Shade balls in the L.A. Reservoir

The 175-acre surface is covered by 96 million sunlight-blocking balls at a cost of $34.5 million.

Photgrapher Gene Blevins shoots the expanse of floating balls.  (Jay L. Clenenin / Los Angeles Times)

An additional 20,000 small balls were rolled into the lake.

Now there are some 96 million balls.  (Jay L. Clenenin / Los Angeles Times)

Each ball comes fully assembled and costs 36 cents.  (Jay L. Clenenin / Los Angeles Times)

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti tosses one in.  (Jay L. Clenenin / Los Angeles Times)