The Big Thicket Raptor Is Back Surveying The Tree Damage

Today, finally, I spotted the ole boy high atop his favorite tree in the Big Thicket. After a bit, he took flight over the hillside ticket east of the tennis courts and points south. I could see him diving low and then come up and ride the updrafts then back down in a swooping dive. He most likely was hunting. I could hear the crows squawking  then saw five of them doing their, "this is my ground buddy!" squawks. As I drove from Buckner up the hill at Peavy and made the loop down into the park, over W. Lawther to the cottage at the Big Thicket. I parked and walked over to the edge of the grove where the Red Shoulders and the Owls have shared for a couple of years without fail. I was about to give up and walked up closer to Buckner, finding the tree that I had seen from Buckner earlier. Sure enough, there sat the ole boy eating lunch. What a welcomed sight that was.

There was a fairly large group of people sitting on blankets. Nothing wrong with that, but they had dogs--maybe three---and the ole boy was quiet uncomfortable with the barking and the kids chasing the dogs so close to the big nesting tree. That has been one of the things that is a concern, especially at this time of year when nesting and mating are close to happening. The last thing I want to see is for the ole boy to relocate at such a critical time. Or worse yet, the increased pedestrian traffic would cause the pair to abandon the nest with eggs. That would be disastrous.

Still, there is hope that nesting will take place as in the past without any trouble. The guys from Parks
and Recreation are aware that it's nesting time there, especially with the big tree being down for a couple of months. The guys have so much work to do  this time of year and with the past two floods already this year, there is tons of wood on the floor. They are going to give it their best shot to get the tree removed before much longer and I, for one, greatly appreciate all their work. The guys are two great crews--one for West Lawther and one for East Lawther. The do such a great job helping to keep the park in order.

In fact, there was a guy today that was shooting the pelicans and finches, from Delaware who commented about the trash in the Dixon. He was surprised to hear that there are volunteer groups that work picking up trash and were even out today in large numbers with the bill board date of January 12th not until this coming weekend, it shows that people do care and were working in support groups even today. They are much appreciated, too!

Cited from Buckner Road

Mr. Squirrel with a very high post to observe and take in sunshine.

Just finished his lunch, He's back at has normal spot when the mate is on the nest--although that hasn't happened yet at the old nest. But, he's back in the neighborhood. That's a good thing.

White Rock Paddle Has A New Dock

Just about six years ago, while making my editorial rounds at White Rock Lake, I noticed a shiny trailer in the parking lot at the foot of Scout and East Lawther section as it comes under the Mockingbird bridge. When I got out and was walking up to the trailer, there was this young lady with a pink baseball cap and her pony tail dropping down through the adjustment strap on the cap. Now, at the beginning of the sixth year at White Rock Lake, Amy, the pony tailed,  pink baseball cap wearing, owner of the White Rock Paddle Company has become a dear proxy friend through her staff, although I don't get to see her as much now. As in today, I missed her by about an hour, but the Paddle Co was operating never-the-less. It was, however, operating at a different location at Big Thicket.

Actually, the new location has much more to offer than the former bank of the parking lot across from the dog park between the pedestrian bridge and the Mockingbird bridge. The new location has a large surface mat that is even and much easier to load and unload. There's a great view of the downtown skyline, a dock, a picnic table with both a water fountain and a spigot for filling bottles or bowls for the dogs. Parking is much more evenly distributed. All-in-all, it's just a paddle around the first boat marina then under the pedestrian bridge for those that like to paddle or kayak up White Rock Creek.  For others, that want to paddle the open lake, you are right there from the get!

Since we are mostly creatures of habit, it's only going to be about one trip from the new location until things begin to settle back into a routine and nothing will seem strange or awkward from then on.  To make it even easier, the White Rock Paddle Company has a sign right next to where they were in the past at the Nautical Area sign. Just turn left and head around the curve toward the Big Thicket Building and the Sailing Boat Marinas (when you pass the first one, get ready to turn in to the old boat dock). There is an orange tent by the trailer to help you zero in on the new digs.
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This is Garrett, one of the staff. He'll be watching for you!

The boats on the new mat launching area, and I hear there are a lot of new boats this year too.

Now, here's the landmark. It's just like being in the old place but much better overall! Enjoy you summer and do some serious boating from White Rock Paddle. Say hello to Garrett, too!

Something New for the New Year

Today  was my  first trip out in the past five days. The cold isn't good for the heart at my age. That's what I am told at any rate. It was a trip to the drug store only to find that I must go back again tomorrow for one medication that was out of stock. So, while out, it would be a chance to get lunch and make a trip around the lake for the first time in 2014.

The ceilings were very, very low lending themselves to that feeling of gloom and doom. A mist was falling just enough to keep the intermittent wipers on their highest setting.  It was almost, at times, like there was trying to be fog. In fact, a couple of landmarks at the lake had their tops covered in fog. Since fog is defined as a cloud lower than 50 feet, the credence to ceilings being low was upheld.

The old entrance to The Big Thicket had been undergoing a bit of construction that looked very much like some kind of sign, but at years end, it was not yet determined. But, today, there were several new signs-- long needed-- marking not only the Big Thicket, but the cut-off to the pump and filter buildings on the west side of the lake and a new nautical and Big Thicket route marker. In fact, they look really nice, even covered in the fine droplets of water.

Someone today was complaining on Yahoo that there was only one picture to a story they were commenting on. Someone else commented that [they]  "assume you know what the word gallery means. Did you click it on?" I realized that people still have trouble navigating on the web, so I will remind every one that you click on one of these images and it opens in a more viewable condition. Try it! It doesn't cost anything!!

Nice New Sign



Gloom and Doom Winter Day

One of the television stations were doing a piece on the re-make of the dog-park. A million-dollar redo. The bike and pedestrian bridge is blocked off at the east end and the trail is blocked off at the west parking lot entrance. That's a lot of ground being made ready for construction. The jewel of the city park system is getting her crown polished up. Looking good!!

A totally new sign that was needed. It sits at the end of the bike bridge with the back to the dog park across the water and at the foot of the Big Thicket Hill off Mockingbird.