My rental car sits alone in the lot as I commence my hike

It was a bit chilly when I started my hike from the parking area at Anderson Marsh SHP (Lower Lake) a bit after 10 AM, but as the afternoon wore on, staying warm was no problem at all. In fact, I was grateful for any shade I could find and wishing I had brought along just a bit more drinking water. I was headed for the McVicar Audubon Preserve and hoping to reach the southern shore of Clear Lake — although with the water levels low, I wasn’t sure I could manage to hike that far. By the time I returned to the car, I had logged 5.5 miles and was more than ready to head home and relax the rest of the day!

I passed through oak-shaded woodland early in my hike

Big thanks to whoever put this bench here — the only one along the trail

“In Memory of Richard Kurz, M.D.”

Another sign that cattle once grazed here

I’ve photographed this tree before, but it always fascinates me

Teasel grows thick along the southern-most reach of Clear Lake, known as North Cove. This was as close as I was going to get to the main body; and by the time I had reached here I was plenty warm and extremely ready to turn back. Although… that lovely little grove of trees just up the trail, the only oasis of shade along this bare and sun-soaked shoreline, proved absolutely irresistible.

I was so busy appreciating the shade here that I nearly forgot to take a better photo!

I have many questions about this huge bone fragment I found — with AA battery for scale

Heading back; I can see my car from here!