Lens-Artists Challenge #123 – Found in the Neighborhood
This week for Lens-Artists Challenge #123, Ann-Christine invited us to look at our neighborhood and see what we can find regardless of being trapped in our Covid19 bubbles.
It has been a while since we last walked around Laguna Lake which is within walking distance from our home. The weather in the last several months has been crazy with record breaking heat, stubborn fires, and a sharp drop of temperature with pouring rain. We had no other options exception staying home especially under the restriction of Covid-19.
After the cold spell, the temperature warmed up to 89oF this afternoon. The trail around the lake is only ¾ mile. We walked around it twice. The waterfowls normally migrate in the winter but it’s not cold enough yet. They are still around in the afternoon sun. When the Egyptian geese first came to Laguna Lake, they only showed up occasionally. A year ago, they decided to make the lake their home.
The lake was built in the early 1900s as a watering hole for livestock. The lake originally was up to 11 feet deep, by the mid-1990s, had decreased to 5 feet as years of sludge piled up. In September 2004, the renovation started with the funding of $2 million grant from the California Coastal Conservancy, because the muck from the lake drained to the ocean after storms.
In the process of draining the lake, the workers discovered a monster, known to locals as Old Bob, who turned out to be a 100-pound alligator snapping turtle.
When the restoration completed in 2006, the lake was restocked with 1,000 trout, bass, catfish, and bluegill. Anybody with a fishing license can cast a line into the lake, but only the trout are large enough to keep.
Today, Laguna Lake Park is a pleasant park for joggers, hikers, bikers, horse riders, fishing, picnic, parents walking with their kids or baby in the strollers, or owners walking with their pets.
Home owners by the lake built staircases to have easy access to the lake.
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Lens-Artists Challenge #123 – Found in the Neighborhood
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Hi Miriam, It is always fascinating to read how other parts of our planet/continent are doing. We have had lots of rain and wind storms. Usual weather for this time of year. My husband and I still get outside with many layers of clothing.
OMGoodness about Old Bob! Great photos, Miriam. I hope you and loved ones are well. ❤️
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I know it’s wet and cold up north. My daughter showed me the sky on our video chat. They just buddle up and walk on walks. They are good trying to do things outside with the kids.
We’re doing well so far and hope the travel restriction will be lift for Christmas. ❤
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A most interesting post! I love old Bob! He really is a whopper!! That is a beautiful spot around the lake. Glad they cleaned it out for you.
Dwight
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It’s our favorite spot. Many neighbors also run or walk up to the lake.
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It looks like a beautiful and peaceful place to take a walk! The history is interesting and the finding of the turtle was a huge surprise. My goodness…he’s a giant one.
Thanks you sharing a part of your neighborhood with us.
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We’re so fortunate to have this place so close. My husband used to run from home, up the hill, and Aaron’s the lake a couple time and run home. Right now he runs in a grassy park easier on his feet.
Thank you for reading, Esther.
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Having a nature place accessible for exercise is a blessing! Instead of going to the gym, you could be outside and doing the same thing. Not to mention, it doesn’t cost a membership!
So great that a grassy park is accessible too. Nice! I wish I was closer to places like that, because it brightens moods and gives you space to think and relax.
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We are members of two gyms. They both closed the business due to Covid. We’re not paying membership fees. My husband set up a home gym and decided not to join any gym when the pandemic is over!
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I’ve heard lots of people are doing that and its easier access. You buy things upfront and you keep it.
Gyms are expensive and their memberships so complex. We joined one here too but rarely went. Too expensive to keep and once we canceled, the kids wanted to go back. Think they were too young when we joined. Oh well!
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What a beautiful place and so near to your home! Water bodies have soothing vibes that reach us the moment we look at them. Nice images Miriam. thanks for sharing.
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We’re thankful to have such a place close to home. I’m glad you liked them photos, Balroop.
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I know that lake, Miriam–near Fullerton I think? I’m in Laguna Hills. It’s gorgeous. I guess it isn’t naturally fed with water/fish? I lived near Elsinore for a while and that lake while gorgeous was difficult to maintain.
Love your pictures!
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Yes, it is, Jacqui. It has a new irrigation system after the renovation. I think they replenish fish every year. It’s maintained by the Parks and Recreation. I’m glad you like the pictures.
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Those manmade lakes are hard to maintain. Glad this one gets lots of attention.
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Yes, I agree. I think this one is easier because it’s closer to the ocean as an outlet. The water runs into the ocean is a motivation and justification for the maintenance.
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Hi Miriam. What a beautiful place to live near. It looks a very relaxing and interesting natural area. Stunning photos as well!
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We’re thankful to have it so closer by, Kim. It’s a good size lake with many features for many outdoor activities. I’m glad you liked the photos!
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What a lovely spot. I can see why the birds want to stay 🙂
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This is a delightful post, Miriam. About 30 years ago I lived in a community with a lake and walking trail, so I was interested to read the story of this one. And of course Old Bob! I’ve never heard of that kind of snapping turtle. He does look a lot like an alligator. Thanks for letting us share part of your day. Hugs on the wing.
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We’re thankful to have a lake and hiking trails close by. Some trails are in the back of some homes. When my husband went walking, he could say ‘hi’ to those friends. That Old Bob is mean looking. The woman holding him wanted to claim him with no success. Thank you for reading, Teagan. The virus is getting worse. Take care!
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What a beautiful place to get lost for the day. Thanks for sharing, my friend. ❤ xo
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Yes, it is. I went again yesterday. There were people doing all kinds of activities, taking advantage of the warm sun before the chill. Thank you for reading, my friend. ❤
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It’s always a pleasure. ❤
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💖😊
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GREAT photos. Well done, as usual. That turtle looks ferocious. Ugh!
