Salinas River Photos from Vineyard Bridge in Templeton

The Salinas River in Templeton Looking South

Yesterday I made a stop in Templeton to see how much water had been added to the Salinas River since I photographed it there in July. This is the picture I took from the Vineyard Drive Bridge looking south on July 2. As you see it looks like a series of large puddles. The shrubs and grasses still get water from beneath the surface to stay green. 

Salinas River Looking South from Vineyard Drive Bridge, July 2, 2016

Here is the most comparable photo I took yesterday looking south. You can see that the river was recently much wider. By the way the shrubs bend you can see the north-flowing river had gone over them. Most of the shrubs that were green in July have turned brown, especially on the sandbar in the middle. I took these photos in late afternoon, and I didn't notice the sun spots until I uploaded the pictures. 

Salinas River Looking South from Vineyard Drive Bridge, 1-28-2917

I just made a puzzle of this shot at Zazzle. Here it is. I edited the sunspots out of the puzzle. It is not watermarked, either. 

Salinas River from Vineyard Bridge, Templeton, CA Jigsaw Puzzle

This next photo is a closer look at the part of the scene just beyond the sandbar. 

A Closer Look at the River Beyond the Sandbar Looking South

Next is a closer look at the west bank. You can see the patterns formed in the sand by the flowing river. You can also see how much more of the river was recently covering this.

Patterns Salinas River Made in Sand Near Riverbank

The Salinas River in Templeton Looking North

I also took photos from the north side of the bridge. The Salinas River flows north, not south like most other rivers. It finally empties into the Monterey Bay. This photo focuses on what I see immediately in front of me as I aimed the lens north. You can see the shadow of the bridge falling across the river. 

Salinas River Looking North from Vineyard Drive Bridge in Templeton, 1-28-17

Here is a more detailed view of the west bank. There is still a bit of shadow from the bridge. Notice that some of the water is caught right next to the bank. Here, too, you can see how the grasses in the river are leaning north where the river flowed over them. 

Close-up of West Side of River Near Riverbank

I'm wondering how long this river will remain visible if we don't get more rain soon. 

***

Related articles

• Short Walk to the River
• R is for the River

Wordless Wednesday: Shadows

Shadow of a Coyote Brush Plant

I photographed this small coyote brush weed after pulling it to document its root size. Then I noticed the shadow of the plant.

Shadows are Long in Late Afternoon Sun

My shadow was so long I had to document it. The rain was gone. The sun was out. I and my camera were ready to take a photo walk. 

My Shadow Selfie after Rain in Late Afternoon, © B. Radisavljevic

Related articles

• Why I Stopped Hating Coyote Brush
• The California Weeds You Need to Pull Now!
• Shadows and Highlight: Shadows of Me and a Dying Mullein

The Bird and the Berries

The Bird Sings among the Berries After the Rain 

I actually didn't see the bird while I was taking the picture. I was focused on the red berries on the fence beside the J. C. Penny parking lot. On the other side is the trail inside Larry Moore Park. I found the bird when I uploaded my photos. 

Bird on Tree Branch above Berries on Fence

Below you see the bigger picture. 

Bird on Tree Branch above Red Berries which Are Growing on Fence in Paso Robles

Have you ever discovered something special in a photo you didn't know was there until you uploaded it to your computer?

Related articles

• Does Anyone Live in this Tree?
• Ah, There's No Sound As Sweet As Gentle Raindrops on My Roof

Reflections and a Sliver of Sunshine

A Rare Bit of Sunshine

The sun has been a rare sight during these days of rain. It was gloomy most of the day but in the late afternoon I looked in the back yard and saw this bit of sunshine among the shadows. 

In the front yard, I could see the sun hidden in the clouds behind my neighbor's oak tree. 

The Reflections

On my side of the street, the tree was reflected in a small puddle next to the curb. 

The palm tree across the street in the other direction was reflected in the same puddle when I faced it in the other direction. 

Here's a closer look at the palm reflection in the puddle.

In the back yard, a very shallow puddle in the former lawn reflected part of the blue sky and a tall tree at the back of the yard. 

Gift Items Featuring Lovely Reflection Photos

 Poster: Reflection of Trees in Puddles Poster nature photography winter tree reflection iPhone 7 case Yellowstone Grand Teton Reflections Jigsaw Puzzle Winter Reflection at Yosemite Postcard Seattle skyline at night with reflection jigsaw puzzle

***

Related articles

• Palms in a Golden Sunset
• Looking at Deciduous Oak Trees in Winter
• Ah, There's No Sound As Sweet As Gentle Raindrops on My Roof
• Majestic Oaks at the North County Transit Center
• Just How Big Is That Oak?

Rain, Rain, and More Rain in Paso Robles

No More Drought Right Here, Right Now

It seems it's been raining for days now. When it's not raining, it's getting ready to rain. The cloud formations are beautiful. Below, the sun is just peeking through a cloud. 

Below is a path to the river through Larry Moore Park between storms. 

I shot this from my back porch during the rain today. This used to be my dead lawn when I stopped watering it during the drought. I've never seen such puddles there before this year. 

I taped this video at the same time I took the photo above. I turned the sound way down because a very noisy vehicle went by while I was shooting this. 

After I shot the video, we ate lunch. Then the sun came back out again for a few minutes before the sky went gray again. It has been raining off and off since then. More rain is expected during the next two days. 

Preserve the Memory of a Full Atascadero Lake and Salinas River

 Poster of Salinas River in Paso Robles iPad Case: Inspirational with Salinas River iPad Mini Cover Poster of Salinas River in Paso Robles Salinas River, Paso Robles, January Jigsaw Puzzle Atascadero Lake Park Pavilion Coffee Mug Atascadero Lake Park Pavilion Jigsaw Puzzle

Local Lake Levels and the River are Rising Again

I haven't been out to take my own photos of the local lakes yet, but this video shows how the level of Atascadero Lake has come up since I took pictures during the drought. You can see those photos in the related posts below for comparison. I was happy to see the island surrounded by water again. 

I have been out to see the Salinas River flowing and I took lots of photos. Here are a few. 

Salinas River Overflowing Banks, January 9, 2017

Finally a River View from this  Bench Again

Looking North Toward Veterans Memorial Bridge

Although I miss the sun, we will see it soon again. Meanwhile,  I'm thankful for the rain that is filling our lakes and the river again and watering our oaks, street trees, and landscaping. We won't need to water again for weeks. 

***

Related articles

• Atascadero Lake Has Some Water Again
• The State of Atascadero Lake Breaks My Heart
• It's Sad to See Atascadero Lake So Shallow - A California Life