Vegas changes...

 

It seems the skyline of Las Vegas changes every week. New towers rise above the old iconic places, and other buildings disappear. This view is down Sahara Avenue. That seemingly squat brown building is the old Sahara Hotel. The new towers are condos.

This past week, we went to the preview for the auction at The Frontier. There wasn't much to see. The place was tired and dirty, but here are a few snaps:

Last of the Frontier

(as usual, click the photo, then click slideshow)

4th of July Tubing!

We were two of a gang of 30. Josh's first time tubing! Yee-hah!




(we should add that Josh's technique needs a little work)

Josh didn't catch any fish...

but while we were splashing around in the creek, we saw what an excellent fisher a garter snake can be.

We heard a splash and saw the flash of rainbow trout on the shore, and the when we looked closer, saw the snake with his jaws wraped around the fish.

The process shown in the slide show took about an hour, and is not for those who have snake squeem...

Snake eats fish

(as usual, click on thr photo for the slide show)

Too Darn Hot (and dry)

The river is so low there is not enough water to run the hydroelectric plant. This water is being released to
the fish hatchery instead of going down the penstocks.

The vegetation in the Bull Run Basin is tinder dry, and there's lots of it due to last year's heavy rains.

Everything looks like fuel. This is going to be a long fire season

Cows with Guns

If you haven't seen this, you must. It takes time to load but is worth every second.

Cows With Guns

New Improved Webcam 2

Webcam 2 has been replaced with a new one with a much nicer pic. Enjoy!

Fourth of July Float

Yesterday we joined about 20 of our friends to float down the river on inner tubes. It was a combination birthday party/parade/beerfest. Here are some shots of the gang gathering at Riverside Park. One of the tubers brought along a waterproof camera and I hope to add images of the trip itself in the near future. Meantime: here's a slideshow.


(photos actually by Roberta)

The Bobcat

As I drove out this morning, I saw the big kitty crossing the neighbor's driveway and then the road in front of me.

This photo was taken on Siretta Street, a couple of miles away, but we figure it's the same creature because female bobcats have a range of some three-thousand acres. So now she's not just a bobcat, but The Bobcat.

Bat Nap

 
Earlier in the day we found a small Mexican brown bat snoozing as he hung from the rock work by the door.

Evening Wildlife

We opened the front door to this.


The deer stared at us for a long time


And Solar Squirrel watches all.

Some Highlights

We saw a grinding stone that the native women used to make acorn flour


This is an old fence marking the original Burlando Ranch. Yellowjacket is in the background.


The lovely shape of the branches surrounding the rock caught my eye. Then we saw something else...

A closer look

showed a rattler under the rock. Look closely at all the buttons on his tail... We're not sure if he was alive or not. I threw a rock his direction (from a very safe distance) and he didn't respond.

Morning Walk

 
The glade was full of color in the early morning sun.

 
Josh crosses the creek

 

The datura was in bloom all along the trail