​October 21
Today I came to the park in both early morning and the afternoon.  The ducks were more active than usual and kept dancing.  A few geese were watching and feeling itchy.  So was I.

A chipmunk had its mouth and pouches full, looking exactly like the characters in Disney cartoon movies I watched in childhood.

An artist came and sat at the shore working on her water painting.  She did not realize that her presence made the park another nice piece of artwork.

The last photo in this set was actually an image of a small piece of rock in the parking lot.  I found it intriguing and resembling the air view of rocky mountains that I gazed at on my previous flights to the West Coast.

October 22
​The pollinator garden by the parking lot is doing very well.  Even when nibbled on by the deer, the plants are like an assembly line and put out new flowers everyday.  Today I think I found another secret to explain why the garden remains so pretty: a squadron of bumble bees are stationed here to guard the flowers.  

The reflections of the woods and the change of the leaf colors are like an artist's oil paintings.  As a believer of creation, not only I know who the artist is but also where to find Him.  Brightwood Park is not only my favorite place to meet Him but also provides a preview of a better place in eternity.

​October 23
After the drought this past summer, the number of birds in the park significantly declined.  A small herd of mallard ducks became the main residents here.  I was excited to spot a guest  this morning; a blue heron.

On my way out, I was paused by the noise of pecking in the crown of a tall tree.  I tried hard to locate the source.  By tracking the motions I found a male downy woodpecker.  In a moment, the bird came down from his workplace and stood almost in front of me.  While I appreciated the bird's courtesy of greeting me, I noticed that this little fellow must be tired after getting up early and working hard, because he dozed a few times.  

October 24
Although it was a rainy day, the absence of blue sky did not compromise the beauty of the autumn in Brightwood Park.  Everything appeared refreshed.  Tree leaves floating in the pond formed artistic patterns or as worn in fashion shows.

A bush and its reflection in the pond looked like a human ear.  I was reminded of a pair of statues located at the entrance of the Molecular Biology Institute of UCLA, the building where I did my graduate work.  Before the name "Anthropomorphic Echoes" (http://www.publicartinla.com/UCLAArt/benoff.html) was released, everyone called them "strange ears".  After the "ears" were first dedicated, in a few days they melted down under the warm weather of Southern California.  It then took a while for the artist to figure out a material which allowed the statues to stay intact and straight.  Now after 40 years the statues are still there.  

I was wondering if I could name the bush here "Brightwood Echoes".

If you were unable to come to the park because of the weather or because of the distance, I hope the photos shared here brought nature to you wherever you are.

Have a wonderful week.  Chuan-Chu

​I would like to share with you two additional sets of photos.  One set was from October 8 and has the full moon with Jupiter in its vicinity. One of the photos is a close-up of Jupiter.  Another photos has both the moon and Jupiter.  

Some neighbors and friends asked me what happened to my summer because I had not shared photographs of Brightwood.  Although I did take a couple vacations, I still carried out my park ranger duty when I was home.  I was just too busy to get organized.  Here are a few sets of pictures taken in August.

I took a walk in Brightwood Park yesterday afternoon between 5 and 6.  Despite it being wet, chilly, and windy, I saw a few interesting objects and would like to share  the pictures I took with you.

The pollinating garden at the parking lot resumed its beauty of the early summer.  Thanks to Denise and all who participating in planting and taking care of the plants and flowers.

In these days the distal end of the small pond appear to be a hot area for the ducks to hold parties.  A young male wood duck was taking his time to change his outfit.  His eyes are now red in color (typical for adult males), and multiple colors are gradually appearing on his body, most obvious in the feathers of his head.  I was wondering how often this cute creature had to visit tattoo shops or hair salons to work on his look.  Instead of being timid (like many other wood ducks), this guy and his female friends were at ease seeing me watching them.  At a point they decided to do a little stage performance so that I could take funny shots.  

The mallard ducks were less fun.  They probably were finishing the day with full tummies of duckweed and other food from the pond.  A colorful male kept dozing, and I had to whistle to him to get one photo with his eye open.

A deer passed by the woods near the dam.  In contrast to the ducks, the deer looked starving,  Its chest was like a music sheet with empty staff.   I waved at her and said, "Good luck!"

Upon continuing my walk toward Prospect Street, I saw a fallen dead tree blocking the trail.  There are other trees that look like they may also come down.  

Take care and have a nice week.