Monday January 15th 2018

I finally got a chance to visit the Wetlands Park and say good-bye to all my wildlife friends. Last weeks heavy rain resulted in many changes to the park. There was a little more water in the ponds and creeks, but the biggest change was the evidence of last weeks high water. Most of the inch and a half of water that fell in the valley flows into Lake Mead via the Las Vegas Wash which provides the water for the Wetlands Park. Dried mud from high water and run off covers many of the walkways. Trash from the high volumes of fast moving water lines the sides of the Las Vegas Wash area up to fifteen or twenty feet above the current water level. Park personnel are slowly working on cleaning up the debris.

Mr. Mallard swimming circles around the Mrs.

American Coot 

I didn’t see as many birds today. The American Coots and Mallard Ducks were still there, but many may have been back in the reeds and grass. I saw one bird species that I hadn’t seen at the park before; a Great White Egret. They aren’t very common in Nevada, but I’ve seen enough of them in Florida to be confident in my identification.

View of the Sunrise Mountains to the east.

Great Egret coming in for a landing.

Coot making a speed swim.

On the preparation for travel front, I got a couple of more items checked off my to do list. I finally got a much needed hair cut. It was one of my list when I arrived in town, but since it isn’t one of my favorite activities it got put off. Tomorrow would have been the last possible day, so I didn’t procrastinate as long as I could have. I actually look human again.

Three Coots along the boardwalk.

A turtle and a Coot share the rock while another turtle sticks its head up out in front.

Three Coots along the boardwalk.

A turtle and a Coot share the rock while another turtle sticks its head up out in front.

Back at the RV park I got a few more things put away. I’ll put the rest away tomorrow so Wednesday morning is as simple as possible. I’m anxious to get underway.