With purple coastal mountains and the Bayshore Freeway in the background, the mechanical Aquatic weed harvester removes widgeon grass before it covers the lagoon, leaving a rotting oder after it flowers and the flowers die. Now the lagoon begins to glow again as it is cleaned up for the coming Berkeley Japanese Lantern Ceremony for World Peace, Saturday, August 9th, 6-9pm. It is a beautiful festival, introducing many to the wonders of Berkeley Aquatic Park, the worldwide harmonies of parklands, and the dark, deep memories of what happened in a world at war.
Widgeon Weed Harvest Aquatic Park
Lake Merritt's White Pelican - Hank
Hank flew into a power line and was rescued. She now rules Lake Merritt. She's a strong swimmer, a walker and a main attraction. She also displays during the mating season with the disc on her bill. She's well liked and people are moved when they hear her story.
Last Fledgling Night Heron
Downtown, 13th and Alice Streets, Oakland: after the Post Office ordered tree trimming in the heron colony during peak nesting season, a surviving fledgling walks past the postal trucks. The heron colony is now home to a few snowy egrets and no herons. A couple herons remain in nearby trees.
Berkeley Kite Festival
A truly great festival in Berkeley on a weekend in July every year, filling the sky with surreal images and color, giants towering over people and looking out to the San Francisco Bay.
New Night Heron in good company.
This heron has found friends in the Canada geese. He watches the lagoon from a tree then twice flies down, becoming unusually sociable with the geese.
Seven Surprises for Father's Day
Late spring ducklings, seven surprises for Father's Day.
Egret Nest
Natural window into a nest of five egrets and another nest below, one above and a fourth nest behind the branch.
Ghost Egret
Ghost egret multiplies into a trio in tree light.
Read moreSnowy Egret and chicks
Amazing mornings over the lagoon, the egrets are reproducing in the city.
Adeline & Alcatraz Streets Pop-UP Window Gallery
As land grows scarce and species multiply, more diverse creatures begin to share space. Often there is harmony. As wildlife integrates into the city, there is inspiring interaction. Albert Einstein said it beautifully, "Look deeply into nature, and then you will understand everything better."
Read moreDucks on the original bay shoreline
Today
Today is the very best day.
Today is the very best day ~ mallard at the Lagoon.
The Dog Art Show at Folk & Fine Art Gallery, Berkeley
New show, now through April 20, 2014, with 9 dog and cat paintings and photographs, featuring two mixed media by Ellie Fidler from original photographs by Gerry Traucht.
Open Wednesday through Sunday, 4 to 8 p.m., 1861-a Solano Avenue, Berkeley, a few doors down from the theatre. Everyone welcome.
Thanks to Peter Brown and Aaron Nelson, gallery directors.
