Fish Start Spawning at White Rock Lake

Thursday, March 21, 2012

It is the day after the torrents of rain and the flooding of White Rock Lake.

It’s almost as though someone has blown a whistle as a signal for the carp to start spawning. It would appear that conditions are just right for the amorous carp because Dixon Branch Creek, flowing into Sunset Bay, has become a boiling cauldron of huge fish churning up the shallow water with their “love-making” ritual.

Spawning carp in Dixon Branch Creek, flowing into Sunset Bay.

This time of year, the male carp follow the female carp in anticipation of the “big event.” Before spawning takes place, conditions need to be perfect. The biological boiling point of marsh water is about 60 degree F, and when this temperature is reached, the carp begin their spawning activity, churning up the water in the process. Clusters of carp continually breached the water, making loud splashing sounds as they did so.

The females were releasing their eggs along the sides of the inlet, amongst the submerged water plants, and the eggs were fertilized by the ever present male carp in the retinue.

Clusters of carp continually breached the water, making
loud splashing sounds as they did so. 

A female carp can lay from 100,000 to over one million eggs, depending on her age and size. The fertilized eggs attach themselves to the leaf of the plants in the water, and they will hatch 4 to 5 days later.

A couple of fishermen had their lines in the water and were amazed that the carp swimming by them paid no attention to their lines. They obviously did not know that spawning carp will not feed.

White Rock Lake is an angler’s paradise, containing 19 different types of fish, the most popular being bass, crappie, and catfish.


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Heavy Rains Lead to Flooding

Wednesday, March 20, 2012

The heavy rains of the preceding twelve hours have caused White Rock Lake to rise about three feet. The jetty in Sunset Bay is completely submerged, and the ducks are swimming where children were playing only hours before.

The jetty in Sunset Bay is completely submerged by flood water.

The engorged lake now covers the barbeque and picnic areas surrounding the lake, almost reaching the car parks closest to the lake.

The flooded lake now covers the barbeque and picnic
areas surrounding the lake. 

The land that is normally visible in the inlet area of Dixon Branch Creek is completely covered with water, and one wonders what has happened to the Water Moccasins that normally reside in that area.

Fortunately, once the rain stops, the water level subsides quickly and things soon revert to normal.


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Show the Dandelions Some Respect

Saturday, March 17, 2012

The next time you walk around White Rock Lake, look down. You'll be amazed at how much beauty escapes us as we go about our business.

Have you ever stopped to admire the beauty and perfection of the white spherical seed head of the dandelion (it means lion’s tooth in Old French, in case you were wondering)? Most children love to blow away the seeds from the head, and make a wish. They are sometimes referred to as “wish flowers” in parts of the country.

This image was captured near Sunset Bay.

The spherical seed head of a dandelion. 

Obviously, the seed head did not start that way. It started out as a beautiful, bright yellow flower. Actually, each flower head is composed of thousands of small ray flowers.

The dandelion image below was captured about two feet away from the seed head referred to above. In the image, you can see a bee. A dandelion is the bee’s best friend. Most of the plants important to bees are wildflowers, and of these, the most valuable early spring wildflower is the dandelion. Bees love the dandelion because the pollen is nutritious and they have a lot of nectar. It gives the bees a huge boost and adds to the health and well-being of the hive at a critical time of the year.

 The dandelion flower head is composed of thousands of
small yellow ray flowers. 

Did you know that the dandelion flowers, the leaves, and the tap root are all edible? It is one of the safest and most popular herbal remedies, and is good for a number of different maladies, illnesses and diseases, including hepatitis and diabetes. 

The milky, white sap that comes from the leaf removes warts and moles, is good for pimples and sores, and soothes blisters and bee stings.

So next time you see a dandelion as you walk around White Rock Lake, show it some respect. You never know when you may need one!

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Northern Flicker Woodpecker at White Rock Lake

Saturday, March 17, 2012

As you walk around the wooden areas of White Rock Lake, you may hear a sound that resembles a short drum roll – the “drumming” of woodpeckers. This time of year, from late Spring to early Summer, the male woodpeckers “drum” to attract a mate.

Northern Flicker woodpecker on the lawn at Sunset Bay March 17, 2012

Of course, woodpeckers peck away at the bark of trees for other reasons as well, such as to make a nest and also to find food.

The image above is of a Northern Flicker woodpecker and is a beautiful example of the black bib that these woodpeckers have on their chest.

Have you ever listened carefully to the woodpeckers drumming? They strike the bark of a tree some eight times per second, about 500 times per minute, and with such great force that if a human bashed their head that hard just once, they would probably die.

Northern Flicker's eat mainly ants and beetles, digging
for them with their strong beaks. 

