Water Lilies-The Fragrant Water Lily, Nymphaea odorata is a visible plant wherever backwater and ponds occur in eastern North America. Besides its beauty, the plant has provided food in the form of its young, unopened leaves and flowers which can be boiled in saltwater and eaten with butter. The seeds which can be popped like corn are rich in starch and oil, and the roots were eaten by Native Americans and used by early Americans to make beer.
Sun and Water
River Sunrise-A light mist slowly rises from the waters of a quiet creek in southern Texas as the morning sun breaks the dawn in a warm glow. This is near the entrance to the Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge, one of the last remaining undisturbed tall grass prairies in the United States and home to the endangered Attwater subspecies of the Greater Prairie Chicken.
Marsh Sunset-A brilliant sunset sky marks the end of the day over a freshwater marsh in the southern Mojave Desert. With the western San Gabriel Mountains as a backdrop, a lone ruddy duck glides across the still water of the marsh.
Pacific Sunset-The sun sets slowly into the Pacific Ocean near Monterey, CA punctuated by a picturesque Monterey Pine in the foreground.
Pond Sunset-The sun slowly gives up its last light as it sets over southern Quebec while a light breeze churns the surface of the tiny lake outside the lodge of a family run fishing camp.
Moon and Water
Gull Rock Moon-Along the Minnesota shore of Lake Superior, herring and ring-billed gulls begin to roost under the light of a full moon on offshore rocks and exposed reefs.
Moon over Cliff-In a sheltered bay on the north shore of Lake Superior a point of exposed granite plunges sharply into the largest fresh-water lake in the world.
Moon on Lake Superior-The full moon casts a long reflection across the waters of Lake Superior north shore. It╒s August and although the air temperature has reached nearly 80╝, the water temperature of the worlds largest lake still hovers near 50╝. Due to the shear volume of water, the lake scarcely varies more than 10╝ throughout the year. Acting like a huge heat-sink, the lake cools the area near its shore in summer, and keeps the same area slightly warmer than the rest of northern Minnesota in the winter.
Moon on Stricken Tree-The trunk of a spruce tree lays stranded on the rocks on the shore of Grace Island in Lake Superior. Across the channel is Isle Royale, the largest Island in the largest lake in the world. Since the decline of commercial fishing on the lakes, shacks that lined protected coves and boats that plied the treacherous waters have long disappeared. Now the island is home to Isle Royale National Park.
Moon over Isle Royale-Moonrise on Isle Royale National Park, MI in late July as seen from tiny Grace Island. Once the site of many family-operated commercial fishing shacks, the island is now home to the Isle Royale National Park. The site is one of the last places in the United States where wild Timber Wolves still live protected from encroaching civilization. Moose, too are found here which provide food for the wolves, together keeping their populations in natural balance. Both the moose and the wolves arrived on the island recently by making the trip across frozen Lake Superior from the mainland almost twenty miles distant.
Water Lights
Harbor Entry-The harbor entry light at Two Harbors, Minnesota glows in the twilight, marking the end of the east breakwater for ships entering and leaving the harbor. Behind it on the shore the bright white light of the main Coast Guard light warns ships of the rocky point and marks the location of Two Harbors while they are still far out in the lake.
Split Rock Light-Split Rock Light was constructed beginning in the late winter 1909 with the steel frame and completed months later when the light was first lit on July 31, 1910. The lighthouse sits atop a steep cliff on the shore of Lake Superior where, at the time of its construction, no highway existed. Building materials were brought in by ship to the base of the cliff from which they were hoisted to the building site above.
Rock of Ages-Dawn lights the clouds above Rock of Ages Light on a lonely exposed reef several miles from the mainland of Isle Royale in Lake Superior. Many ships and men have been lost on the lake to severe storms, huge gale-driven waves and the lakes thousands of rocky reefs and shores. The most famous is the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald which was lost in November of 1972, taking the lives of all 29 men aboard.
Winter Water
Snowy Valley-A frozen alpine lake remains frozen long into summer at over 11,000 feet in the Dusy Basin of California╒s Sierra Nevada. This view of the basin is looking northwest from the top of Mt. Palisade at over 14,000 feet in the first week of July.
