Every recent memory is extra precious to me now after losing the Big Guy in late July. There were so many beautiful places he introduced me to — places I never would have learned to love if not for him. Here are just a few of the scenes from our most recent visits to Lake Berryessa in May of this […]
The summer season at Berryessa officially opens on May 5, but during our visit nearly two weeks after that date we had no trouble finding escape to the sights and sounds of nature that we were craving.
On shore fishing trips, I normally don’t get to stop and check out places like this visitor center at Lake Berryessa. We’ve passed by this sign quite a number of times without even slowing; but on this occasion, we were looking for a quiet and shady spot to eat lunch. We found what we were looking for here, and even […]
My camera finds spring wildflowers almost irresistible; and it’s always a delightful surprise for me to notice small insects going about their business among the petals. A lot of the time I don’t even realize the bugs are there until I’m going through the images on my computer at home. Most of these photos are flowers seen recently at Lake […]
If you look at a map of Lake Berryessa, you’ll find Smittle Creek just off the Berryessa Knoxville Road, tucked into the western shore and hiding behind a couple of islands (called Small Island and Big Island). The last time I explored along this trail was back in January 2019; since then, the Spanish Fire scorched vast areas on this […]
I don’t like to make excuses for my photographic failures — most of the time I understand that the fault lies with me. But sometimes no matter how hard you try, it just doesn’t happen. Take for example the red larkspur I found near the Joe Riley Day Use Area on Lake Mendocino’s southwest shore. I was the only person […]
There are so many different types of waterfowl to be seen around the Sacramento area and in various places up and down the valley. I still hope to make it up to the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge to see Snow geese in the winter, and I keep meaning to spend some quality time in the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area. In […]
We spent a day exploring portions of the western shoreline of Lake Berryessa on a breezy day in May. The water level is still very high, and some public areas are still closed. But there are always beautiful views and the peaceful sounds of the California oak woodlands in spring.