More Traffic on the Lake

Over the past three years, there is a marked increase of traffic on White Rock Lake. During that time, SUP boards have increased. Kayak traffic has increased. Sailboat traffic has increased and now there is increasing use of Hobie Cats and Hobie Double Kayaks. Oh, did I mention the steam-powered converted sailboat? Then, there are the rowing clubs that have inreased and fishermen  that use boats.

 There is now a canoe,kayak and SUP board rental vendor in its third year at the lake. All-in-all, it's a good thing. The wildlife seems to be adjusting to the increase also. In some ways, they actually benefit. The question that presents itself next is: at what point will it become saturated? Of course, it may slow down as the economy  increases and people return to other forms of recreation that are developing in the Metroplex. Maybe, there is no need to sound the alarm yet, but observing the past three years has been an eye-opener of sorts.

Another subtle sign can be seen here in this mid-August summer afternoon shot. In the tree to the left of the sign the Monk Parots were being rowdy. A silhouette shot caught the rowdy little bird behaving.

Storms in the area last night and some this afternoon, as a result of a mid-August cold front passing, kept the temperatures not above 91 * F for a change. It also send a lot of dead wood flowing through the lake and over the spillway.

A Fine Art artist from Connecticut was visiting the lake today looking for inspiration. It's always amazing to me how White Rock Lake draws artist,photographers, writers, poets, musicians  and other creative minds. From this photographer's viewpoint, it is  a much-welcomed choir of angels that are as if they are on their day off. Least I fail to mention Roddy holding court every Sunday for years with his "FREE ADVISE" sign out. Dallas is so lucky to have such a jewel in the heart of the city.

Silhouette of one of many Monk Parots at White Rock.

With increasing Boat Traffic, new signs go up.

Last night's storms had 60 MPH winds and gave a much needed 0.75 inches of rain.

 

Even the Gulls Get a Christmas Gift and A Look at This Year's Crop of Mercer Crossing Hay.

The gulls are the last of the migrating birds to arrive back at the lake. Lake docks are a favorite hang out to catch a nap, dry your feathers or show your status in the pecking order.

This summer, the city rebuilt several docks on both sides of the lake. The gulls while somewhat messy at times, have a very defined pecking order on who gets the flat head post to claim. The birds that are on the dock surface were forced to remove themselves from their position when on of their own flew in with a higher pecking order. I watched one gull be rejected from six of the ten post. Interesting order in the Animal Kingdom. Never-the-less, their return is acknowledgement that the workers didn't disturb their likes for this favorite spot when not flying.



Gulls Noted Pecking Order On Post.Lower Pecking Order on Dock.

A couple of days ago the fall crop of Mercer Crossing Hay covered the fields along LBJ 635 Westbound between 35E and 635 and the George Bush Turnpike for another year's crop. This is one of the last open space of land on the way to DFW International Airport, a few miles farther West of here. This location has always been a favorite to photograph hay bales in the fall because of the uniqueness to the past of Mercer Crossing and the number of major offices that sprinkles around the hay fields. Hagar Slacks, the favorite of President Lyndon Johnston is Headquartered less than a mile from here.

One of over 100 bales of Mercer Crossing Hay near Luna and LBJ 635 Westbound to DFW International.