The day began with a beautiful sunrise viewed from my back yard. Please click on the photo if you want to enlarge it.This is our favorite “lagoon” at Silver Lake, just off Hwy 88 in California. It was so pretty and still this particular morning. Our first kayak ride was a long one because we knew that wind might come up and it’s not fun to be paddling with a wind in our faces and waves coming at us. Our next stop was at the white area at water’s edge in sort of the central part of the photo .We clambered up the slope and the first thing we saw was a fire pit! This is a hugeno no in such tinder dry land. Someone chopped down a small tree and burned it. Granted, it’s in a rocky area, but winds can arise in the blink of an eye and spread sparks quickly in this super dry region. There was no evidence that the person had drowned the fire after they were finished with it. We were outraged! And yes, we made sure it was a dead fire.We were surprised to paddle around the peninsula we were on in the above photo to find an arm of Silver Lake. Normally, this area is a tiny pond with many tree stumps. So fun to find something new, even if it is temporary. See the next photo for what it usually looks like.This is the tiny pond last summer. You can see tree stumps and a large muddy “beach” in the background. The lake is a reservoir for CA drinking water and it goes down a lot every summer. There will be very little water in this tiny pond in early September. ‘Tis the time for pollen in the mountains. This is our favorite place to park our stuff when the lake goes down enough to have a small beach in July. I should explain that even though the lake is full, the snow pack was small, thus melting sooner. Usually, it is still too cold and sometimes icy in June, so we aren’t able to kayak until early July. This year is the earliest we’ve been on the lake. I think that’s why we’re seeing some new things.Pollen with a bit of reflecting sun.Gertrude and Henry came to see if we had any food.No Food, Henry!This flotilla of geese visited us while Gertrude and Henry were there 17 in all with H and G).They didn’t seem to mind me in their midst and didn’t beg for food.The flotilla left and then a goose family arrived to visit a bit. Yes, they got a few tidbits. Those goslings already know the system! They were just fledging out their feathers but still had peeps for voices. They left after a few minutes and then Henry and Gertrude came back (We knew it was them because Henry had a loose feather on his backside)Henry & Gertrude were minding their own business when the gander from the goose family came roaring back…literally walking on water with his wings outstretched. Henry & Gertrude were startled but didn’t run off. Lots of hissing and wing flapping between them but all ended well. We think the gander thought first two were getting food that he didn’t get.What the gander looked like coming straight at us and G & H. (internet photo) Very intimidating!
We never know what we’ll see on our kayaking adventures. Something new or different every time. We hope to see some bald eagles and ospreys next time out.
We had planned to go kayaking this morning because the lake will be too crowded later in the week due to the holiday. But the weather has cooled from the 90s last week and to the high 30s early this morning with a slight possibility of rain and lightning near Silver Lake. So, we went shopping in Reno instead. We were glad we made that decision because as we came home, we could see huge thunderheads building where we would have been.
buzzardnotes 
Thanks for sharing this. I won’t ever be there, but I feel I have been. Pictures and narrative are perfect! Glad you had fun.
It’s always fun p there. Thanks for your comment and that you felt as though you were there. Love and hugs, Cora