Lakeshore Drive on a Windy Day

Good to be Home

After nearly a week away from home, it’s nice to be back. We did have a nice time visiting with friends and family in southeast Nebraska.

I love to take photo's of old barns when we are in Nebraska
This one, I photoshopped a bit, to give it more of a cut-out look

On the park's east side

We had a beautiful drive, along Lakeshore Drive, this afternoon, it would have been evening, but with the time change, we were a bit early for the sunset – darn!

Along the road - Lakeshore Drive

Birds of a Feather

We did see, with the lake nearly full, more ducks and geese which I always find interesting. Wish I knew the names of every kind of duck and goose, but after Mallards and Canadian Geese, I am mostly lost. Still fun to watch them swim and fly on and around the lake.

With the sun low in the western sky, and the wind making the water rough,
 makes for great color and texture in this photo

Oh - Deer Me

We had hoped to do our east side deer count, but were, once again with the time change, about an hour early. We did see 13, not bad for more than an hour before sunset. 

One antler gone  and one to go

We will give it a sunset try soon, expect to see around 25.

Deer at play in the campground at Long Canyon

Wind and the Water

The wind was howling and the lake was choppy and interesting. Today did not look like a day to be on the water, but from the bank it was terrific. 

Rough Water

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