Kirkland parks are thawing and still thriving with things to do

This period of restriction due to weather disruptions has reminded me of a book I read years ago that examined the relationships of time perception and cultures. In our own culture, time is seen as linear, fast moving, and something we are almost in competition with, but this is not true of all cultures. I suspect many of us got a dose of slower, more cyclical time as our normal schedules were disrupted by weather and bad roads. But it was also necessary, for me at least, to suspend my impatience and relax into the beauty as I fretted about how it interfered with normal, planned activities, and just getting around. The snow was certainly beautiful as it came down, especially at night as it reflected in the street lights’ glow against Douglas firs and rooftops. During the thaw, there’s still much going on around our parks.

December 29, 2008 7:24 pm

This period of restriction due to weather disruptions has reminded me of a book I read years ago that examined the relationships of time perception and cultures. In our own culture, time is seen as linear, fast moving, and something we are almost in competition with, but this is not true of all cultures. I suspect many of us got a dose of slower, more cyclical time as our normal schedules were disrupted by weather and bad roads. But it was also necessary, for me at least, to suspend my impatience and relax into the beauty as I fretted about how it interfered with normal, planned activities, and just getting around. The snow was certainly beautiful as it came down, especially at night as it reflected in the street lights’ glow against Douglas firs and rooftops. During the thaw, there’s still much going on around our parks.

Kirkland Parks

The long period of cold weather has frozen Juanita Bay almost to the buoys. Juanita Beach has actually been the better waterfowl viewing venue. Given the forecast, the Bay will probably be mostly opened up again this week.

While many were kept out of the park by the difficulty of getting around in this weather, people still walked into the park regularly, evidenced by trampled snow, sledding tracks, and several snowmen.

The resident river otters have been easier to spot because they had to cross the ice to reach diving holes, and they are very distinct movers. Because of their long backs, they move like a vertical hinged door, up and down, loping very quickly across the exposed ice. Juncos and varied thrushes who migrate from higher elevations to lower ones in the winter, along with various sparrow species, resident or winter visitors, are present. Around Christmas, five swans were staying in the Bay. There were still snipe and a very chilled looking killdeer there just before the deep freeze, and Anna’s hummingbird was seen on the first Sunday walk.

Green Calendar

Friday, Jan. 2: Marymoor Park, Redmond. This monthly Eastside Audubon bird walk is from 9-12. Meet at Parking Lot D, by the dog area. No pre-registration or charge for the walk, but there is a $1 parking fee at this King County Park.

Saturday, Jan. 3: This is a rescheduled date for the Eastside Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count. Pre-registration required. Information can be found at www.eastsideaudubon.org.

Sunday, Jan. 4: First Sunday walk at Juanita Bay. Meet the volunteer ranger at the kiosk by the parking lot at 1 p.m. No pre-registration or fee.

Wednesday, Jan. 14: Sustainable Futures Book Club, Redmond Regional Library, 7 p.m. The January selection is either Affluenzia (book or video) by David Wann and John DeGroot, or David Wann’s Simple Prosperity.