Migrating Canadian Geese Arrive at White Rock Lake

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Today, some migrating Canadian Geese arrived at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX, a temporary resting stop on their long journey northward. These huge, attractive wild geese have a black head with a white “chinstrap,” black neck, and large black webbed feet with a brownish-gray body.

A pair of Canada Geese perched on a log in Sunset Bay

The visitors were not exactly welcomed by the permanently resident Chinese Geese, who constantly tried to chase off the Canada Geese. Unfortunately for the local fat, overfed waterfowl the tough-looking visitors were quite aggressive when they needed to be, and not intimidated by the local geese.

A pair of Canadian Geese resting under a shady tree at Sunset Bay
White Rock Lake

The Canada Goose, Branta Canadensis, is native to arctic and temperate regions of North America. They breed in Canada and the northern United States, and are mainly herbivores. Their diet includes green vegetation and grains.

 A visiting Canada Goose strolls along the water's edge at Sunset Bay

During the second year of their lives, Canada Geese look for a mate.  They are monogamous, and most couples stay together for their entire lives.

 A lone Canada Goose beside a pool of water

Canada Geese are often recognized by the famous V-formation when flying in a flock.

 

Canadian Geese taking in the panoramic view of White Rock Lake

Canada Geese are protected under the Federal Migratory Bird Act of 1918. In terms of this Act, it is illegal to harm or injure a goose (or damage or move its eggs) without a Federal permit.

Canadian Geese swimming in Sunset Bay, White Rock Lake 

Waterfowl love Sunset Bay because it is sheltered. It is officially classified as a wetland, and harbors an array of colorful ducks and other water fowl. 

Cooling off on a hot day, this Canada Goose looks at home
in Sunset Bay, White Rock Lake

White Rock Lake in Dallas, Texas is on the migration route from Canada to Mexico. 

The Butterfly Effect and How it Applies to YOUR Life

While walking around White Rock Lake ingesting the natural beauty, it’s easy to become both intellectually stimulated and introspective at the same time. This time of year, the lake is flooded with magnificent butterflies going about their business, making a huge contribution to the well-being of mankind.

 Variegated Fritillary Butterfly visiting a Firewheel
Winfrey Point, White Rock Lake, Dallas

While bending down to examine some wildflowers, a butterfly flew by, its wing touching my cheek as it did so. This got me thinking about “The Butterfly Effect,” and how we are all affected by this theory.

In 1961 a meteorologist, Edward Lorenz, was entering data into his computer so that he could rerun a weather prediction. He needed to enter wind speed, air pressure and temperature into three separate equations. Since he was in a hurry, he decided to take a shortcut on a number in the sequence so he entered the decimal .506 instead of entering the full .506127.

Lorenz was a scientist and he knew this would change the result of the weather prediction, but he expected only a very minor change. He was astounded to discover that this seemingly insignificant change had made a huge difference in the final result of the predicted weather pattern. 

 An American Lady (Vanessa virginiensis) butterfly on a Firewheel
Winfrey Point, White Rock Lake

In the process, Lorenz had stumbled upon a theory that has subsequently become known as “The Butterfly Effect.” 

Lorenz and his cohorts started considering the question: “Does the flap of a butterfly's wings in Brazil set off a tornado in Texas?” This theory has been applied to many areas of science ever since.

So how does The Butterfly Effect apply to YOU?

Every decision you make, no matter how tiny and insignificant it may seem at the time, has consequences. Every choice you make in life has the potential to change the direction in which your life is heading. Wherever you are right now in life is the consequence of all those decisions, both big and small, that you have made throughout your life.

If you want to change your life, change the way you think.  

        

Super Predator Seen Swimming in White Rock Lake, Dallas

Tragedy at White Rock Lake

The contents of this blog post have been removed. It covered a man swimming across Sunset Bay from the vicinity of Dreyfus Club at approximately 6:30pm on Wednesday, April 18, 2012. The blog post ran a commentary on this man’s swim, as well as a series of pictures.

This evening, we discovered that it had been reported in the press that an unidentified man drowned at White Rock Lake at approximately 7:00pm on Wednesday evening, apparently near the shores of Dreyfus Club. It has been assumed by this blog that it was the same man about whom we blogged, and that in all likelihood he decided to swim back to where he started out earlier in the evening. Presumably, he had left his clothing there.

Due to the sensitivity of this matter and the tragic event that subsequently occurred, it was decided to remove the blog post.

We extend our sincere condolences to the family of the drowned man.

Absolutely Awesome Wildflowers Continue to Bloom at Winfrey Point, White Rock Lake, Dallas

These wildflowers were all found in the Winfrey Point area at White Rock Lake in east Dallas, TX. The images were taken today after the morning rain, and yesterday.

