The Daily Bucket is a nature refuge.
We amicably discuss animals, weather, climate, soil, plants, waters and note life’s patterns.
We invite you to note what you are seeing around you in your own part of the world, and to share your observations in the comments below.
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Here in Arizona, we are brought up thinking about water. To us, it’s a precious commodity. We are raised to conserve it and worship it. Life doesn’t exist without it. But good water is one of the pressing issues that faces humanity. All over the globe we either have too much of it, or not enough. And we need to use it better. On a trip to California, I stopped by Mono Lake. If you haven’t been here, it is a stark reminder of how special water is. This lake is nothing but poison to most life, though Brine Shrimp thrive there. These allow migratory birds to feed on them when stopping over. Outside of that, the pictures speak for themselves.
Located at the eastern base of the Sierra Nevada mountains, the lake has been historically fed by streams that have been diverted for Los Angeles. When that happened, the water level dropped, exposing Tufa Towers. These are calcium deposits that form from highly mineralized springs in low temperatures under the lake surface.
The setting is beautiful, as you get a great juxtaposition of fresh snow in the background of some seriously unhealthy water.
In wandering through and around these spires, I spent my time thinking about how important it is to work towards maintaining and improving our water quality for the planet. It’s inspiring in a way.
Having been all over this nation, I’ve seen the effects of neglect for our water. I’ve tried to go swimming in Minnesota, but the lake stunk of fertilizer runoff so bad, I had to leave.
I’ve seen rain runoff in New Jersey that was more of an oil slick than fresh rain water.
I’ve stood on the Levee in the French Quarter, looking out at the mighty mississip, thinking about all of the pollution flowing into the Gulf of Mexico.
I’ve walked along the dry river bed of the Salt River in Arizona, knowing that it took ferries to get people across, before bridges were built.
So take some time to appreciate what water does for us. We wouldn’t be us without it.
And if your inspired, help out a local conservation district or similar effort that has resolve to save our most precious resource. Here’s my favorite.
What’s up in nature in your area today?
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