62.30: Morro Bay. Birds of and in Paradise, includes Brown Pelicans and People, too, sharing a little Heaven at the Colony.

'Hallelujah'...seems to be the stance of 'Lil Peli'. (Can it Peli!)
More of an earthly stance.
The choirmaster shows the way: "C'mon guys, once more with feeling."

  We returned to Morro Bay, another wonderful location. Notice I did not use the term ‘favorite’ as I’m barred from listing further favorite places of mine. We stayed here 2 months earlier as we made our way north heading to the Bay area. Instead of going on a formal hike, we headed to the local bay and morro where we always expect to see something of interest. 

  We dropped down to water level and made our way over the rocks which separate the bay from the ocean. Lo and behold, we came across a haven or colony of California Brown Pelicans and the occasional seagull. It was overwhelming. As we approached, we wondered whether the hundreds of creatures would fly off in panic. After all, Jenni can be intimidating, especially should she give them the ‘eye’. As a precaution, I suggested she keep her sunglasses on despite the dull weather. We also walked slowly and quietly, not wishing to startle the crowd. We kind of melded in with the flocks like we were birds of a feather, should you catch our drift. 

  The birds closest to us flew to different perches but overall, we did not seem to lose our audience. As we moved along, others returned to fill the vacant rocks. It was an incredible experience, a photographer’s dream and a period filled with both excitement and serenity. It was another period of not knowing what to expect of the day but being rewarded with a unique and entertaining experience, educational, too. 

  Jen noticed earlier that the water level of the bay was low, much less than we’d noticed in the past. A while later, while on the beach sand and upon the rocks, we heard gentle waves. After a while, we realized the tide was returning. Oops! Too much birdbrain thinking. The return hike over the rocks became challenging and very wet which, unfortunately, included a slide and fall on the rocks. Jen thought she heard the one wise guy remark to a friend: “Brains and prayers may be a good thing but in such a situation, nothing beats a wing or two.” 

The 'Quad Qids' prepare for a quartet performance.

'Okay, fellas, let's take that from the top. Squawk in unison.'
A dainty landing, like a dancer, Ellie, whom we know and love.
Meantime, down at the 'Pelican Publican', the kids dive into the fish and...hold the chips. Perhaps, Muizenberg, Cape, circa 1955.
'You wanna see me wing it, guys.'
'Hey, cool it fellas, let's have order here...preferably, order of fat fish wings. 'Wiseguy!'
'Man, what a curve. Pity it's in the wrong position.' 

The coast line from way out in the water.
'Where to now, Jen?' "Probably leaving and heading back to Morro." (Jen, right bottom corner).
'Hey, hurry it up. We forgot the tide is coming in.'
"Hey, wait for me after the morro." 'Can't. I'll be gone before to morro.'
'That's not white paint that you're following, fella. You should know you're stepping in the real stuff'. A few minutes later, we waded through the water and over the rocks and one of us took a rough 'swim'.
When we began it was dull and gray. What a change although we remain dull and gray.
"Aye, Aye, Sir."  'I'll take the salute next time, M'am.' At least we found someone who shows a little respect...Jen said had I considered it might be a mocking bird.

These are what we term the 'heavies'. We give them space and the occasional worm, too. Notice not much humor amongst this lot.
A definite pattern...perhaps, a pecking order.
The proverbial 'birder' or maybe hunter...Jen tells me it beats 'snakers'.
Organized chaos.
'Oh! So you say that's the little house on the prairie...' as we return to terra firma.
Tweets to all, 

Jenni and Jeffrey

Reno: Perspective of an earlier Cover Picture: The mountains behind Washoe Lake, opposite the Carson Range.

Reno, Nevada, opposite the Carson Range. Jen, climbing a treacherous area (bottom right), is about to be rewarded with a pleasant surprise. (See below).
The reward, as we view snow-capped mountains, the land below and for the first time, Lake Washoe from a new position. Usually, one is not high enough to see over the front mountains. Jenni's effort up the extremely steep and somewhat treacherous slope provides a bonus (see bottom of picture).
Height is a great provider of perspective...plus cooler air, inter alia. We passed a colorful quarry (see below) and discovered much volcanic rock, too.
Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey 

For much of this Hike-about segment, Jen has felt a need to travel with her pets. Go Figure!

62:08 California: Winters: Berryessa Lake and Blue Ridge Mountain...as close to 'Hiking/Viewing Heaven' as we ('one of us') can envisage (on that day).

The blue lake viewed from Blue Ridge.

The hills are alive with the sound of...life.
Jen comes over and down the small peak.
Taking a peek at the dam, that is, Monticello Dam.
Jen waves, not in greeting, but to identify her position.

As good a shot of the ridge as we could attain.

We mentioned in an earlier blog about Jen and her pets on this Hike-about. I did not realize how many she has.
One completes the hike fully sated with the beauty but tired from the effort required...a great deal.
There are many rough and tough areas, but the beauty lessens that impact. The tree can be viewed from many locations in the surrounding area. It acts as a marker, inter alia.

Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey 

For perspective: Annie's Rock, Berryessa...another hike, another day, another remarkable experience. The greater part of the lake is at rear in Napa.

62.21 Nevada, Reno: Beauty, tranquility, color, harmony, power and charm...something to witness in order to aid a re-balance...Hike-about 62.

  The photographs below are a handful, not covering the full hike, but published to satisfy our need of beauty, of some magnificence. 

After 3 or more miles, we reach a set of towers on a mountain where we ate brunch and digested the views. The combination of the snow-capped mountains of substance, the lake to our side, the clouds appearing to emulate the range in form and the position itself, plus the delightful spring coloring, combined to create a unique and uplifting sight and feeling.
We noticed, only later, the United States Flag on the side of the mountain. We read the following excerpt about it: 'The C(arson) Hill Flag measures 120 feet by 65 feet. Google-map "Carson City," and the flag shows up in satellite images. Its story has inspired U.S. troops serving in combat. It has spawned a business, a marriage and a baby. Sep 11, 2011.' 

The range is overpowering, the snow lies thick, we are in awe while the US flag, although flat, is nevertheless dignified.
Here's the water referred to above, in the earlier stages of the hike.
Jen commencing her climb above the lake and into the wilderness.
We suppose that might be wilderness as Jen prepares for and up-and-over.
We come over a mountain and discover the towers on a hill below.
Jen takes the opportunity to address the 'Village People' at a magnificent venue.
A time of reflection, a chance to challenge uncharted waters, an opportunity to take action.
Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey 

PS These two drivers were so incensed by her words of kindness and of 'Do not do unto others...' that they lost control of both themselves and vehicles: 'Cry the Beloved Country' continues...(under editor's licence obviously).