Valentine's Day at Lake Sonoma

[NV Whino]

Seriously, these guys, steelhead,


kept making heart shaped ripples.


Lake Sonoma is a recreational area and a fish hatchery, which I didn't know. The steelhead were in the ladders today, and apparently having a good time in the shallows. I went there hoping for some good water fowl shots, but was disappointed to find boating and water skiing, which are not conducive to water fowl. But there was this beautiful bridge.


Then one of the parking attendants pointed me to the visitor center, where I should have stopped in the first place (duh). That's where I found the happy trout and some water fowl. This female mallard was going someplace fast. She almost swam out of frame.


But then an otter swam into frame.


Caught an American female widgeon.


And this was the best I could get with the elusive wood duck.


And the snowy egret, who finally stopped grooming long enough to show his/her glorious feathers. The large egret I showed the other day was a common egret. Seems strange to attach the word common to these magnificent birds.


A good time was had by all… especially the fish.

[Curmudgeoness]

1. That bridge shot is really nice.

I also like the widgeon. I also try to get shots of wildlife, especially birds, and I know how hard it is to get a great shot of them. You were lucky to get these.

I wonder what those steelhead were up to.

[NV Whino]

2. Hanky panky

Bet on it.

[GeorgeGist]

3. Excellent day.

[NV Whino]

4. Inded it was.

[Mira]

5. Hearts (Love) in the water

that's pretty sweet to me who loves being in water so much!
A very fun outing you had - glad I got to go with you. I like the photo of the otter. Would love to see the background tweaked to become more of a part of it.