Snow is cursed by so many, yet it a fount of life that carries many through the parched summer. High in the mountains snow fills the ridges, covers the valleys and caps the trees, making a vista to be in awe of. But that very snow feeds the rivulets that cascade down the hills. oozing under ground.
Wind whipped snow sends all scurrying for protection. Grasses are covered, bushes peek out and trees sway to the extra weight. The damage of the snow is the renewal of spring. Moisture in the shite stuff ushers forth the green fresh plants to blossom in glory.
For miles this moisture can travel underground to sprout forth in tiny puddles. Gushing springs heave forth to nourish the ground. Last years snow flows up out of the dirt.
A tiny wet spot oozes out of the ground. Tumbles down the hillside to nourish a few plants to sink back in the ground.
A small ribbon of green marks the spot where the water flows. Returning back to the earth to resurface in a another location.
Here the animals found water to slake their thirst. Not more then a mud hole but pools enough of water. Hundreds of miles away are the mountains but underneath the ground are streams of a different nature. Water travels through the sandy rocks for miles to seep out of the ground at another place. Creating a small garden on the parched prairie.
Indians knew of these places. here they would find the animals for their food, plants for their food and water for their thirst.
What appears to be barren land, the starkness in broken by a few trees. On far hillside a small grove of trees mark a spring. The hillside is an escarpment revealing where the formations of the mountains is exposed. Over many miles this formation rises. Springs ease forth along the escarpment, giving life to the land.
Small ponds create a micro system of life that would not be without the snow. This water may of fell a number of years ago as it traveled under the earth. Following a path the eye can not discern.
There are many springs in life. What ushers forth, has it been there for years, has it been dammed or is waiting for release.
Peace like a river runs through it.
4 comments:
Loving the blog today John.
Seeing winter as something that is paid forward to the bounty of spring is a great way to see things John! As always I love the way you take pictures and share them.
I've never thought of water as being hundreds of years old, but this really brings it to life. We are so fortunate to have rain and snow and even hail deliver our water so regularly that I always think in terms of supply and demand, not which is reserved for later need.
Thought provoking post. Thanks!
John what a wonderful blog and photos explaining the course of the water. In your area water is so important. Thanks for sharing.
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