High Snow-Mt. Palisade in the very top center of the photograph can be seen peeking over the top of the terminal moraine of Clyde Glacier. Just below its summit at about 13,800 feet of elevation, a hanging snowfield rests, never melting in the thin, cold air of alpine summer.
Storm╒s Passing-Footprints on a dock give witness to an early morning visit to gaze at winters work after the passing of a storm. The storm seen from Lake Tahoe╒s north shore veils the surrounding mountains in clouds.
Winter Cottage-Resorts and Condominiums lining the south shore of Lake Tahoe in Northern California╒s Sierra Nevada sit peacefully in the alpine glow of sunset following a light winter snow.
Icy Waves-New Years Day brings ice which clings to the boulders along the shore of Lake Superior as 30 mile-per-hour winds bring chill factors to 50╝ below zero and beyond. As the waves crash and spray up the shore the water freezes almost instantly creating a wonderland of bizarre forms in ice on the rocks, gravel and sands. The waves can crash with such wind-driven ferocity that ice sometimes forms as high as forty feet and more above the level of the lake, coating everything in its way with the icy chill of winter.
Small Streams
Mountain Creek-In early July along Big Pine Creek in the eastern Sierra, spring has just arrived as streamside willows and alders prepare to bud. At 9,000 feet of elevation it may take two months before the four to six feet of annual winter snowfall melts, giving way to the alpine plants that flourish in the short growing season of the mountains.
Rocky Creek 1-Golden Trout Creek cascades and meanders its way slowly through Big Whitney Meadow in the center of the Golden Trout Wilderness of California. At 9,000 feet of elevation, the meadow can only be reached by pack train or on foot, the shortest route being over the 11,000 foot high Cottonwood pass to the northeast.
Rocky Creek 2-As its name implies, Golden Trout Creek is the home Golden Trout, seldom reaching lengths of more than eight inches, the hardy fish flourish in streams fed by over a hundred inches of annual snowfall on surrounding peaks and valleys. Lasting long into summer, the snow slowly melts to feed the streams through the short alpine summer.
Meadow Creek 1-A tiny stream fed by snow melt and tiny springs in Big Whitney Meadow is home to one of the rarest jewels of the trout and salmon family. Here in the southern high Sierra Nevada Mountains of California the native Golden Trout makes its home.
Meadow Creek 2-Tiny cascades form as the water of Golden Trout Creek rushes over rocks and boulders on its way down through the meadow. In this photo, barely visible under the hummock of grasses in the middle right-hand side a golden trout rest in the calmer water, waiting to catch drifting mayfly and caddis fly larvae drifting free in the current.
Allegheny Stream-An eastern deciduous forest in the Allegheny region overhangs and cools the waters of a small stream in Northern Virginia. Animals which can be found along such watercourses include the black-nosed dace, snapping turtle, eastern painted turtle, chubs, water striders, common water snakes, garter snakes, and leopard frogs. In the trees above one may find flycatchers, belted kingfishers, and a variety of warblers.
Little Lakes
Lone Pine Reflection-High on the edge of a glaciated ╥U╙-shaped valley, Lone Pine Lake seems to hang on the brink. Here on the trail to Mt. Whitney, the tallest mountain in the lower 48 states, thousands of hikers and climbers stop to rest on the arduous 11-mile climb to the summit, still looming almost 5,000 feet above.
Alpine Lake 1-Palisade Lakes 1 and 2 and a portion of 3 lie below Clyde Glacier (formerly Palisade Glacier) named for local schoolteacher and mountain man Norman Clyde. The glacier lies at the foot of several 14,000+ peaks in the Sierra Nevada of California overlooking the small town of Big Pine.
Alpine Lake 2-A tiny rivulet flows from amidst the rocks of a glacial moraine to eventually contribute its part to filling the lakes thousands of feet below. The distinctive ╥U╙ shaped and hanging valleys left in the wake of a glacier are seen clearly in this photograph looking out over the Owens Valley of California.
Alpine Lake 3-Resting at the foot of a small glacial valley is a tiny lake. These types of lakes form when a retreating glacier leaves piles of rubble behind, damming the end of valleys and causing the melting snow and ice to back up into small lakes.
