Map with Names for Special Places on the Lake

For the four or so years that I have been walking around this lake, I've been imagining having names for the many stretches, nooks and inlets, so it'd be easy to share with people where we saw what, and to notice what changes in the different spots.

I still imagine having a quiz of all the flora and fauna we can find at the lake, with your pictures coming in and adding to a directory of wildlife there. Then children, and even keenagers, could test their knowledge of the names and ways of nature at Lake Pine.

The map is from the Town of Apex Parks - but I've added little labels and arrows to different places I've seen wildlife and that I wanted to name, like Turtle Inslet - where the most turtles hang out and logg!

Maybe you can suggest some? And hopefully I'll have time to add more and update this map.

Apex "Turkey Trot 5K" at Lake Pine

Today, November 22, in the Apex Community Park popularly known as "Lake Pine", the annual Turkey Trot race was held.

Turtles coming for food

Not only do the swans and ducks come to the shore for bread, the turtles do too!

Beaver? No, a rat...

Heron in Flight

Laura Duncan Street Park Sign

There are two main entrances to Lake Pine, the lake that is part of the Apex Community Park.
This is the main entrance, on Laura Duncan, and is also the entrance to the playing fields, tennis courts, volleyball courts, etc! This side of the park has much more parking, and has several entry points to the trail around the lake.

All the way across the lake is the other entrance, on Lake Pine.

Lake Pine Walkers

Two Walkers Remembered - A Memorial Tree

On Saturday June 7th, on the bulletin board at the Lake Pine entrance of Lake Pine, this poster was on a bulletin board. Remembering two walkers, a man and his dog, who we will no longer see at the Lake, a memorial tree will be planted.

It's a sweet opportunity to contribute and be part of a community. For more information email GRMASNUGLZ@AOL.COM or call Pam Mesik at 363-1491.

The Great Pine at Lake Pine

Geese Family Outing

Lake Pine Walkers Help Find Lost Beagle

I just found this note in a 5/12/08 Post in Raleigh Craiglist Lost and Found.
Here's celebrating the collaboration of strangers!

The 5/12/2008 note said:

"I just wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone who helped me find my beagle at Lake Pine this morning. I was scared to death that he was lost but because of the many nice people at the Lake this morning I was able to run to catch up with him as someone kept him from running further.

I couldn't help but compare it to the twilight bark from 101 Dalmations! I lost him behind the ball fields and was looking for him in the parking lot when I asked a biker if he had seem him. The biker not only told me where he was, but he turned around and rode halfway across the lake to let the people who were trying to catch him that I was on my way. I was touched that so many people helped me this morning and am thankful to live in such a wonderful community.

Special thanks to the biker and the woman with the twins and all of the others who pointed me in the right direction."

In a watery log

Giraffe Tree

Fern Slope

Ferns are not so common in well-traveled public parks like this. So it's very nice to see a whole area that has many ferns.

These ferns on Fern Slope are highlighted by the sun.























Click on the photo to see the detail. The ferns are in the middle of the photo, to the right of the tree with big green leaves.

Do you see what I saw?

Up in the Sky so High

Boats: Welcome There, not Here

Gray Bird in Tree

Anyone know what this bird is? See how beautifully camouflaged it is against the pine bark. It was poking about the tree trunk hopping and making a peeping sound. A few minutes later it flew up into the tree leaves - see the last photo.

MallardBall

Standing Tall

This blue heron was standing above a release mechanism to add lime to the water to counter acidity in the lake. (details to be confirmed) All of a sudden there was a release and the heron took flight with a big swooshing sound, and then with the racous cry they make, sounding very pre-historic. I've yet to see one catch a fish. There are at least two who live at the lake because I've seen two at the same time on several occasions.

Half-Tail and Frinley

Half-Tail is digging in the dirt.

It's a little hard to see in this photo, but Half-Tail's tail is cut short. See the gray spot, normally the tail would be about a third or more longer than it is. Hence his name, Half-Tail.

Frinley is keeping an eye out.



Frinley and Half-Tail hit the trees for safety.
This is Frinley - more curious than scared. Frinley's name comes from his being more outgoing than some squirrels. I can't say for sure, but I think I've had encounters - and photo shots - with him before.



Half-Tail is very curious as well, hanging upside down to look while chewing some delicious morcel. His hind legs hold him so well he can use both front paws to hold his food to his mouth. (Those photos were too dark to show.)
















Frinley safe on a higher branch.

Mallard Model

This duck was poised on top of the rock as if posing for a photo shoot. Look how brilliantly orange its feet are.

The Swans of the Lake

Mom and Dad Swan. Which one is which, can anyone tell?

The Baby Swan?

Is this a baby swan? Mom and Dad were paddling a ways a way. This little one walked with a bit of a wobble, as if it's left leg were weak.

Red Headed Who?

Do you see what I saw?

Double click on the picture to see it in full size.

Beavers are at it Again

Baby Ducks Grow up Fast

Are these the same baby ducks we saw in the May 9th post Camouflage? Could they have grown that fast?

Blacksie 'n Whitesie Floating Together

Blacksie 'n Whitesie Snoozing Side by Side

Look closely and you'll see Whitesie's best friend Blacksie snoozing right beside her. Click on the photo to see it in full size.

Snoozing in the Water

Beech Tree in Beech Grove at the Lake

Still Going At It

This goose and the swan are still going at it, squawking at each other.

Ain't He Grand, Ma?

Swimming in the Rain

Both swans were out swimming in the open area of Lake Pine, far from the nest that was so carefully guarded just a couple of weeks ago. See the swan chasing away a gaggle of geese.












What happened to the eggs? If the eggs were still alive, or if they had hatched living baby swans (what are they called?) then both swans would not be far from the nest.

Somewhere someone who walks around the lake knows what happened. How long will it take for me to find out? Is there a place on the net that people journal about what they see at Lake Pine, like I do?

Wildlife Living Wild

Check out this account from a day in the park at Lake Pine. The male swan was protecting a wide swath of territory around his nesting mate, chasing away a clan of geese, and storming across the lake slapping its feet on the water to chase away a single goose. (Do birds have alpha birds? And would another bird species know which bird was the alpha of a group?)

Wildlife Living Wild at Lake Pine - Apex Community Park

Know this Plant: Poison Ivy

Name this plant

Heron