IF WHAT I SAY RESONATES WITH YOU…

“If what I say resonates with you, it is merely because we are both branches on the same tree.” 

~W. B. Yeats~

ON OUR WAY TO BURKE LAKE PARK

Photos taken of pretty homes on our way to Burke Lake Park, those posts can be found at this link.  I have always enjoyed looking at different styles of the places we see.  The one above looks like a converted barn.  

This is our base, our favorite place,

Our beginning and end to each day.

It's our triumph and glory, 

That these walls tell their stories

As they soak up all we do and say.

This is our space.  Each corner is laced

With items we've chose with care,

From sweet-scented candles, 

To fixtures and handles,

The atmosphere's just right to share.

So near or so far, wherever you are,

No matter where we choose to roam,

We live and we learn, but we always return

This the place we call home.

~Ms. Moem~

"Home, the spot of earth supremely blest,

A dearer, sweeter spot than all the rest."

~Robert Montgomery

"His native home deep imag'd in his soul."

~Homer, from The Oddyssey~

The last photo is of a barn we have been passing by for years.    There have always been horses in the surrounding fields but none today.  I can see this being turned into a lovely home, but I would miss seeing the horses.

The common denominator of all these places?  There are a lot of trees nearby.  This is quite a change from the semi-arid land when we lived in Southern California.  I would miss these trees if we moved.  We have no plans but as the old saying goes, never say never and if that day ever comes, please let us have lots of trees.

BURKE LAKE PARK - AFTER THE DOGS

 Burke Lake is a place we went to years ago but promptly forgot.  I don't really know why.  This is our second or third visit now, in a relatively short space of time since rediscovering it.  We kept our walk short today though, because it started to rain.  

This is the road leading into the park and one of the signs below.  We come under 'county residents' so access for us is free.

There is a freshwater reservoir, and contained within Burke Lake Park is a Fairfax County public park. Burke Lake is formed by a dam on the South Run, a tributary stream of the Potomac River. 

It was Saturday but not very crowded, maybe due to the fact that we went later in the afternoon.  A few people had brought small boats and kayaks, and we watched one or two trucks with boat trailers as they backed down the ramp.  We decided to go to the left where we walked along the beach for a while.  It is where we found our friendly dogs from yesterday's post.

Does anyone have an idea of what kind of shells these are? I have looked online but can't find an exact duplicate of this one.  Maybe freshwater clams? They were scattered all over the rocky beach where we saw the dogs playing in the water.

They also had interesting driftwood.  I can see an artist's beautifully polished wood under the scraggly outer layer, and imagined how pretty it would look.  I know we can't see that from these photos, but that's the direction my head goes when I look at these things.

New growth among the old.

You can learn more about this tree if you click here.  It has great information.

This path would take us through the Frisbee Golf Course.  We avoid as there is a history.  

I have had experience.  I avoid frisbee trails as though avoiding a treacherous bog.  On one occasion I was hit in the face with a flying frisbee, and on another occasion a couple of years later I was hit with a flying body trying to catch a flying frisbee.  I am not at the age where I need a concussion.  It looked quiet but then so had those other times, until someone yelled a warning seconds before.

Here is a map of the lake.  It covers 25 acres and averages only eight feet in depth.  Not for swimming but there are plenty of people who go out on boats, including kayaks. It is also managed as a fishing resource.  

That's all from this trip to Burke Lake Park until the next time we go.  I have a few photos to share of pretty homes along our route, but I'll share those when I can get them done.

PLAYTIME

We drove to Burke Lake Park on Saturday, April 15th, 2023.  I was hoping to see various kinds of water birds, which apart from the Canada Goose, were nowhere to be seen.  I did, however, come across another kind of waterbird.  There were two German Shepherds playing at the edge of the lake, and it was fun seeing them chasing after a tethered green ball.  Their humans kept throwing it into the water for them to retrieve.

We stayed for a while to capture their joy and watched as over and over again they competed to get to the green ball first.

The older of the two seemed content to let the younger shepherd, perhaps a daughter, swim out further for the ball, where the other joined her in an attempt to take it to their humans together.

One of the pups noticed us as we continued our walk.

Next there was the sound of more splashing and running, and I suddenly felt a wet nose nudging my hand, with tail spinning like a top.  

