Six great friends, one huge photo opportunity and weather to add just the right amount of drama made for one exceptional memorable day. We were able to get some decent images captured before the rain set in. When it started raining we went into Prescott for lunch at the Raven. Since the weather was still more hit than miss when we finished lunch we gathered in Mellie, our coach and just chatted. When the sun peeked through we scrambled outside and up the rocks for more photo adventure. We hope you enjoy sharing our day.
The trick in weather this dramatic is to know when to head for the car! It is just too good to want to leave too early, but just a bit scary to think of the drenching of your gear. Rick and I took umbrellas with us. Talk about adding more things to keep track of!!
Hmmmmm . . . . same tree, different take.
Ann shows us how different the south part of the lake appears. Gone are the big boulders. This part of the lake eventually feeds the riparian area. I have hiked through that area and it is nicer every year and there are birds everywhere.
Sunrise looking south towards Prescott.
With rain overnight and then some during the day, the opportunity for waterdrop photography was too enticing for Rick and me.
While I like the lake and the reflections and solo trees, the truth is that much of the area around Watson Lake is a gorgeous jungle of rocks and vegetation.
There are plenty of wildflowers around the lake.
Rain surrounded us.
Ann climbed to the top of a big rock and here is what she could see.
I had never seen manzanita flowers before. Very unusual, just like the plant.
Sometimes Watson Lake is referred to as 'Mirror Lake.
Shiny sap with a water droplet.
Taken from the highest rock 'peak' in the area.
Drenched but still pretty.
Rick mentioned after lunch that he had only seen black geese. I think it was Greg who then was showing off white geese. "How did you get that?" Greg responded that he used his flash!
Flowers set to pretty up a fence.
As usual, Lefty our mascot hiked with Ann everywhere. I think Ann might get some flack about this image.
Now Lefty looks like he is riding some deep underwater fish that has beached. Dear Lefty!
Taken by Ann on their way home to Williams.
A very special thanks to wonderful friends who will drive up or down to meet up with Tom and me. Barbara even brought me a hot apple pie from our old meeting up place! If you decide to head to Prescott to get out of the heat (and take some photos), it is handy to know that your entrance to the Watson Lake park also gets you into Goldwater and Willow Lakes. Make a full day of it.