Seiko

Chollas Lake is for the Birds

 

We expected fog in the morning, so we planned a trip inland about 6 miles from the bay. I was planning for us to stay clean and dry, so didn't need a tough watch. Let me introduce the newest addition to the collection, which I couldn't resist yesterday when we went to the Seiko store. Yes, it's for my wife eventually, but the bracelet fits my 7 3/8" wrist and I like the look of it.



I made the right call to go inland. The sunrise was great again today.



Our destination: Chollas Lake / Reservoir. This used to be one of the main water storage facilities for the city; when I was a kid it was not open to the public. A shame, because we lived only a mile away. After other, larger reservoirs were built, they opened Chollas for shore use and as a kid's fishing lake. But I was 30 then so it didn't matter.



This is a view looking west towards the dam; the rising sun is lighting up the clouds.



We walked to that end; now you can see eastward. It's about 3/4 mile around the lake.

There were plenty of geese, and they showed no fear of the morning walkers. I am sure they get fed daily.



This Great Blue Heron was the only one of his kind, and he lurked in the reeds staying out of sight of the geese and pelicans.




C'mon, it's getting a bit public out here!  OK, lead the way.



Wow, I like your colors! 



They were not worried about me at all, and I was only about 10 ft away.



They did start fighting among themselves, as geese do.



I was trying to blend in but having no luck.






This pair -- the farther one is grooming; his head is turned 180 degrees! The nearer one is dozing but keeping a wary eye on me.



I want to find out what species of ducks are cruising by in back of the pelicans. They have unusual black and white coloration and we saw only this one pair in the lake.