Glacial Lake-Filled with glacial melt water, one of the Palisade Lakes near Big Pine, CA is tinted green by the finely ground rock left by the retreating glacier above. Known as glacial flour, the powdered rock is created from the shear grinding force of hundreds of feet of ice as a glacier slowly slides over its underlying rock.
Northern Lake-At lakes edge the thick northern forest seems to reach out to embrace the spring sun. On the edge, where competition for light and water are less, these birches will leaf out in just a few weeks and sooner than their neighbors in the thicket behind them.
Big Shores
Stoney Point-The crystal clear water of Lake Superior, calm on a spring day, reveals the weathered rocks along Stoney Point. The outcrop from a ridge running out into the lake forms a point which is an excellent place to find wildlife due to the structure created both in water and in the land. In the water Lake Trout may be caught by both trollers and shore fisherman at various times of the year, and, during fall the shape of the land along the shore concentrates numbers of migrating birds including White-winged Crossbills, Pine Grosbeaks, Black-backed Woodpeckers, and varieties of warblers.
Rainbow Lake-A rainbow stands in testimony of God╒s promise to Noah after the flood Here on the shore of Lake Illiamna in southwestern Alaska an early fall storm has just subsided as Pink Salmon by the thousands migrate along the cobblestone shore of the 75-mile-long lake.
Isle Vista-The serenity of the scene looking out from Grace Island across the channel to Isle Royale belies the treacherous power of wind and water that mother nature can unleash in this remote wilderness. Waves on Lake Superior have been known to reach 40 feet and more especially during the fabled ╥gales of November╙ when winds of over 80 miles an hour come across the lake from the northeast. Making the crossing to Isle Royale in small boats even today can be a dangerous proposition if not fully prepared for the weather.
Tahoe Winter-Looking sleepy in twilight, South Lake Tahoe╒s homes and condominiums rest peacefully on the shore in the shadow of California╒s High Sierra. Thousands of visitors come here each year to enjoy the solitude of the mountains or the fabulous winter skiing or summer boating and fishing or just to gamble at the many local casinos.
Big Rivers
Kern River-The hot sun bakes the dry canyon of the Kern River in the southern Sierra Nevada Mountains of California. This section of the river, stretching for 70 miles was recently designated by Congress as a Wild and Scenic River to protect and preserve the scenic and natural values found here. From the bridge crossing near Johnsondale northward into the wilderness of the sierras, travelers can walk back in time and see the landscape in the same form as it was enjoyed by native peoples hundreds of years ago.
Kings Canyon-The Kings River makes its way down the lower canyon below Kings Canyon National Park in California╒s western Sierra Nevada. Above on the canyon wall the highway from Porterville brings millions of tourists to the park to view the massive granite walls and huge Giant Redwood trees within the park.
San Juan-The San Juan River, just below Navajo Dam in northwestern New Mexico lies in a beautiful rocky canyon. Above piûon pines and junipers line the canyon walls while tall cottonwoods grow along the river banks below.
Colorado-Deep within the Grand Canyon the Colorado River, glowing in early morning light, gives testament to the eroding power of water. Over millions of years the river has carved one of the most spectacular scenes on the planet.
Animas-The lower Animas River approaches Durango Colorado on its way to confluence with the San Juan River and finally the mighty Colorado before draining into the Gulf of California 1000 miles away. Looking over the banks lined with cottonwoods, one can see the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado where the river rises near Silverton, a small mining town built in the 1800s.
Water Falls
No Name Falls-A tiny waterfall on a stream with no name in the Bishop Creek drainage on the eastern slope of California╒s Sierra Nevada Mountains.
Silver Creek Falls-The waters of Silver Creek begin the last leg of their short journey as they enter a small canyon and cascade down several waterfalls and rapids before entering Lake Superior. Stained nearly black from being filtered through miles of bogs is typical of waters in the Canadian Shield of northern Minnesota and adjoining Ontario. Almost all these streams are home to populations of native brook trout.
Gooseberry Falls 1-The Gooseberry River on Minnesota╒s north shore of Lake Superior cascades over a steep granite cliff. In winter, with temperatures often reaching 20í below zero, the falls will stand frozen in mid-air like huge icicles.