The reason woodpeckers don’t end up with severe head trauma when they drum is all in the design of their beak. It is designed somewhat like a shock absorber in a motor car and is independent of the skull. The skull is thus protected from harm when the bird decides to start pecking furiously, as woodpeckers are supposed to do.

You would not expect to find a woodpecker on the ground, but Northern Flicker's eat mainly ants and beetles, digging for them with their strong beaks. And can you believe that with all that drumming and digging, woodpeckers never have to sharpen their beaks?

If ever you wanted evidence of divine design, go find yourself a woodpecker.

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Water Moccasins Come Out of Hibernation

Saturday, March 17, 2012

It’s that time of year when snakes come out of hibernation and you are likely to start seeing several snakes at White Rock Lake.

One needs to be extra careful walking along the banks of Dixon Branch Creek. Snakes are everywhere, especially Water Moccasins. The images below were taken on March 17, 2012.

This water moccasin has made a nest at the base of a tree
on the bank of Dixon Branch Creek

More often than not, you will see the snakes sunning themselves on branches that hang over the water, or in bushes beside the creek.

 The snakes love sunning themselves on branches
that hang over the water 

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Art in the Garden at the Dallas Arboretum

Friday, March 16, 2012

The Dallas Arboretum’s annual art show, Artscape, featured nearly 100 artists from around the country.

The banner advertising Artscape was displayed on the lake side of the fence.

One of the best artists exhibiting was Lee Reams. Lee is a wonderful artist and is featured in a book soon to be released that showcases the talent of 100 contemporary artists from around the world. And Lee certainly deserves the acclaim! Her art is unique in that she only uses a palette knife when she paints.

Lee's painting of New York

This is Lee’s website: www.ArtisticLee.net

Another artist that captured the imagination was Fredrick Prescott, whose colorful, huge metal kinetic sculptures moved in the wind. Prescott’s work is a blend of pop art and folk art, and is enjoyed and appreciated by both young and old alike.

An enormous metal tiger - the head moves in the wind

You can find out more about Prescott's work here: www.PrescottStudio.com

Artscape took place in the stunning gardens of the Dallas Arboretum, located on the south shore of the tranquil White Rock Lake.

Artist's booths were set up between the huge trees in the garden

One can see from the bare trees that Spring had not quite arrived, but things will look a lot different in a couple of weeks.

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Dallas Blooms at the Arboretum

March 16, 2012

This is the 28^th annual Dallas Blooms, a nationally acclaimed floral festival that is nothing short of spectacular, held at the Arboretum and Botanical Garden. The event is rated as one of the best ten bloom festivals in the world and features 500,000 spring-blooming bulbs.

The Dallas Arboretum is a kaleidoscope of color from beginning to end 

These spectacular gardens showcase some amazing seasonal flowers, shrubs and trees, and are a kaleidoscope of color from beginning to end.

Southern Living Magazine, in their March 2011 edition, state that the Arboretum’s “World-Class Tulip Show is the Best Spot This Side of Holland to see These Beautiful Flowers.”

No disagreement there!

The tulip display at Dallas Blooms is spectacular

The Arboretum is on the south shore of White Rock Lake. The entrance to the Arboretum is in Garland Road. The address is: 8525 Garland Rd, Dallas, TX 75218.

This is a 66-acre property with plenty to see so be prepared to spend a few hours.

Find out more here: http://www.dallasarboretum.org/

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White Rock Lake, Dallas – a Hidden Gem

White Rock Lake in Dallas is an Urban Oasis

White Rock Lake is truly a hidden gem. So many people have lived in and around Dallas for many years, and have no idea whatsoever as to the existence of this tranquil lake.

The lake is fed by White Rock Creek, a tributary of the Trinity River, and is located in East Dallas. It is surrounded by an impressive trail used by cyclists, runners, walkers and in-line skaters.

  White Rock Lake offers a wide variety of outdoor activities,
including sailing

Apart from running and cycling, the lake offers a wide variety of outdoor activities that include fishing, picnic and barbeque areas, sailing, rowing, bird watching, and offers a multitude of opportunities for photographers.

The lake is a wonderful place for families to enjoy some time together, or for people just wanting to commune with nature or meditate. There's lots to see as well, such as the beautifully restored historic Filter House, or the art deco-style Boathouse built in 1930.

And if you do decide to picnic in the park, please have the courtesy to clean up after yourself!

 Please clean up after yourself!

The bird life is nothing short of spectacular, with over 217 species of birds, including pelicans, coots, sea gulls, terns and all kinds of ducks and waterfowl. White Rock Lake is on the migration route from Canada to Mexico and many migrating birds stop over at the lake on their long journey.

A pair of Mallard ducks foraging for food in Sunset Bay

The objective of this blog is to promote White Rock Lake as a destination, to capture the essence and beauty of the lake, and to portray it as the living, breathing organism that it is.

Enjoy the blog. Enjoy the lake. Enjoy life!

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