Yesterday was a totally fantastic day! Yay! We arrived at Silver Lake to find the sun shining, glassy water and …a lake that was much different than when we last saw it.
This is “our” lagoon where we sit and watch lake life go by. Note that it’s full and the two small islands are real islands. I believe this was in July and the first time we had a beach to sit on.Yesterday’s lagoon. A LOT of beach and the two islands have land bridges to them. ‘Twas amazing! We could see tiny critters running back and forth on the land bridge. I imagine they were looking for food to store up for the long winter.
Well, Jerri and I set up our beach chairs, put on our life jackets (now called personal flotation devices or PFDs) and zoomed out in the lake to relish what will probably be our last time kayaking for this year. The air was nice and warm, but we could tell it wouldn’t be long before there are freezing temperatures.
As we were paddling, Jerri noticed two bald eagles that seemed to be harassing a small flock of ducks. The eagles would dive bomb the ducks (mergansers?) and then the ducks would flap their wings and sort of “run” on the water. We don’t know if they had fish the eagles wanted or whatever, but we watched them for maybe 10 minutes repeating their actions before the eagles flew away. Sadly, no pictures as they were too far away. The “show” was fun though.We landed on the far side of the lake where we knew there was a small pond that had been fed by melting snow. We wondered if it had dried up. We hiked up some rocks and found our little pond. Yes, it was still there but much smallerOur second favorite lagoon and one we use at the beginning of the season (because it has a beach before our favorite does). Every time we have been there this summer, there has been a tiny waterfall feeding into this spot and one can hear the trickling of water. So pretty and serene. These two photos are from June and JulyThe lagoon (as we call it) is a fun place to play in because of varying depths and the water is very warm in some of the areas.This is sort of the same view as the one directly above, but perhaps a bit closer to where the water should be. We did not expect it to be bone dry.
This is our first time seeing the lake in October due to a heat wave and it being warm enough to kayak. We surely did have a good time and made the most of our time there. Our arms are sore today from all that paddling!
Here is the explanation for the decline and why it’s done. Silver Lake is a California reservoir and this receding is an annual occurrence because the water is used by CA for drinking water. Even if California does not need the water, the lake needs to go down so that it can receive the snow melt next spring to help prevent flooding and hold the water for when it’s needed.
We could see that autumn is upon us during our way home. The aspens are quaking and shimmering in all their glory, making it a very pretty ride during part of the way home.
Lake Babes — you each added your sisterly beauty to the autumnal scenes around Silver Lake, punctuated by the golden hues of the aspen lining the roadway home. -RDS
buzzardnotes 
Lake Babes — you each added your sisterly beauty to the autumnal scenes around Silver Lake, punctuated by the golden hues of the aspen lining the roadway home. -RDS
You’re too sweet, RDS! We love YOU!
“Shimmering in all their glory“ are the aspens and is the whole landscape. Thank you, Cora! Love, Angel
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