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Thank you. Yes, John, it was referred to as a monster for a reason!
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Great photos as always. I liked the ducks and staircase in particular
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Thank you so much, Bella! People are creative to have access to the lake. It’s a good place to spend an hour or two.
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A great place for wandering, but that turtle sunning on the rock would have been the find of the day for me! How neat. Thanks for sharing where you live.
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This lake is a great treat for us, Rusha! I almost prefer looking at the water over the mountain. Thank you for reading.
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What a beautiful lake for people to enjoy various activites. Enjoy reading the background information. Love these bird captures. Thank you for the tour, Miriam. 🙂
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It was a busy day with all kind of activities yesterday. People enjoyed walking in the warm sun on a winter day. 🙂
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What a pretty lake and a beautiful warm day to enjoy a walk. Take advantage of the lovely autumn (summery) weather, because winter is on its way. ❤
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It’s still kind of warm with a soft sun today, Diana. Yes, we’ll have a wet winter. I saw the cloudy sky in Portland from the video chat with my daughter. We could use more rain here. ❤
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You can have some of ours! If this keeps up, we’ll be flooding again. Strange weather.
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Looks a lovely spot for recreation, Miriam! Nice having it that close too. What boistrous weather you have had – hopefully it will calm down so you can walk there more. Love it that the wild animals have made it their home – and I sure would have liked to see Old Bob!
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We’re fortunate to have this large lake. The city keeps the horse trails and biking trails for miles and passing through the lake. The dry and hot and gusty Santa Ana wind contributes to the heat and fires are over for the year. Hopefully, the wet winter helps to restore some burnt sites. I thought of posting Old Bob from the internet images. I might just do that! 🙂
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😀
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Beautiful day in your neighborhood! ❤ Thanks so much for sharing, Miriam. xo
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The sun is still warm today. It’s nice to get out a little bit. Thanks, Bette! ❤
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Thank you for sharing your lovely neighborhood oasis with us, Miriam! I would love to sit and watch those white ducks paddling around, perhaps toss them some bread if it’s allowed.
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I’m taking my walk right now, by myself today. It’s not recommended to feed the ducks to encourage the migration in the winter. Thank you for reading, Liz.
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I wasn’t sure whether feeding the ducks would be allowed. I know there are reasons it’s discouraged in some areas. It’s such a fun thing to do though.
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Yes, people still let the kids to feed the ducks but don’t make it a habit though. It has to do with the ducks’ diet also, the way I understand.
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That makes sense.
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❤ ❤
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More activities today 😊.
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🙂
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What a lovely spot Miriam, and nice to have it so nearby, especially during pandemic restrictions. I was hoping to see a capture of Old Bob but alas I guess he’s long gone. Nice to see so many out enjoying the lake and the sunshine. Lovely images.
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Yes, Tina, Old Bob was placed in a sanctuary shortly after he was found. I’ll find an image from the internet to post it here. It was a warm day again yesterday and more people were out doing different things.
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What a beautiful spot Miriam:) Is Old Bob still around?
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Thank you, Denise. I think he was taken to a turtle or animal sanctuary. The lake was beautiful in a sense that it had a Lily patch with lotus flowers. Ducks layed eggs on it. I didn’t know the water was getting shallow enough to have a lily patch.
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Lovely place to go for a stroll, Miriam…and I like that turtle!
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It was nice, Teresa. I should go again today. I looked this colorful turtle 🐢!
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Beautiful shots, Miriam. I love the turtle. He looks so proud. Thanks for sharing.
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There are a couple colorful turtles 🐢, Jill. Most of them are dark gray. I counted about 10 of them. There were babies also. Thank you for reading.
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Oh how lovely, Miriam. Thank you for this glimpse of our beautiful area. Today, like always, your photos leave me with a sense of awe for the natural world. ❤
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Thank you, Gwen. It was nice to get out for a walk. If I had gone by myself, I could have walked longer and stayed longer. My husband usually takes it as something to be done. 😉💖
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Reblogged this on Anita Dawes & Jaye Marie ~ Authors.
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Thank you, Jaye.
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I really enjoyed strolling around this beautiful lake…
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The lake is nice, Jaye. I should go as often as I could when weather permits.
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So would I…
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It’s still warm and ☀️ sunny!
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Man made becomes part of nature – but what happened to Old Bob when they drained the lake?
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It became harzardous at one point with fish dying. Old Bob was taken to a sanctuary. They relocated the ducks and brought them back. It was quite a job of two years.
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Miriam – wow – Laguna lake is one of the most beautiful lakes in California, great weather, enjoyable walk and of course a wonderful breathing…
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These sights bring so much joy during these unusual times, great pictures and very interesting to read the history of the lake 🙂
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Thank you, the lake is nice. We’re thankful for it. We’ve lived here since 1989 and it’s good to be close to the water. ☺️
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You’re having crazy weather, Miriam. 89 degrees in November? We’re starting to get more rain up north. That is a wonderful lake. You’ve done justice to it with all of these fabulous shots.
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We had crazy weather, Pete. It’s good the rain started up north. Our rain season is later and hope to have a good rain winter. We need it. The lake is so convenient.
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This looks like a lovely place to walk, Miriam. You certainly have had unfortunate circumstances over the past few months. Hopefully, it will all pass soon.
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The lake is nice. Yes, Robbie, I’m afraid we’ll always have the fires. It’s scary.
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What a nice lake and interesting history. That’s great that you live so close!
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Yes, I’m thankful for that. Some people come from the neighboring cities to walk!
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