A warm day with just enough clouds to make it interesting, provided a perfect day for a walk on the Sacramento River.
In my last blog, we visited the beautiful Sundial Bridge on the Sacramento River. Today I am travelling just a few miles north on the river to a bike trail just below the outlet of the Keswick Dam. This trail is part of a 50-mile system that connects Redding with Shasta Lake. Our journey consisted of a stroll down the trail to a bike bridge across the river and back. Although it was early March, spring had sprung. The grass was green, the redbud was red, and the sun was warm. A family of river otters entertained us along the way. My Wednesday Photo Essay:
It wasn’t quite spring, but no one had told the redbud growing along the Sacramento River.
A close up of the redbud.
And here it is decorating the river.
While the river was low because of the California drought, I still thought it was quite scenic. This is looking north from the bike bridge.
Peggy, along with our friends, Ken and Leslie, are half way across the 13-foot-wide, 418-foot-long bike bridge.
The view south.
We were looking south when we spotted a family of four river otters making their way up the river. My small camera didn’t handle the distance well, but the otters were too interesting to leave out. Note the size of the tail.
The otters gathered on a rock to check us out. There wasn’t quite room for the fourth one.
On the way back, I found this interesting lichen growing on a rock…
And a waterfall on a creek flowing into the river.
A final shot of a small cove on the river. NEXT BLOG: Tarzan shows me the light.
Wandering through Time and Place 
Even the bike bridges look good out there. And what’s not to like about river otters? They’re so much classier than our nutria, I can’t even begin to tell you. 🙂
As bike bridges go, I was really impressed, Linda. It was designed to have a minimum impact on the environment. The sign at the bridge described it as a concrete-stress-ribbon bridge and the first of its kind in North America, at least back when it was opened in the 90s. As for the otters, they were a delight. I haven’t seen that many playing and fishing in the water over the years. –Curt
Love the redbud close-up. Have never thought of zooming in on these trees, but why not? Also, I’m loving the scenery you’re posting — all of it!
Glad you are enjoying it. My camera is always handy when I am out and about in the woods, a habit I picked up from my father. 🙂 –Curt
“More water,” say the river otters. Where’s all the water? Maybe you explained things to them.
Those redbuds are gorgeous, aren’t they? They really herald the coming of spring. So colorful.
How lucky you were to see the otters. Hope the drought doesn’t cause havoc with the wildlife.
Gorgeous stroll. Looks like a great way to spend a day.
Otters are amusing–fun to watch. When I see them though they’re usually swimming around in our pond, feasting on the fish. I can’t say that is a happy sight. 🙂
A great trip again Curt. Hope the drought soon breaks. Have you thought of doing a rain dance? Herein Australia we have both floods and sever drought at the same time.
A fabulous job on the redbud. I really like the bridge and the view south, too.
Curt, this photo essay reminded me of all of the paintings your father used to do of the Sacramento River.
I don’t have any of the Sacramento River, Howard, but I do have several of his other paintings. Thanks for stopping by! –Curt
Lovely walk I just took with you! And great photos of a beautiful place. I would have loved to have seen those otters!
Alison
Thanks Alison. I was glad to have you along. And the otters were lots of fun. 🙂 _Curt
That first photo is a show-stopper. Wow. Just gorgeous. The greens of spring are also out, and nicely compliment the redbud.
The prettiest time of the year on the river. My favorite. –Curt
Watching the otters play, eat, climb the rocks, swim….all leisurely along the river banks was my favorite!
They entertained us until they finally disappeared up the river.
Is that a…suspension-type bridge… The kind that are literally “strung up”? Yikes!! 🙂 It is odd to see the redbuds up your way, Curt, since the redbud in my backyard (courtesy of my ex) is now full of leaves. And you did good with your “small camera” as it apparently has a “big zoom”. J/K. Optical zooms are nightmares, aren’t they?
We usually find redbuds growing between 1000-2000 feet Koji up here in the ‘far north.’ And yes that is a suspension bridge. Amazing what can be done in the digital world. I’ve done a lot with my small camera. (But I am buying a bigger one.) Usually I depend on Peggy for the longer shots but she didn’t have her camera along. –Curt