6-8-17  our Golden Finch birdies and a picnic and sunset at West Bank on Lake Lanier.

The golden finches don't come to our feeder often, so when they do, I will run to get my camera.  This guy was up there with a House finch.

 another view of the gold finch.

As dinner time came around, we decided to have a picnic at the lake for a change.  Since our normal "go-to" sunset spot doesn't have picnic tables, we went to the one by the lake that has lots of tables.  We were even able to stop at Publix along the way and get dinner---an italian sandwich and chips for Ken and a salad for me.  Both were very good!

 Then I walked around the park awhile.  This is the side by the "beach" and swimming area.

 The lake is still down about 7', but it's finally beginning to fill up.  This is the highest it's been since last Sept.

 beautiful evening with beautiful skies and clouds.

 love all the pine trees in Georgia, too.  Don't see too many of them around St. Louis, or South Florida.

 one of the wild flowers along the walk.

 an interesting colored retaining wall.

 with the rains we're finally getting there are a lot of mushrooms popping up, too.

 another look at the lake

 and more

 some Canadian geese who decided to immigrate to Georgia.

 Looking towards the dam.

 This is from the road going over the dam looking towards the point where we had our picnic--to the far right.

 It's hard to see it here, but there's a really nice walkway along this part of the park.

 close up of part of the walkway.

 we decided to drive around a bit and see some other parks around the area.

 even found some resident goats.

 this is the river below the dam spillway. 

 lots of fishermen in the river.

back to the main lake

a couple mallards

 back to West dam park and looking towards our picnic area.

 looking towards the dam road as the clouds were starting to change colors

 

 Not much of a sunset tonight, but we were treated to a pretty moon rising.

Sure is nice being about to run up to the lake on the spur of the moment!