Gooseberry Falls 2-A higher angle of the Gooseberry River in northeastern Minnesota. One of several falls over which the river plummets in Gooseberry Falls State Park. These falls are just one of many such spectacles of nature along the North Shore of Lake Superior which is one of the most scenic drives in North America and a favorite vacation playground for thousands of visitors each year.
Big Pine Falls-Heavy spring snow-melt swells small streams creating a rush of water cascading down from the high country. Here on Big Pine Creek water rushes toward the Owens Valley of California where it will ultimately be channeled and routed via aqueduct to quench the thirst of millions of residents of Los Angeles, almost 200 hundred miles to the south.
Quebec Slide-A small creek plunges over a slide of granite and cascades into the waiting pool below in central Quebec. In this small stream surrounded by mixed northern forest of paper birch, alder, firs and spruce, live the native brook char sought by anglers.
On the Edge
Foam╤Foam settles into the sand in a muffled hiss as a small wave rushes up the beach and recedes along the shore of Lake Superior at Minnesota Point.
Pebbles╤Polished by years of weathering on the exposed beach of Lake Superior, tiny pebbles glisten in the morning sun like small jewels.
Driftwood╤Laying in a bed of pebbles, a piece of driftwood lays on the beach, its edges softened and rounded by the relentless force of wind and water.
Grassy Dune-Beach grasses hold back the forces of erosion along wind and surf driven shorelines. By binding together the sands and gravels of shorelines with their strong roots, the grasses may be the last defense against the constantly erosion of soil from lake, river, and ocean beaches.
Gravel Waves-Fisherman work the shore of Lake Illiamna near an abandoned fishing lodge, hoping to catch trophy-sized rainbow trout. The trout follow the salmon migration to feed on the rich spawn of caviar, gorging themselves and growing to upwards of 20 pounds. Waves along this huge lake mirror their image in golf-ball-sized beach stones which have been driven into dunes by the pounding surf of countess Alaskan storms.
Lands End (neg)╤Like the last land at the edge of the world, a rock arch marks the wave-beaten end of the 1,000-mile long Baja Peninsula at Cabo San Lucas. To the left, the Sea of Cortez, winter feeding and calving water of the California Grey Whale and to the right the vast Pacific Ocean stretches and disappears over the horizon.
Islands
Spruce Islet-A tiny spruce-covered island╤more a rock╤juts above the surface of the entry into Washington Harbor on Isle Royale. Isle Royale, designated as a National Park, is the largest island in the largest freshwater lake in the world. The deep blue waters surrounding the island are home to Lake Trout which grow to weights in excess of 50 pounds which were once fished commercially by families living on the north shore of Lake Superior.
Little Two Harbors-A snow encrusted island sits in the bay at the former site of Little Two Harbors, MN on the north shore of Lake Superior. Little Two Harbors was home to a a small commercial fishing village at the turn of the century, located in view of what is now one of the most visited lighthouses in the United States╤Split Rock Light.
Emerald Bay╤The dead branches of an old pine provide stark contrast to the cool blue waters of Emerald Bay at the south end of Lake Tahoe in California. Stern wheel cruise ships take passengers on excursions that circle the tiny island.
Knife Island╤A starburst sun rises over Lake Superior and tiny Knife Island outside the entrance to Knife River Marina. The island provides protected nesting habitat for Herring and Ring-billed Gulls and rarely a few Glaucous Gulls which normally nest in the high arctic of Canada each spring and summer.
Bridges
Stone Bridge Reflection-An old stone bridge on Seven Bridges Road in Lester Park of Duluth, Minnesota provides a peaceful setting, reflected in the waters of Amity Creek. The park rests within the city limits of Duluth at the foot of Hawk Ridge. The ridge is the last in a series along the shore of Lake Superior which provide a natural migratory pathway for hundreds of thousands of migrating hawks each fall.
Black River Crossing-Riviere Noir in southern Quebec is named for its water, stained black from passing through hundreds of peat bogs before reaching the flows of the river. Here a small bridge provides access to the owners of a small cabin. Photographed in early spring, visitors will soon arrive to enjoy the peace and solitude of their river retreat and possibly fish for native Brook Trout.
Stone Bridge-One might almost expect to see a troll darting into the dark shadows under this old stone bridge on Amity Creek in Lester Park in Duluth, Minnesota. Fisherman catch small rainbow and brook trout in the tranquil setting within the city limits and hikers and walkers have miles of trails to explore in this beautiful park.
