Dec 15 - Little Dell Reservoir

 Sunny day with highs in the upper 40s. Thought about heading into the mountains this morning but running some errands won and the hike waited until the afternoon when it was sunnier and warmer.

Heading to Little Dell Reservoir. Not sure what to expect as to snow on the ground; it's been a while since we've had snow and we've had a lot of sun. Just hoping for no mud.

I arrive and there's snow around the reservoir. Not so much for the south and east facing slopes though.

It beautiful as usual.

I do not see any ducks on the water and yes it's open water still.

The trail is snowpacked so on go the yaktrak and I start down hill.

Towards the bottom I do run into mud - ick! But I skirt it by walking the grasses.

I'm on the bottom and back in the snowpack - yea! I head up the trail stopping at a turn off to the reservoir and I head down. There are a few ducks on the water after all!!

Time to continue along the trail. Not many animals tracks; I do find rabbit and a moose/elk/deer farther down.

I see a wasp hive

and a blackbird/raven. I scared it and stopped to listen to the sounds of his wings flapping as he flew away. Such a wonderful noise.

Soon I'm back on the road and heading back.

Lovely walk!