A Come Back

 I am going to make a comeback with this blog. I gave it up a couple of years ago thinking that it was not getting enough readers. Right now I am thinking about a once or twice a month post. 

Love this great park. 

Guernsey State Park and the Silt Run is on

The lake is down as far as it can go with the silt run in full force. No good for water sports but still a great time to watch wildlife or hike the trails. Also nice time for a picnic in one of the old time CCC shelters. Looks like the lake will be full by the end of July, and water sports time again.

 Family  heading to  the shelter at Long Canyon for a picnic

From a recent hike in the park - Near Brimmer Point

The view from Sitting Bull Shelter

Love watching the Bluebirds in all the new houses in the park

While the lake is nothing more than a river this post has a few shots I took in the park the past couple of weeks. 

Nice little one - yearling Mule Deer

Small Rattlesnake crossing the road

Frosty the Snow Deer

I thought it might be fun to make a Christmas Card from Guernsey State Park.

We have enjoyed watching the deer we call Whitey, and others call Snowflake, the last two years. I  have taken dozens of photos of her, many of them with her buddy shown here. For no particular reason, I think that I will call her friend Priscilla. 

  Have a wonderful Christmas and don't forget about the first-day hike, in the park, on January 1.

Whitey and Priscilla, enjoying the sun in early November.

Silt - Sandpipers & Snipes

My Knowledge of Birds is Limited, but these guys are fun to watch- Maybe Sandpiper or Snipe

The water in Guernsey lake is still low, in places not much more than the river running through.  The good news is that the lake will soon be full again. This is the last week of the silt run, and it will not be long before boats are back on the water. We still have a few weeks of warm weather, even if the kids are starting back to school. Seems like this summer went by quickly, hot, hot, hot and now all of the sudden, cooler nights and at times, sorry, the feeling of fall in the air.

Will Be Nice to See Water Here Instead of Sand and Mud

We spent some time in the park this weekend, including a pleasant walk on the deserted beach. Funny all the interesting things we run across when the water is down.

A Bit of Wood a Touch of Dry Moss and Some New Growth - I like it!

Even the wildlife seems to change with the lowering of the water.

These Little Sand Toads are Unique Creatures

As always another beautiful sunset. After our walk, we drove up on the North Bluff to the Castle and watched the sun disappear in the west.

Leaving the park in the early evening, just after sundown, we would be very disappointed if we did not see a few deer or turkey on our way back to town. We were not disappointed. 

Nice Mule Deer Doe and Fawns

On another note, a fire of many acres burned in the corner turning into the park from the highway. Unfortunately, with the burn the power pole that held a huge Osprey nest the past two years (they raised a little one this year) was burned to the ground. I am sure the birds survived with no trouble, but now without the nest, we probably will not see them again next year. 

Osprey On the Nest

Another great day in Wyoming - oh - and at Guernsey State Park

Sunset From the Castle

A New Year in the Parks

It's a New Year - That means time for a new State Park Permit. 

Glad they don't charge extra for being poorly aligned 

They are a few dollars cheaper for a few weeks, better get yours now. Don't miss out on things like this

Nice Buck

What a Sunset

And this

Out for a walk

And this

CCC Hiking Trails

Join the fun the permits are good all year in every Wyoming State Park - A real life bargain.

Find out more about the park here - My book on Amazon

New Year's Day Hike in the Park

The lake is frozen except for a few tiny spots. I find it interesting that when I see an open spot it is filled with migrating ducks. 

Ducks and Geese still find a bit of open water

The cold also seems to group the resident herd of mule deer, where I used to see one I now find several. 

Dinner time

Hiking is at a standstill for us with snow and ice covering most of the trails. We are hoping to make the New Years Day hike in the park. This program is sponsored by the Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources and looks like a fun activity. We missed last year, as the weather was too cold for us, looks like it will be a bit better this year and we hope to give it a go.

End of the day sun backlights a doe in the park

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

On Top of a Tree

Day two of my five straight days of nature in and near the park

Too often we forget about, or take for granted, the smaller wildlife in the park - they bring the park alive for walkers/hikers and sight seers.

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!