Harbor Ice-The world╒s largest aerial lift bridge marks the entry to Duluth Harbor at the southern end of Lake Superior. The busy port ships millions of tons of iron ore, with lakers up to 1000 feet in length carrying the ore under the raised bridge and into the shipping lanes of the great lakes. Most of the winter the harbor becomes locked in ice, shutting down shipping for several months each year.
Working Watercraft
The Edna G╤The Edna G, the last operating steam-powered tug on the great lakes, now lies dormant waiting for friends to decide her fate. The tug spent her life working around the ore docks at Two Harbors on the north shore of Lake Superior, assisting huge ore boats to the ore-loading docks that sit behind her. The Edna G was owned by the Duluth Mesabe and Iron Range Railway (DM&IR) and in her heyday was even tasked to bring locomotives across the lake on barges. Before her retirement, in a tug of war with a modern tug boat, the Edna G came out the clear winner.
The LL Smith Jr. Tug╤Here a tug boat gets a vacation from pushing 1,000-foot long, 85,000-ton loaded ore boats. Instead she carries a 60 lb. canoe her captain and a few passengers toward the Boundary Waters Canoe area 70 miles north along the shore of Lake Superior. She gets a short resbite from her light duty, tied to the harbor breakwater, while the crew goes ashore for breakfast in Two Harbors, Minnesota.
The Amoco Trinidad╤The Amoco Trinidad lays empty in Long Beach Harbor, California awaiting orders to carry another load of oil to a port somewhere around the world. Huge is an understatement with these tankers that make a pleasure-craft look like a fly on the trunk of an elephant as the pass alongside her.
The Roger Blough╤The Roger Blough, a 1,000 footer, as they╒re known has just arrived at the ore-loading docks at Two Harbors to take on another load of low-grade iron ore that has been processed into taconite pellets. Despite their gargantuan size, these ships now maneuver deftly without the use of tug boats due to huge thrusters
built into the hull which allow the ship to turn a full circle within her own length.
Wooden Watercraft
Stewart River Canoe╤Hand-built by Alex Comb of the Stewart River Boatworks in Two Harbors, Minnesota, a beautiful wood and canvas canoe lays on a remote rocky beach, its bow pointing towards the rising sun and beckoning travelers to slip into the calm waters on a romantic journey.
Stewart River Canoe 2╤This wood and canvas canoe built by Alex Combs of the Stewart River Boatworks in Two Harbors, Minnesota displays the craftsmanship and skill that went into the building of traditional watercraft. Its hard to surpass the beauty of a wooden boat, and in many cases the technology far surpasses that of modern techniques. Wooden boats are quieter than aluminum, last longer than fiberglass, and are much more pleasing to the spirit than either.
Old Fishing Boats-Old wooden fishing boats were once a common sight along the shore of Lake Superior. Once used by family-run commercial fishing operations, the boats are now all but gone and forgotten. The last of the commercial fishing licenses issued to fish the waters of the lake will soon expire and pass into history along with the men who hold them.
Tall Ship-a small schooner rests at Knife River Marina on Lake Superior╒s north shore, reflecting in the peaceful waters of the harbor. Once a common sight on the Great Lakes as elsewhere, tall ships with their long masts, billowing sails and miles of rigging are now preserved in only a few examples and in replicas used by recreational boaters.
Motor Launch-An old wooden pleasure boat sits on display in Newport Harbor outside Los Angeles. This Riva is looking for a new owner and is marked for sale and immediate shipment by its owner.
Boats Up Close
Deck╤The deck of an old Chris Craft cruiser sheds a light rain as the boat sits quietly at the Knife River Marina on the north shore of Lake Superior.
Stern╤Showing of her hand-made lapstrake construction, an old motor dory sits on blocks patiently waiting for refurbishment. Her solid bronze propeller and rudder slowly oxidize to the dull patina of green.
Bow╤The bow of another Chris Craft, her hull painted brightly at the waterline, reflects in the deep black water of Barker╒s Island Marina at Wisconsin Point on Lake Superior.
