Reno

Thursday morning I drove away from San Diego and went north to visit another visit friend.  We had not seen each other for several years.  How much her children have grown !!    We had some good talks.
      Friday afternoon and Saturday I drove north on Hwy 395 to Reno.  At first I was worried about driving the eastern Sierra highway in winter.  Its been very dry in eastern California, with less snow on the high peaks.  Water levels on Mono Lake, and other lakes are really down with each lake showing a large apron of mudflats.  The sky was overcast, so I took only a few photos. 
      My friends have a nice rental house in south Reno with an amazing view of snow-capped mountains.  Sunday morning the high peaks were spectacular against a blue sky.  In the afternoon we walked to a nearby wetlands area carrying our binoculars.  The usual Mallards, American Wigeon, Canada Geese, and Coot were present.  Then an American Bittern appeared at the grassy edge of the water with its bill pointed straight up.  Kris said, that one will get a stiff neck if he stands like that for too long.  Later on we saw a Western Bluebird in a tree.


Top right photo of Mono Lake from the highway.  Lower left photo of Sierras just north of Lee Vining.  There is not enough snow to fill the reservoirs this Spring.