My Birthday 2012

This year for my birthday I decided it would be fun to go to Gray Lodge Wildlife Area.  I hadn't been there for decades, but remembered it as being very pretty due to the proximity of the Sutter Buttes.  Also decided I would like a cheesecake for my birthday cake.  There is a great recipe online for a cuppucino cheesecake that F made for her junior recital.  I made it myself, because I didn't trust Ted to make it without modifying it too much.  As it was I modified it quite a bit myself because it is so rich plus I was lacking some key ingredients, like the espresso powder. and it still turned out quite tasty.
We left here about 10.15 and picked up F at her apt in Sac at 11, dropping off the cheesecake for later.  Well actually what with one thing and another we didn't really clear the city until 11.30 at least.  Drove on up the highway without incident.  Had a heck of a time getting our money into the slot in the Iron Ranger.  Had to resort to quarters as didn't have enough $1s, finally just put them in one at a time.
Took a short walk on the nature trail, had lunch, drove the auto tour, and then walked the other nature trail. 

Day was hazy but mostly clear skies and moderate temps.

Had a great time and saw a lot of birds.  My favorite were the snipe, spotted by a sharp-eyed F.  I'm sure we could have driven the loop again and seen some birds we missed the first time around.

Lots of geese, but only in some spots.

I loved these hides, they are really well done.

Sharp-eyed F spotted 3 snipe at one of our stops on the auto tour.  Who knows how many we missed.

We took our last walk starting at about 4 pm.  The great horned owls were already starting to hoot, and they kept it up till after moonrise.  The moon was full and we got to enjoy both sunset and moonrise. 
Had a great dinner at Star of India in Yuba City.  Finished up with the cheesecake at F's.  My birthday cheesecake has slowed down my effort to shed the extra Christmas weight.