two attract some male ones to come here. Northern flickers are the dominating woodpeckers in the park these days. Today I saw one looking more athletic than average.
This morning when I was leaving home for Brightwood Park, I was happy to see two bird friends greeting me from a tree. Likely because of the sub-freezing temperature, we all wrapped ourselves in down jackets.
In the park, a red-bellied male woodpecker was working hard to build a new home. A female bird (identified by being less colorful) came occasionally to pat on the shoulder of the male. Near the two ponds, the root of a fallen tree appeared like a statue of a brown bear, stretching its two arms and dancing under the morning sun. The geese seemed to be using the pond as their dining table. The female one occasionally dived into the kitchen to check if breakfast was ready. A squirrel was enjoying a time of meditation, in no hurry of rushing to eat or work. After a rainy day and hearing the chilly wind roaring last night, I was curious what the park would be like, and decided to check it out shortly after 7 a.m.
The Prospect Street entrance was covered with a layer of ice. On the trail most of the accumulated water was gone and the surface looked surprisingly dry up untill the junction of the two ponds. The small pond was frozen, and the ice formed patterns near the shore. The large pond was not frozen but ice crystals could be seen on the ground near the shore. After passing the dam I took a walk toward the two-bridge trail. Here multiple areas were covered with a thin layer of ice. Spiky ice crystals could be seen in several places. The patterns of these ice crystals are relatively new to me. Growing up as a fan of war movies, to me these looked like an ammunition depot from ancient time. Instead of drying out, the wood-ear mushrooms were frozen and preserved reasonably well. Compared to yesterday, the helmet-shaped one changed its camouflage, reminding me of a contrast between those used in the North Africa battlefield and those used in the Battle of the Bulge. With some creativity and imagination, the shapes of the mushrooms can appear as faces of humans and animals, and even with facial expressions. While I was examining the mushrooms, I saw fresh animal tracks on the trail along the fence on the west border of the park. As there were no human footprints accompanying, I suspect a coyote left his or her signature shortly before I arrived. The large pond here is like a motel to Canada geese. Everyday there are tens of geese checking in and the next morning they continue their journey to the south. The surface of the pond was covered with white feathers after the geese all took off. I wonder if they are putting on new dress while they are traveling.
What was interesting this morning was two geese decided to drop out from their squadron. They seemed to want to make a home together. As I watched their intimate conversations and their wedding rituals, I sent them my best wishes for both their marriage. The large pond here is like a motel to Canada geese. Everyday there are tens of geese checking in and the next morning they continue their journey to the south. The surface of the pond was covered with white feathers after the geese all took off. I wonder if they are putting on new dress while they are traveling. What was interesting this morning was two geese decided to drop out from their squadron. They seemed wanting to make a home on the central island, and produce children here. As I watched their intimate conversations and their wedding rituals, I sent them my best wishes for both their marriage and their family building. The large pond here is like a motel to Canada geese. Everyday there are tens of geese checking in and the next morning they continue their journey to the south. The surface of the pond was covered with white feathers after the geese all took off. I wonder if they are putting on new dress while they are traveling. What was interesting this morning was two geese decided to drop out from their squadron. They seemed wanting to make a home on the central island, and produce children here. As I watched their intimate conversations and their wedding rituals, I sent them my best wishes for both their marriage and their family building.
The morning outdoor temperature was -16 degrees Farhenheit. When I left home for the park, watching the ice on my car window glass, with the rising sun in the background, the music of Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World" came across and together lightened my day. The large pond was almost completely frozen. Small animals took this opportunity to walk on the ice and march toward the central island for a special exploration. It was tempting for me but I was immediately reminded of the scene of being spanked some 60 years ago by my dad.😭 The 10th photo was taken on the bridge of the dam. The tree in the front looked like a person stretching in the bed upon waking up by the sun. In the last photo I wonder if you see a cute face on the right side in the ice. |
Chuan-Chu ChouI am a frequent visitor of Brightwood Park and enjoy sharing my discoveries. Archives
March 2024
ducks
|
LocationBrightwood Park is on the North end of Prospect Street. Go past Franklin School and look for the entrance on the left.
|
|