Along The Bluff

More shots along Cliff Drive. Immediately below looking down at North Terrace Lake from the Lexington Avenue Bridge.The Island.... may or may not contain pirate treasure.
Bluffs near Prospect Point.
Cliff Drive Chestnut Bridge
Abandoned stairs by Chestnut Bridge.

Yours Mine and Ours...

To my surprise we found two families of geese at the lake today. I have no idea where the other group was on my previous trips... Here are the two resting and eating side by side. The original family that I've been following had 5 goslings. The new pair had six. They eat, rest and swim close to each other.Here's the original family below, resting under a tree. And yes... the water is really green... we called North Terrace Lake "Green Lake" when I was growing up.

A Walk Along The Drive

Took a walk along Cliff Drive today. Needed to get out.... needed exercise. Walked along the Drive to the lake and back. The bush honeysuckle is in full bloom. An invasive plant it was brought into Missouri as an ornamental garden inhabitant and then escaped. It is fast growing, beautiful when it flowers, smells wonderful... but has no natural enemies except a flame thrower.

Scarritt Point from the Drive... fully engulfed by leafy life.... excellent view from its edge.
Up top by Scarritt Point the skyline is slowly sinking behind the trees.... probably another couple of summers, at least from this point, it will only be visible in the winter.

As with other parts of the hood the little darlin's like to mark their territory with their little gang signs.... I know its territorial but really... do you want to lay claim to a storm drain???

Parks and Rec regularly cleans the stuff off...
The population of geese at the lake has increased to 13 and ducks to 4. The goslings have really grown since the last post.

There were a couple of adorable little kids with their grandmother watching the goslings. The grandmother told me that the oldest little girl had named all of them. I said, "well how do you know which one is which?" She (probably 7) said, "I don't have to, they know who they are."

Good answer.
The green herons are back and seem less skittish this year than last... I'd like to see the male and female together but they won't cooperate.

Mother Goose

I guess she's Quinqua Mom in keeping with popular culture... only Mrs. Goose did it the old fashioned way. This flotilla inhabits North Terrace Lake (Green Lake for those of us who grew up over here in Northeast). I think they must have hatched about 10 days ago... just saw them today. Cute little fuzzy goslings who stick right with Mom and Dad.... and vice- versa. Generally swim from one end of the lake to the other, get out and eat, get back in. Sleep on the island at night.

Scenic Byway Goes Volcanic

In an area not known to be seismic alarming signs of island creation are underway. North Terrace Lake is churning with potential new lava land. Kansas City Parks and Recreation has mobilized to move the newly nesting geese to safety until the danger has passed. A team from the US Geological Survey is on site to measure seismic activity and gaseous outflow.

Photo courtesy of the estate of B. Finch.

Wanting Lakefront Property

I know.... thank goodness someone finally took a picture of geese. This pair, they mate for life, returns each year ( at least I think it's the same couple ) to North Terrace Lake along Cliff Drive. They select a spot on the island in the middle of the east end of the lake and nest build. She lays her eggs... one per day... 5 to 7 total and they take turns sitting on the nest... although the female does it the majority of the time. 25 or so days later the goslings hatch and a flotilla is created. It is amusing to watch the little ones the first time or two they try to leave the water and head up the bank. The feathered duo was circling the island Tuesday.