What a Difference a Storm Makes

We finally had our first storm of 2015 and we were able to visit the South Yuba River the day before it hit and the day after the weather cleared.  The contrast was fascinating, and we all marveled at how much of a difference the storm made in the river and the surroundings.

The river last Thursday

And just about the same spot on Tuesday

A great swimming hole on Thursday

And on Tuesday (notice how the sandbar is completely under water now!)

And some very unhappy looking moss

Looks much happier on Tuesday

And look at the amazing emerald color of the water

But of course that's gone by Tuesday

We also spotted two California Poppies, a small patch of Fiddle Neck, and what I think is a type of Larkspur and a type of Brodiaea.  It seems so early to see those flowers, but with how warm it has been I guess I shouldn't be surprised.