I love this camera

Another week has passed already. Not much in the way of excitement going on around here. My friend and I have managed to walk in the Wetlands three times this year already. After five walks there we get a new button. Every year the Walkers program starts at zero miles. Last year we managed to get in aboutg 115 miles over there so yesterday we went to the Nature Center to pick up our 100 milestone reward. This Coffee Cup. Checking back I realized we didn't walk at all in June and only twice in July. So we did pretty good getting the 100 in. 

These pictures are from last week on our second walk of the year. It was a cold and dreary day. Even the river looks cold. We did not see one animal or any birds. Guess they are smarter than us, and stayed warm somewhere.

We had a lot of foggy mist for a couple of days.

Some of the winter colors on the bushes. 

We walk by here all the time but I don't remember seeing this interesting rock before. Lot of layers in it. I wonder where it came from originally. We got in about two and a quarter miles that day in an hour and a quarter. 

Yesterday we were walking along when we spotted this Snowy Egret all by himself in a place we've never seen any birds. Very pretty bird. And nice of him to pose for me. I love this camera with its view finder and 30x zoom.  

When we got to the river we were amazed at the amount of birds there. This cormorant was airing his pits.

And the white pelicans. We knew there were some in the area but this many at once was a real treat. Total there were nine of them.  

One was antisocial I guess. And two cormorants. 

Keeping his nose out of anyone's business. 

And much to our surprise the blue heron flew in for a visit. 

Does this count the same as ducks in a row?

Could never have got this picture without this camera. 

Same with this one. The pelicans leaving us. 

We spent about 10 minutes on the bridge just watching the birds. Then continued walking. I like this kind of sky. So pretty. These are some of the burnt trees. 

No hope for them to come back. What a shame. Last summer there were four fires in The Wetlands. These are from the biggest one. 

We continued on to the Nature Center and picked up our coffee cups and I was entranced by the art exhibit - all wall hanging quilts. Some were absolutely amazing. Will post some pictures next time.

On Monday Bill's face had swollen up from an infected tooth. He got in to the dentist on Tuesday and ended up having four teeth pulled. And is on antibiotics. He is kind of quiet but doing fine. Really like the dentist and his staff. 

And that is it for now. 

Quick walk yesterday morning.

New Years Day sunrise. So beautiful. Friend and I managed to get out and walk about 9, still cold out about 47. First time I've ever worn long pants to walk here. Cold enough we managed to do 2.5 miles in an hour and 15 minutes and  that's with stopping to talk to other walkers and stopping to look at the water fowl. 

The first time this year one of the pelicans came up to the area where we walk. Such pretty birds.  There is a whole bunch of them and Canadian Geese about 3.5 miles from our area. Still in the Wetlands. One of our neighbors has an electric bike and rides down there and takes lots of pictures. 

A heron. I' been told what kind a lot of times but always forget. 

Busy piece of the river yesterday, the heron, pelican and several cormorants. And mallards and coots. 

This is kind of scary to look out your window at. 

Well we made it to another year. If he wasn't half blind we are both doing pretty good. 

Ah - New Years Day. Dark and dreary. Lots of low clouds and fog and rain. Hope this isn't a warning for the new year. 

Today is our 61st Anniversary. So many years. So many roads traveled. We were thinking about going out to lunch but it is going to be cold and rainy all day. Do not want to drive in the rain with a bunch of hung over drivers. The drivers here on a good day are nuts. 

Yesterday I went to the cardiologist to get results from all the tests. From when I had the panic attack and ended up in the hospital a few months ago. Everything is fine. Doc says I am boring. Come back in September. Stopped in a the grocery store on way home. Note to self NEVER go to grocery store at 3:00 on New Years Eve.

Just finished backing up my computer. Try to do it the end of every month, but especially the end of the year. Still need to look into "The Cloud" 

Still playing with camera while walking.

 

 A Very Merry Christmas to all. It is pouring here in Las Vegas, but the temperature is 61 out so at least it is not cold. In fact instead of snowing on the mountain it is raining and washing away most of the snow. Hopefully for the ski resorts it gets cold overnight. This is the warmest December in Las Vegas that we've seen. Been mostly high 60's or low 70's very nice. Today would have been a walking day for us, but not in the rain. Going to be raining for a couple of days, forecast 1 inch of rain for here. 

We got good news from Bill's neurologist.  The myasthenia gravis is staying just in his eyelid so far. Not spreading to his face or body. Thank goodness. He is controlling it with prednisone. For now. The doctor really doesn't want him on it long term. And more good news the prednisone has gotten rid of the long covid. We were wondering as he has not had an episode since starting the prednisone. Doctor confirmed it. Steroid's are amazing what they can do good and bad.

He and I have been out walking a couple of times. Got in 2 full miles one day and he was fine. Still playing with my camera and really glad I got it. The view finder makes it so much easier to get the pictures I want. These are some I took from one walk with walking friend. 

The blue heron airing out his wings. Could never have gotten this picture with the camera. 

Just getting ready to take off. 

There he goes.

No idea what he is. Don't remember ever seeing a bird like him before. Another one of some kind on the rock. 

Some guys way up river by the reclamation plant taking samples of the water - any way that is what it looked like they were doing. 

Came across this puffed up road runner. He just stood there and watched up. He can make himself look really big when he puffs up.

Just the still river with the bridge in the background. 

One of the paths we walk, next to the river. 

Never seen one of these guys before either. The zoom with view finder let me get a good picture of him. 

Isn't he cute. Ripples in the water. 

One of the walks Bill and I took.  The playground right behind our house. Fun things to climb on.

I was going to try this but then thought better of it. 

There he goes, hat and all. 

Rainy weather brings nice sunsets.

We went out to lunch with our son who lives here. He took a picture of us just standing in front of some Christmas presents. While we were waiting for our food my phone dinged with a message. This is what he sent me. OMG.