I've written several diaries about the fourth largest park in New York City, an oasis in the Bronx named for our first elected mayor, Van Cortlandt Park. As I see public parks as one of our best symbols of people powered politics sometimes the diaries are actually serious.
Not tonight, nothing serious to be found here. Just good clean fun and a day to remember.
I've been enjoying some winter walks and took one of my favorite photos this week.
The weather here in NYC has softened a bit. While I'm always taking walks on the nature trails of the Bronx and by the Van Cortlandt Lake, I've had some company lately.
This week I photographed a father and daughter enjoying themselves feeding birds and below the fold is what I watched yesterday. It was very enjoyable to watch and would have made a nice moving picture.
"Let the cartoons begin."
I got there at the same time and while the dominant birds on the lake in this nice weather are around a thousand geese, the seagulls spotted the bag of bread instantly.
The word got out fast.
And the child was delighted.
Then one of the big swans got wind of the offerings on the other side of the lake and went to investigate.
The swan came right in and took charge.
And not being the least bit shy, decided to get up close and personal.
The little girl had no fear and wanted to pet the big swan.
She holds out a big piece of delicious Bronx Italian bread.
The swan winds up.
And here's the pitch.
Still no sign of fear out of this courageous child but Grandma backed her away from the big bird.
And she got in the block for the second lunge.
Then she had had enough with the big bad swan.
Banished from the big bag of bread to go back to his or her regular haunt.
End of story but a little bit of equal time for Dad.
I hope you enjoyed these photos. I know I did.