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If you live in the White Rock Lake area, there is no need to subscribe to National Geographic or travel the world to witness breathtaking wildlife, because these fine-feathered creatures gather here in your own backyard.

PHOTOS BY ROBERT BUNCH

STORY BY CHRISTINA HUGHES BABB

CloCkwise from above/ The mourning dove, often seen in open fields or on overhead perches such as telephone poles, might soon be outnumbered by the larger whitewinged doves that have moved here from the south, says betsy baker, an audubon member and bird watcher who frequents the old fish hatchery, a popular birding spot southwest of the lake./ The american white pelican can often be spotted in sunset bay, near the southeastern shore of the lake./ The brown thrasher has a repertoire of more than 2,000 original songs./ The northern mockingbird, our state bird, is named for the male’s habit of mimicking the songs of all the birds it hears in its lifetime.

ABOVE/ Many people consider the vividly colored wood duck to be the most beautiful of all waterfowl, Baker says, pointing out its so-called “Cleopatra eye”. She says that a local Boy Scout troop helps the White Rock Lake wood duck population by placing nest boxes around the lake and hatchery. It’s not always easy for wood ducks to find a suitable natural nesting environment. In manmade alternatives, hens can nest in relative safety from predators .

TOP/ The blue jay, which resides in the eastern states, is known for its intelligence, complex social systems with tight family bonds and, by the casual observer, for its noisy calls. But the blue jay has a more musical and softer sound than one might expect, Baker says. CENTER/ Robins might be seen “flying overhead in flocks on early winter mornings, hunting for worms in damp patches, alone or in small groups,” Baker notes. “They really seem to get around.” BOTTOM/ Yellow-rumped warblers are affectionately called “butterbutts” by some bird lovers, Baker says. “These little birds with the patch of bright yellow feathers just above the beginning of the tail are here year round and can often be found foraging in flocks,” she says.

TOP/ The male northern cardinal, though familiar, never fails to turn heads with its breathtaking plumage, which is especially evident against the backdrop of a snowy winter day. “Called the redbird by many locals, the iconic bird of Christmas cards is well represented in all seasons at White Rock,” Baker says. BOTTOM/ Cedar Waxwings gather by the hundreds to indulge in their favorite treat, berries. “A flock of waxwings can clean a bush or small tree of berries in no time,” Baker says. “In late winter or spring, when the berries have fermented, you might see a flock of drunken waxwings staggering about or sleeping it off on the ground.” sary in Ridgewood Park United Methodist Church, and we maintain a low teacher/ student ratio. Our school year begins in September, so call for information regarding availability or to schedule a tour.

ST. jOHN’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL

848 Harter Rd. Dallas 75218 / 214.328.9131 www.stjohnsschool. org / Founded in 1953, St. John’s is an independent, co-educational day school for Pre-K through Grade 8. With a tradition for academic excellence, St. John’s programs include a challenging curriculum in a Christian environment along with instruction in the visual and performing arts, Spanish, German, French, and opportunities for athletics and community service. St. John’s goal for its students is to develop a love for learning, service to others, and leadership grounded in love, humility, and wisdom. Accredited by ISAS, SAES, and the Texas Education Agency.

White Rock North School

9727 White Rock Trail Dallas / 214.348.7410. 2 Years through 5th Grade. 45 years of successful students! Our accelerated curriculum provides opportunity for intellectual and physical development in a loving and nurturing environment. Character-building and civic responsibility are stressed. Facilities include indoor swimming pool, skating rink, updated playground, and state-of-the-art technology lab. Kids Club on the Corner provides meaningful afterschool experiences. Summer Camp offers field trips, swimming, and a balance of indoor and outdoor activities designed around fun-filled themes. Accredited by SACS. Call for a tour of the campus. www.WhiteRockNorthSchool.com.

Zion Lutheran School

6121 E. Lovers Ln. Dallas / 214.363.1630

Toddler care thru 8th Grade. Serving Dallas for over 58 years offering a quality education in a Christ-centered learning environment. Degreed educators minister to the academic, physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of students and their families. Before and after school programs, Extended Care, Parents Day Out, athletics, fine arts, integrated technology, Spanish, outdoor education, Accelerated Reader, advanced math placement, and student government. Accredited by National Lutheran School & Texas District Accreditation Commissions and TANS. Contact Principal Jeff Thorman.

