I thought I lost a personal item of no monetary value when I was at Echo Park Lake yesterday. So I went to the lake this morning at about 9:30. It was pouring rain, and I didn't find what I was looking for. But, despite getting wet, it was nice to be down there. The American coots, the ducks and the geese were business as usual, many of them standing on the walkway, some bobbing in the water, some setting in the grass. I miss the lake birds. Right now is a good time to see wild ducks who winter in Echo Park.