Blue Heron Colony

Went back to Ironhorse campground at New Melones Reservoir since we were in need of a couple of days of "different wallpaper". 

It was the first time staying at site 40. All of the sites that we have stayed at in the past were already booked. Site 40 doesn't have a view of the reservoir....

...but it did provide us with wonderful entertainment of a colony of blue herons. Blue herons tend to be solitary birds, but during mating season they come together to form a colony with lots of nests. This colony seemed to have about 6-7 birds. They would fly in just an hour before sunset. 

The campsite is nice with a private feel to it. The only downside was that it isn't very level. Out came our extra leveling blocks, thank God for them!

We were close to the one tree when the slide was out. Sadly, no critters or birds came to check us out or visit the tree. At night we did hear the owls calling to each other. I love the hoot of the owls, so peaceful.

Friday's hike was the loop around the shore of the reservoir, Carson Creek trail, and up the Tower Climb and down back to camp, about 6.5 miles. Saturday's hike was 8.5 miles down to the Angles Creek trail and back. 

This stretching of the Angles Creek trail is so peaceful. Sometimes a boat motoring would go by, but most of the time the only sound came from the cow bells from the hill on the other side of the reservoir.

A very needed rest stop at the closed boat launch by Angles Creek was taken before heading back to camp. We saw some folks fishing in numerous places as we hiked. 

Easter, Water, And Irises!!!

 On Easter weekend we headed out to our favorite winter camping spot at New Melones Reservoir. Yes, it was the beginning of spring, but the heavy winter rains had prevent us from camping in winter this year.

We had been keeping a tab on the water level risings.

This is how much water was there end of October 2022. 

This is how much water was there in March 2022.

And this is how much was there April 2023.

 It's at 95% historical average, meaning just a little above half full. 

Last October, there was no water at the one boat ramp.

This April not only was there water, but a boat dock for this area was under construction.

We have never seen it this green here. All the flowers were in full bloom. A beautiful field of flowers right beside the campsite, so perfect!!

We could see the water from our site!! We had fun watching the swifts flying around and checking us out. They were very curious as to what we were doing at the picnic table.

The wild turkeys had fun roaming the campground and we had a blast watching them.

One of our favorite trails, the Tower Trail was full of surprises too!

Someone must have planted these Irises as a memorial for a pet or loved one. 

With the heavy snowpack at higher elevations, we might not be able to get to some of our favorite summer campgrounds sites until September, if the NFS opens them at all this year.

Where Did the Water Go!?

 New Melones Reservoir is drying up. 

Where did the water go? This section near Ironhorse campground has no water. 

This was how it looked in March. We had a feeling we would be seeing no water. 

We walked from the road all the way to the closed boat launch area.  

We did find some water, but this is so sad looking. No fish and no water birds were seen. We are concerned for the Ospreys that come here yearly. What will they eat?

Normally this is way under water. 

The cement bucket on top is for the buoy that now hangs down and is resting on the ground. Those close by hills should be under water too. 

Looking across at what should be all water. Where the green trees are is the location of the campground.  I can now say that I have walked on the bottom of this reservoir. 

Back at camp site, one can barely see some water through the trees. It's like "I spy" game. 

Some how the deer are hanging in there. These two are headed off to an acorn patch to munch on acorns before the sun sets.

A peek at the water level from the camp site across from our's. 

Sadly, California needs major storms this winter to fill up this reservoir and many others in the state. Hopefully the Sierras will get lots of snow so that the spring runoff will help fill the reservoirs.