I turned around to this friendly little pup who was obviously asking for a bit of a fuss.  She made me laugh, and I stroked her head and scratched her ears, delighted.  Her humans apologized pulling her back, but we assured them we didn't mind at all.  This sweet pup brought about a lovely end to our walk. 

Another warm day and when we started out the sky was full of big, puffy clouds.  Just as we were leaving the park, the first raindrops fell.  We had a soft, steady rain all the way home, but at least we were able to take a walk today.

More photos from Burke Lake Park next time.

 

SATURDAY MORNING NOT AT THE BIRD FEEDER - BURKE LAKE PARK AND A VISITOR

This one is an old blog transfer from 2013

While visiting the park we were sitting at a picnic table when we saw a v-shaped wake coming towards us moving fast.  It was hard to see what it was at first.  

After listening to the chaotic, territorial honking on the other side of the lake, I actually had a pretty good idea what it was.  An observant Canada Goose had noticed us sitting down at the picnic table, and he decided to pay us a visit.

How nice of you!

I'm afraid not Mr. Goose, we don't have any food for you today.

Well, we have walked a long way and needed to rest and enjoy the scenery.  We didn't realize you would be visiting, very sorry Mr. Goose.

Somehow, I don't think he believed us.  He is still heading our way and getting closer.

We have checked our pockets, not one crumb, and besides, human food is really bad for you. 

 

 Look at that expression, he looks absolutely disgusted but eventually believed us.

Sometimes you have to go with the flow!

 You know, you have a whole lake of water, why are you drinking out of a muddy little pool?

That was the wrong thing to say.  I was getting "the look!"

 And what a look it was!

 He was staring long and hard and.....

 just wouldn't quit!

Have you ever been stared down by a goose?

It is a bit disconcerting as you don't know what's going to come next but...

Good luck on holding that sandwich little girl!

I thought to myself, nope!  There's plenty of food in your natural world right now.  Besides, we wouldn't have enough for you and your 500 relatives.

All joking aside this was a very gentle goose, probably tired of listening to all the honking across the lake, and swimming across it.  

We continued our walk.

 

BURKE LAKE PARK, BURKE, VA - 11-12-22 - LAST OF THE PHOTOS FROM OUR VISIT

Here is the little dog I shared in last week's post with its human friend.

You can rent kayaks and small flat boats here.  The only time I have ever been in a kayak was with my sister when I visited my family in Germany years ago.  They used to go out in them all the time having their own kayaks.  I had fun but I haven't been in one since, and don't intend to.  I am not too fond of being so close to the water as I am not the strongest swimmer, and that is with a life vest.  That's not to say I don't love looking at all that beautiful scenery and the lake.  And when I get to the beach my favorite time is when it's quiet, usually in the winter,  and I can look out at the ocean with hardly a soul around.  But I'm rambling...probably the reason why I named this blog with the word 'ramble' in it!

More geese photos because...

I always love taking photos of them...

probably because they are always around, and they don't swim away.  Hoping for someone to feed them no doubt, and there were plenty of someone's that day.  I am mentioning again my last post where I give the reason why we should not, but this will be the last time, at least for a while.

I particularly enjoyed taking photos of the reflections of the clouds in the water, and the patterns their wakes left.  

One small feather resting on top of all the fallen leaves at the water's edge.  I wondered if it was a downy feather from a goose, or perhaps another water bird.

We walked on the pier and there were a lot of people fishing.  

On our way back we passed another cute dog with two couples our age, sitting in a line looking out at the lake.  They had brought along fold up camping chairs.  We are not too far from one of the parking lots and it crossed my mind to bring our own camping chairs next time, and maybe a picnic.  

No explanation for this one needed except to say, "She likes to take photos of Fall leaves."

While sitting on one of the benches a lady asked if she could join us.  She was enjoying her new phone, telling us about it, and showed us how to use the pano.  Below is my practice shot.  A lovely lady and our conversation lasted about 15-20 minutes.  She was with her husband and grandson.  Grandson was letting off steam, with grandpa watching, and enjoying his space.  She joined them soon after when they were ready to go.  This is a great place for kids and there were many.

We should probably have hung around to take sunset shots at the lake, but driving home we thought the sky was incredible.  

I didn't really mind our street-view-sunset and took these (from the passenger side).

I didn't mind all the lines from the traffic lights either, or the utility poles and their electric lines.   Usually I try to avoid such things but today was not that day...

and the sky was just too good to miss.

This is the end of our trip to the park.  I hope you have enjoyed.  

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by.