"This is the violet hour, the hour of hush and wonder, when the affectations glow and valor is reborn, when the shadows deepen along the edge of the forest and we believe that, if we watch carefully, at any moment we may see the unicorn."


Tuesday, April 9, 2013

The Anglers Lodge - and Beyond to Animal Wednesday

Last week, I *discovered* a part of the park I never knew existed.....the Anglers Lodge and Pools.  It's three pools of varying size, where one goes to practice *Fly Fishing*...no...not bzzzz...bzzzz flies... think of Brad Pitt's flim *A River Runs Through It*. It's a very cool part of the park - not many people...but on the day I found it, the two men who run it invited me into the old lodge.... a real thing of beauty. The club that currently occupies the Lodge was organized in 1933, as an offshoot of the San Francisco Fly Casting Club, which dates back to 1894. The original location of the club was Stow Lake, but moved to its present space when the facilities were completed in 1939.


I didn't take this one....it came from their website.




This one I did take....you can see one of the casting pools....




Dragonfly Stained Glass Window




Wooden Shutters with *Fishies*.  I was just there at the right time to catch the Sun shining through them.



Fish (of course) are everywhere throughout the building - even on the floor!

I was invited back to try my hand at *Fly Casting*.....free lessons on Saturdays!  Perhaps I'll give it a try one day! A-ha-ha!

After I left the Lodge, I continued my wandering through the Park...and of course, met some more *Friends*!




The Red Winged Blackbirds have returned!  I missed their electric red feathers and *purr-like* calls during the Winter.. This little guy actually ate out of my hand.....but I couldn't feed him and take a photo at the same time...




Feed me!  I love bread!



Thank you...yum-yum!



These two were serenading me with their sweet voices!



The Koi like to eat bread too.....these two were scrambling to get some!



Hmm.....Turtle Love?




Managed to catch Mr. Gopher  enjoying a bit of Salad!

Happy Animal Wednesday to everyone!

Love,

♥ Robin ♥

p.s. Blogger informed me this is my 301st post!  Who would have ever thought....

10 comments:

  1. I wonder where redwings go and why they don't just stay in the Bay Area for winter since it doesn't get cold to speak of. I like them too, and sometimes see them in the drainage canal across from my house along with kingfishers, great blue herons, and other fun birds.

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    1. Hi Snow! Yes, it is a mystery as to the whereabouts of the Redwinged Blackbirds! But, as soon as I hear their distinctive voices....I am so happy! You have Kingfishers! I am so jealous...what wonderful birds!

      I hope Spring is in full-bloom for you and Peg - and the *Fur-Kids*!

      Love,

      ♥ Robin ♥

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  2. Lots of wonderful photos here. Nice to find something new too. Love love love the snowy egret sitting there and the raccoon and your red winged blackbirds seem more red then ours. we have red with yellow bars on ours up here.
    Thanks for sharing your walk.

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    1. Cris....I am enjoying our Spring weather too! This is my little break between my *Winter* job and my Opera work - which begins next month!

      I think of you, Con, Annie and Daisy - with the Chickens, Ducks and Turkeys!

      Love,

      ♥ Robin ♥

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  3. Oh my , what a beautiful place! Like a piece of paradise! Love that stained glass window!! I used to work with stained glass. I also was a fly fisher woman with all the necessary gear. DH and I have a stream near our Wisconsin home only now he fishes and I sketch lol.
    Love this post Robin.

    Hugs

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    1. Teri....why am I NOT surprised you and DH have *fly-fished* before! I would love to try it - but if I caught anything, I would throw it back!

      The Angler Lodge IS a beauty.... I hope to re-visit one day soon!

      Love,

      ♥ Robin ♥

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  4. Wow, what a wonderful walk!! So many critters, and to get to try your hand at fly-fishing, magical.

    That's supposed to be a very relaxing, zen like experience once you're into it. It's addictive, in a good way!

    Wonderful shots LS. Emma misses those gophers!

    xoxo
    Lo♥

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    1. LS.... you never know...one day, we may take this walk together!!! In the meantime, I can share with my friends and Zusters!

      Miss you.

      Love to all,

      ♥ LS ♥

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  5. I'm coming out this summer and we're going to vist that fishie house. I love it. Xoxo mim.

    Ps Renee would have been proud of you with 301 posts.

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  6. Mim...ooh...I hope we can connect this Summer!!! Thanks for noticing my comment about posting...I couldn't believe it myself! Yes, I feel Renee chuckling every time I do a post!

    Love,

    ♥ Robin ♥

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