Prickly Poppy (Pink)

Indian Paintbrush

Bachelor’s Buttons (Centaurea Cyanus)

Firewheel or Indian Blanket (Gaillardia pulchella)

A Variegated Fritillary butterfly pollinating the wildflowers

A field of assorted yellow wildflowers at Winfrey Point,
White Rock Lake

Bachelor’s Buttons (Centaurea Cyanus)

Pollen is running down this dying Prickly Poppy after the morning rain

Lazy Daisy (Aphanostephus skirrhobasis)

Prickly Poppy (Red)

Bachelor’s Buttons (Centaurea Cyanus)

A dying Firewheel (Indian Blanket) wild flower

Looks like a Tickseed (Coreopsis)

Firewheel wild flowers growing in a field at White Rock Lake

Phlox Red Drummond (Phlox Drummondii)

Clasping Coneflower

Common Dogwood (Cornus sanguinea) 

Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja indivisa)

Bachelor’s Buttons (Centaurea Cyanus)

Prickly Poppy (Red)

Pearls of water adorn this wildflower after the early morning rain

Spider milkweed aka Antelope horns aka Green-flowered milkweed (Asclepias asperula), with flowers just beginning to open

The view below is from Winfrey Point, and overlooks White Rock Lake. Downtown Dallas, approximately five miles away, can be seen in the distance.

The view of downtown Dallas from Winfrey Point, White Rock Lake,
with wild flowers in the foreground

And to think that this urban oasis is in the midst of a thriving metropolis!

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It’s the Time of the Season When Love Runs High – at White Rock Lake

“Can words describe the fragrance of the very breath of spring?” 


How many of you remember the 1968 song by the Zombies, “Time of the Season”?

Right now, as you walk around White Rock Lake in east Dallas, you cannot help but start singing the lyrics of that song: “It's the time of the season … When the love runs high …”

Spring is the time of the year when Mother Nature pushes the “get amorous” button. In the words of the song, “It's the time of the season for loving.” And the birds, animals and insects at White Rock Lake are taking it seriously, as though their very existence depended on it.

These Variegated Fritillary butterflies were mating yesterday, flying around from plant to plant, locked in passion, on the hill above Winfrey Point at White Rock Lake.

Mating Variegated Fritillary butterflies at White Rock Lake

Milkweed Bugs mating yesterday near Winfrey Point, White Rock Lake

These fish were spawning in Dixon Branch Creek, just before it
enters Sunset Bay

If you're interested in aeronautical acrobatics and copious amorous activity, go find yourself some dragonflies. They are always fun to watch. These two dragonflies were answering nature's call in the tiny stream that runs into the lake from the Dallas Arboretum.

Mating dragonflies at White Rock Lake

 Mating feral pigeons at Sunset Bay, White Rock Lake

Mating Mallard ducks on the east shore of White Rock Lake

The female Mallard felt so violated with the entire ordeal that she felt the need to shower afterwards. The male Mallard looked on, not quite understanding the need to bath.

In the words of Neltje Blanchan: “Can words describe the fragrance of the very breath of spring?” 


In case you were wondering what the song sounded like, you can listen to it here: Time of the Season

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Spectacular Butterflies at White Rock Lake, Dallas

Butterflies are the Very Essence of Nature


Do you remember the joy you experienced as a child every time you saw a butterfly? Can you think of anything in nature that is more qualified than a butterfly to represent freedom, beauty or tranquility?

All of these images were taken at White Rock Lake in east Dallas, Texas. Most of them were taken on the banks of Dixon Branch Creek, just before it enters the lake.

The beautiful creature below is a Common Buckeye butterfly. It is a fabulous chestnut brown with 6 bright colorful eye spots.

Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)

The Monarch is a spectacular species, and one of the most popular butterflies. These amazing creatures migrate to warmer climates and can travel up to 3000 miles in the process.  

Monarch (Danaus plexippus)

Butterflies have been around for at least 50 million years and are an important component of the Earth’s rich biodiversity. They have been studied for over 300 years.

The striking fellow below is a Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta).

Dorsal view of the Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) 

Butterflies have the most fascinating life-cycles. The transformation from egg to caterpillar to chrysalis is one of the great wonders of nature.

The beautiful specimen below is a Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia).

Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia)

Butterflies are good indicators of a healthy environment and healthy ecosystems. Based on the abundance of butterflies at the lake right now, one can only conclude that White Rock Lake is in an extremely healthy state.

Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)

Like self-propelled flowers, butterflies flit from flower to flower adding even more color to the awesome landscape.

Monarch (Danaus plexippus)

The Question Mark butterfly (Polygonia interrogationis)

The Question Mark butterfly (Polygonia interrogationis)

Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia)

Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) 

Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)

The Question Mark butterfly (Polygonia interrogationis)

Sulphur Butterfly

The Question Mark butterfly (Polygonia interrogationis)

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Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)

Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) 

Side view of Question Mark butterflies

In the words of Rabindranath Tagore, “The butterfly counts not months but moments, and has time enough.”

Live like a butterfly!

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