1st kayaking of 2014

I have visited the nearby reservoirs. 

This is Boca reservoir, drying up as are most of California's reservoirs.  A short drive to the north is Stampede reservoir.  There are no access points that I could find, so I parked on the side of the road and walked thru the forest to see this reservoir.  Along the way I found a Brown Creeper, Mt Chickadees, Pygmy and White-breasted Nuthatches, Steller's Jays, and 2 Purple Finches.  I needed to listen to the iPod to confirm that ID.   !!!

This is Prosser reservoir.  The water level is way down now, It used to have a much larger lake.  I paddled the perimeter today.  Canada Geese, a pair of Common Mergansers, and a Bald Eagle.  The 3rd photo is Silver truck on shore that 10 years ago was underwater.

With the camera at full zoom, focus is not perfect, but a Bald Eagle is exciting to see.

pictures for Wednesday

The same photo from last time, only cropped so the subject is visible.

Another photo from Mt Rose Highway

Farad is an old hydro-electric plant built in the late 1800's to supply power to the first silver mine in the US.  This is the water flume that runs along Hwy 80.

March is half over

We had a week of intermittent rain and snow.  Ski areas received a little more snow on the mountain tops.  Managers are hoping Spring Break time will bring more people to the slopes.
     Last week I went to Tahoe Meadows for a walk in the snow.  One bird, a Brown Creeper, was seen.  It was a beautiful winter morning.  I set the camera on top of its case, and had it take a photo of me.
    The following day I drove to one of many trailheads for Tahoe Rim Trail and walked a piece along the Truckee River.  Birders can see my ebird list.
    And back to work.  5 co-workers have quit Northstar and moved on to school, more preferred jobs, or just going home.

 Hooded Merganser females on the Truckee River.
below:  Black-necked Stilt foraging.