Silt Run Birds

The silt run causes the park to go to the birds – in a good way.

Blue Heron searching for lunch in shallows

Most people seem to stay away from the park when the water goes down but not us.

Lot's of shoreline and not much water with Silt Run in full force

 This is an excellent time for bird watching. It is the only time of the year to see numerous Blue Heron and Pelicans, although they are always around, usually up the river.

Silt-laden water takes on a gray look - Pelicans don't mind

Today we watched a group of four Herons and another mile up Lakeshore Drive we watched five more.

Blue Heron Landing

As for the Pelicans, almost too many to count.

Birds seem to enjoy the new sandbar beaches

When we got home to rain and hail, hope the garden survived okay.

 

I like odd colors in the garden - how about a black petunia?

Below the Dam

One place I have always enjoyed in the park is easy to get to, but not often visited. That area is below the dam by the powerplant.

One day it was just the two of us enjoying the area below the dam

 Seldom is anyone there, except the occasional fisherman.

The Powerplant - Photo from Red Cliff Trail

There are restrooms and a nice shelter and picnic area but most often they are empty. Our favorite place is the bench near the spillway, especially when they are starting to let a lot of water downstream.

The entire area with gatehouse and spillway on right

Most visitors come to the lake, and this is the one and only area below the lake. We never stay long, ten or fifteen minutes are usually enough. Give it a try and enjoy the sound of the falls, yes falls,

The lower falls where the spillway pool tumbles into the North Platte River

there are two sets here, both small and stunning to look at.

Tiny but most impressive upper falls

Beautiful place to see history, the Gatehouse, and the Powerplant both pushing 100 years of age, both now a young looking 89, built with the dam by the Bureau of Reclamation. 

One of a kind - The Gatehouse

Wildlife in the Park

Beautiful overcast day, perfect for wildlife viewing in the park.

With the weather people telling us we may get snow on Christmas - A White Christmas seems to be a lot of animal movement in the park. 

I also enjoy the winter contrast of the near gold dried vegetation and the white and blue of the Ice.

Merry Christmas

Birds of a Feather

The silt run is on but there is still some pretty interesting things to see and do in the park. When the lake is down it always brings the pelicans and herons,

must be easy fishing this time of year.

One advantage of the silt run - plenty of places to picnic - the wonderful North Bluff Castle

Where the view is spectacular even if smoke from far off forest fires is a small distraction

When the Vultures start to circle it must mean it's time to go home.

Wyoming Spring

I Love Wyoming in the spring when the snow starts to melt, you never know what might show up. Maybe a, melting snow, field full of Canada Geese

 

 

 or a nice pair of Great Blue Heron in a roadside ditch.

 

I will be heading out to the park later today or early tomorrow to check progress on the dam project. I will post my findings in a couple of days.

 

 Enjoy this great Wyoming weather. On my southeast facing deck it's too hot to set for long and I love it.

I still find it funny every time I refer to the dam project!