Photo by Martin Cox, April 2007

The Martin Cox photo, above, was taken -- and sent to me -- in April in the midst of the extreme winds that blew over fences (i.e., one of mine), ripped away tree limbs and blew all kinds of leaves and detritus into Echo Park Lake, including this life ring, of which the above turtle is making such poetic use. This turtle, like the many hundreds of others in Echo Park Lake, will be facing the fates when the lake is drained for cleaning in a year or two. No more sunning on the banks of turtle island, at least for a while.

A staffer at the LA Times fretted about it in today's paper. The question they asked is: where will the turles go?

Not to mention the egrets (which have a nest this year at the park), the wild and domestic ducks. ... Not all of these creatures are cut out for the wild rushing of the LA River, even if they knew how to find it or got a ride.

But, speaking of the river, I went there, more or less, on Sunday. A family and friends visit to Taylor Yards, which is just getting started but already full of park-goers: soccer teams of all ages and both sexes; kids at the playground; general-use visitors; a couple of kite-flyers -- the winds were brisk. Many trees have been planted, but they're tiny saplings. I willed them to grow fast, but don't know if they were listening. From the open fields, a view of LA's oldest park from what may be its newest. I searched the horizon to the south and found the area in Elysian Park where most of dog-walking Echo Park meets -- in the middle of the green mountain belt, it appears, which is the far western edge of the park. The water tower is the landmark. From there I found the western trail that curves above the valley and the Golden State Freeway. I could see the black plastic sheeting that has been taped to the hillside to keep it in place since the heavy rains of a couple of years ago. Part of the trail was washed away down the precipitous decline. But now I'm wondering if it's time to remove the plastic.

We looked for an easy way to walk to the river's edge and didn't find it. Apparently, a communicating bridge or tunnel is intended but hasn't been built. In fact, much of the park feels brand brand new -- new native plants, new grave, new fences -- and pristine.

Again, speaking of the river, Jay Babcock, Arthur Magazine editor and publisher, is a truly fine river blogger. And an active Friend of the LA River.