We are in the rain shadow of the Sierra Nevada mountains but this past New Year’s we were not shielded from the exceptional amount of moisture that hit California. We had wet heavy snow for hours on New Year’s Eve that caused widespread power outages. I waited a week to venture out to grab my memory cards out of the trail cameras. It was still a pretty muddy slog to get to them. Sadly, there were several ancient cottonwood trees that did not survive the storm and many downed branches blocking trails. I noticed wash outs in areas that surprised me. When I got home to review my cards I was shocked to see how far the river had invaded. I almost lost one of my cameras judging by the photos.
I placed this camera at the intersection of several trails and have captured lots of deer, coyotes and feral horses on it. It is several hundred yards from the river. There are not any animals in this photo but it is time stamped a couple of hours before the wet snow and rain started. I need to reset the date recorder on the camera as it one day off on the date.
Exactly 24 hours later the river is flowing right in front of the camera. Note the swimming beaver passing by. That is what triggered the camera. No wonder it was muddy even a full week later. All of the water had receded, and I would have had no idea of the extent of the flooding without these photos.
Northern Desert Photography 
Wow – those are serious flood waters you experienced and captured! I’m sorry to hear about the ancient cottonwood trees, also. As a sidebar, as I’m typing, it’s pouring rain outdoors. Wishing you a nice weekend, dear Alison 🙂
Ethereal. Looks like paintings. Love the beaver. Our mountain lion is back, eating goats. I need to set up the cam!
Would love to see photos from your cam!
So much flooding there and those CottonwoodTrees are damaged..we have a flood here in Nova Scotia I this summer. Can you Follow my blog..let me know.
Sure. Thanks for stopping by.
I watched one as it went about building it’s home. Pretty cool… 🙂
That would be fun!
Wow.
🙂
That’s amazing!
It was!
Can you follow my site. Let me know.
Oh my gosh. That’s crazy.
Wow, the power of mother nature waving her hand here… great captures, and it gets the heart beating a bit to how quickly things can change.