Echo Park Lake - Maria the Goose

Another update - Feb. 7

Dominic and I walked Maria around the lake this morning, and a photographer from the L.A. Times showed up purposely to see Maria and take some photos. We invited him to come this Saturday.

Latest news Feb. 4

Wall Street Journal is doing an article about Maria, and is notified of our walk event on Meet up. Local TV news stations may show up with their cameras. We are going to sing to Maria...I will have copies of the words to the song "Maria" (From the movie "Westside Story") . We might be on TV

Hike (Walk) leader - Lee Zebold with Dominic Ehrler
Location: Echo Park Lake - at the picnic tables at the North end of the Lake
On Park Ave. midway between Echo Park Ave., and Glendale Blvd.

Mapquest Link: http://www.mapquest.c... (http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Los+Angeles&state=CA&address=1750+Park+Ave&zipcode=90026-3215&country=US&latitude=34.075513&longitude=-118.260029&geocode=ADDRESS) http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/8/d/f/1/highres_21216337.jpeg

Level of Hike: Easy walking on flat walkway around Echo Lake.
Distance: 1 mile round trip
Time: 1 hour
Walking pace- slow

We did this in August and here is an encore. The Lake has not been drained yet, so Maria is still safe.

Grammy Award winning and music video rockers 'OK Go' created a new video a few months ago at Echo Park Lake. The song 'End Love' was a 2 day, over-night effort that was totally disrupted by a goose that they called 'Orange Bill'. The goose's real name is 'Maria'. 'Maria' took over the video's second half and today she is a celebrity. See the video now.
http://www.youtube.co... (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2fpgpanZAw)

'Maria' is still around the Lake which will be closed in a few months for the next 2 years. Dominic, a new member of our Hiking Club meets her every morning at 8 AM and they walk around the Lake's 1 mile shoreline. Lately, Maria has accepted me, and I am now her friend.

Maria used to follow him, but now she marches ahead looking out for danger. She will not let any other goose get close .... she protects him.

Everyone smiles with amazement as they march along. I have watched it several times, and have never seen anything like it before. It is almost as if he is walking along with his dog.

Now is your chance to meet Maria and walk Echo Lake with her. She will put on a flying demonstration as well to show off her newly learned abilities (she is young and learning to fly). It will take no more than an hour and should be a hike (walk) that you won't easily forget.

The City plans to close the Lake - originally planned for December but now it is delayed....but for 2 years it will close for dredging, and making improvements that will cost $85,000,000 (I thought the City was broke???). The many birds, ducks and geese who call this home will have no place to go, and we hope we can find other locations or other people who can help find them another residence. Apparently the City officials are unconcerned.

This easy hike is wonderful for young and old.

NO DOGS PLEASE

Lee Zebold