Red-naped woodpecker would be a more apt name for the red-bellied woodpecker — red on the back of their necks is always visible. He is the larger of the two most commonly seen woodpeckers at the lake; the smaller is the downy woodpecker.n

B a P t IS t

FOReSt MeadOW / 9150 Church Rd. / Welcoming the mosaic of cultures living in our neighborhoods / www.fmbcdallas.org

Worship 10:50 / Bible Study 9:30 / Tim Ahlen, Pastor / 214.341.9555

WIlSHIRe BaPtISt / 4316 Abrams / 214.452.3100

Pastor George A. Mason Ph.D. / Worship 8:30 & 11:00 am

Bible Study 9:40 am / www.wilshirebc.org

BIBle c HUR c H e S

NORtH HIGHlaNdS BIBle cHURcH / www.nhbc.net

Sunday: Lifequest (all ages) 9:00 am / Worship 10:30 am

Wed: Student Ministry 7:00 pm / 9626 Church Road / 214.348.9697

cHUR c H OF c HRIS t

SkIllMaN cHURcH OF cHRISt / 3014 Skillman St.

Sunday School 9:30 am / Sunday Worship 10:30 am

Grace Café & Bible Study Wed. 6:00 pm / 214.823.2179

dIS c IPle S OF cHRIS t

e a St dalla S cHRIStIaN cHURcH / 629 N. Peak Street / 214.824.8185

Sunday School 9:30 am / THE TABLE Worship Gathering 9:30 am

Worship 8:30 & 10:50 am / Rev. Deborah Morgan / www.edcc.org

ePIS c OPal

cHURcH OF tHe INcaRNatION / 3966 McKinney Ave / 214.521.5101

Sunday: Traditional 7:30, 9:00, 11:15 am and 5:00 pm

Contemporary 9:00, 11:15 am and 6:00 pm / incarnation.org

St. JOHN’S ePIScOPal cHURcH / 848 Harter Road, 75218

Sunday Worship: 8:00 & 10:30 am / Christian Ed. 9:00 am

214.321.6451 / www.stjohnsepiscopal.org

IN te R- de NOMIN at ION al

GRaceHIll cOMMUNIt Y / www.gracehill.cc

10:00 am @ Dallas Children’s Theater / Skillman & NW Hwy.

Awesome Kid’s Ministry / Use Entrance facing Home Depot

lU t H e R a N

FIRSt UNIted lUtHeRaN cHURcH / 6202 E Mockingbird Ln.

Sunday Worship Service 10:30 am / Call for class schedule.

214.821.5929 / www.dallaslutheran.org

ZION lUtHeRaN cHURcH & ScHOOl / 6121 E Lovers Ln.

Sunday: Sunday School 9:15 am, Worship 8:00 am, 10:30 am, & 6:00 pm / 214.363.1639 / www.ziondallas.org

M et HOdIS t

l ake HIGHlaNdS UMc / 9015 Plano Rd. (at McCree)

214.348.6600 / www.lhumc.com / Sun. School 9:45 am

Sun. Worship 8:30 & 11:00 Traditional / 11:00 Contemporary

NON- de NOMIN at ION al

l ake HIGHlaNdS cHURcH / 9919 McCree

Sun. Classes 9:30 am, Assembly 11:00 am / 214.348.0460

Home groups meet on weeknights. / lakehighlandschurch.org

WHIte ROck cOMMUNIt Y cHURcH / 9353 Garland Rd /214.320.0043

Sun. Bible Study 9:30 am, Worship 10:45 am / Wed. Bible Studies

10:00 am & 7:30 pm / event facilities for rent / whiterockchurch.org

P R e SBY te RI a N

l ake HIGHlaNdS PReSBY teRIaN cHURcH / 214.348.2133

8525 Audelia Road at NW Hwy. / www.lhpres.org

Christian Ed. 9:45 am, 9:00 am Contemporary, 11:00 am Traditional

Ne W St. PeteR’S PReSBY teRIaN cHURcH / 214.438.0120

Meet at Dallas Children’s Theater – Skillman at NW Hwy

Worship: 9:30 am / www.newstpeters.org

NORtHPaRk PReSBY teRIaN cHURcH / 214.363.5457 9555 N. Central Expwy. / www.northparkpres.org

New Pastor: Rev. Brent Barry / 8:30 & 11:00 am Sunday Services