Snowy Morning December 26, 2012

This bird is waiting patiently for the ducks to leave the neighbor's bird feeder.

The ducks are searching out some of John's cracked corn for breakfast.

Noon - December 2, 2012

 This person is not letting a little rain curtail his walking.

 HUGE tree limbs are bobbing along like tiny sticks.

 Looking at Idelwild park. Reno police are frequently seen keeping an eye on the river level.

 Ah yes, this duck is persistent even with the water rising!

Sunday Morning

 The ducks are loving all of this rain.

 The tomato plants are past their prime. They certainly were enjoyed by many during the summer.

 A 'ittle bit higher this morning.

 

Sunday morning, December 2nd, video.

First of December 2012 - Angry River

 

I thought videos of the river as the storm progresses might be interesting to view. This video shows the high water from the rain Reno received on Friday, November 30th.  The door and large, picture window have sandbags covering them as we wait in anticipation of the flood warning for tonight and tomorrow, December 2nd.

 

Yesterday, we started feeding the ducks cracked corn and they love it. One minute there were five ducks sharing the corn and a minute later there were seventeen! They are so much fun to watch. Interesting that the six brothers and sisters are great at sharing but when another couple of ducks show up they put up quite the fuss to get them away. I stare and stare at the baby ducks trying to figure out which are males or females, from their coloring, but so far I still don't have a clue.

Magnificient Mitchell Educators Enjoying the Truckee

Baby Mallard Ducks - Oh my, how they have grown!

The ducks stopped by for some tiny bread bites just as they did when they were babies. We hadn't seen them together in over four weeks. Amazing that all six of them were swimming with their mom all these weeks later!

Summertime Conversations

Yesterday afternoon we had a small group of educators join us on the patio to enjoy the river and have great conversations. It was wonderful seeing them. Summertime allows all of us to get our batteries recharged!

Summertime Sunday

This morning I decided I would read a book and count the rafters that went by. It started quite slowly with only a few. I finished the book in a couple of hours and counted 160 ... that was early in the afternoon. There were times, in one glance, there were 25 floating by. So my unscientific count for Sunday, July 15th is over 500. It is almost sunset and they are still floating by ... their cries of pain, as they don't quite make it over the rocks that are hidden just under the surface, are the first clue that they are still out there.

Springtime - Baby Mallard Ducks!

Summer Brings Rafters

Fly Fishing on the Truckee

Fall Along the Banks of the Truckee

ANGRY River

River of Rafters

I believe over 300 people have rafted in front of our house today. What a great way to enjoy summer without technology (oh my, that would surely get wet/ruined) and spend time with people you enjoy. Seems like a low cost, relaxing and cooling activity. I also get the sense that those who pass by think they are alone with the "elements". Some of the activities they take part in while leisurely floating by remind me that the world is made up of different strokes for different folks.

I wonder if their floating habits mimic their personalities? Some lean back, relax and let the current carry them along. Others paddle like crazy, or kick away like it is a race. There must be something comforting about reaching out to touch and water.

I remember the sirens I heard a couple of weeks ago not realizing why they sounded so close by. Later the evening news reported of the person who lost his life enjoying this relaxing past time. I was thinking it has been a very good Saturday as those sirens haven't sounded again. As I watch those floating by I am certain they never think about how quickly their raft could overturn sending them sailing into the current. With the water so low their heads could easily thump into one of those rocks. Is it human nature to ignore danger?

Summer evening on the Truckee

The beautiful summer sunset in colors of purple, pink, and orange against the vivid, blue sky make the river look magical. The reflection of these colors shimmers across the surface as the river flows quickly over the rocks. In the distance I can hear a drummer and the voices of people in the park mixed in with the sound of the river. I wonder if it will rain tomorrow? Sure would help the level of the river. The cries of rafters slamming their bottoms into rocks increases as the water level decreases.

This morning there were new baby ducks with their mom along the river bank. Isn't it strange that on July 11th babies are being born? They are very different from mallard baby ducks. They can dart around faster than any other duckling. I wonder what kind of duck they are? Last night, when walking with Carol, she pointed out a heron that sits in one spot and rarely moves. He certainly is patient waiting for a fish to swim by. I can hear the rafters out the window yelling at each other. They get so darn excited when they go over the rapids. Someday I am going to count how many float by each day. It is 100 degrees here  so many people seek out the cool Truckee to beat the heat!

July 11, 2012

A wonderful friend of mine suggested that I begin this blog site sharing my love of the Truckee River. So often during conversations, I share with others details about the river. Each day, as the seasons rotate from fall to winter, winter to spring and now to summer the river changes. I look forward to sharing with others what is just outside my door!