Anchor╤Her Anchor weighed for the last time, the Meteor rests solemnly, her hull high and dry. One of the whaleback designs of ore boats that once plied the Great Lakes, she now rests on display at Barker╒s Island Marina in Superior, Wisconsin She now hosts throngs of clamoring youngsters on her decks and in passageways and attracts tourists to take the harbor cruise offered by the nearby operator.
Rubber Dinghy╤A tiny inflatable provides the perfect dinghy for a 28 foot cruiser tied up in a sheltered harbor marina.
Fishing
Rental Boats-Lined up and waiting, the rental boats peacefully await the arrival of the guests who will spend many enjoyable hours fishing for Brook Trout or just rowing about on this small lake in central Quebec.
(Heading In╤After a long day, rising before dawn, two fishermen head in to the marina across California╒s Lake Nacimiento. Near Los Gatos on the central California coast, the man-made lake offers sportsmen great fishing for white bass, smallmouth bass, crappie and bluegill.
Changing Flies╤An angler pauses to experiment with a different fly pattern on California╒s Crowley Lake near Mammoth Lakes. Hosting flotillas of flyrodders in float tubes, the lake provides excellent late-season fishing for trophy-sized German brown and rainbow trout, plus the occasional Sacramento perch. Created behind a dam on the valleys Owen╒s River, the lake was part of intense and ongoing controversy over land and water rights in California.
Sockeye Portrait-A bright male sockeye or red salmon lies is photographed before being released to continue its spawn. The males grow a distinctive hooked jaw and humped back during their arduous journey from the sea through miles of freshwater rivers and lakes before finally reaching their stream of birth where they will spawn and die.
Wildlife
Snowy Egret-A graceful Snowy Egret appears to stand frozen in its reflection. The bird patiently waits for a small fish to swim near enough to spear with a lightning quick thrust of its sharp bill. This egret was found in a freshwater marsh in the Mojave Desert of southern California although it can easily be found throughout the southern United States.
Stilt╤A Black-necked Stilt pauses in its migration to gain weight feeding on tiny invertebrates in an alkali pond in California╒s Mojave Desert near Rosamond. In this man-made oasis of treatment water run-off, thousands of gulls, shorebirds, ducks and geese stop to rest as they travel north and south through California╒s central valleys.
Pink Salmon-A lone Pink Salmon slowly makes its way along the gravel shore through the crystal clear water of Lake Illiamna, Alaska. Driven by its biological need to propagate, salmon can detect minute traces of water from their home stream, following the ╥scent╙ for hundreds of miles in order to reach their breeding ground after spending from two to four years maturing in the ocean.
On the Redds╤A pod of bright red Sockeye salmon have finally reached their spawning grounds after travelling hundreds of miles through a gauntlet of commercial fishing nets, hungry seals brown bears, and eagles and sport fishermen. Now at the culmination of their short lives they will pair, mate and in a few weeks, die.
Reflections
Early Storm-The high peaks of the eastern Sierra of California are left shrouded in clouds following a late August snow storm. Here they reflect in a pool of rain water which has collected over the summer in a small rocky basin at about 10,000 feet of elevation.
Clouds Clearing-Sudden thunderstorms in the Mojave Desert quickly flood the dry clay pans of the desert lowlands. Desert plants and animals will quickly use what water they can before it runs off and evaporates back into the dry atmosphere.
Cabin Lake-This family cabin, set on a point in a grove of spruce, reflects beautifully in the calm water of early morning on a quiet and pristine lake in central Quebec.
Piling╤A piling stands quietly in the harbor at Two Harbors, Minnesota. Its usefulness almost gone, it now serves as mute testimony to the once burgeoning heydays of iron mining, oreboats and tugs.
Sunset Calm-As the sun sinks over the horizon at a tiny fishing camp in Quebec, the wind calms, leaving a perfectly smooth surface to reflect the glow of dusk in the sky.
Panorama Triptik-These three images in order combine to make a panorama looking out across the Mojave Desert to the San Gabriel Mountains to the east. This man-made freshwater marsh at the northern edge of Los Angeles County provides an oasis for thousands of migrating shorebirds, ducks, geese, white pelicans, herons, egrets and ibis.
Water from the Air
Volcano Bay-A recent eruption of a distant volcano leaves a legacy of ash and mud in its aftermath. Flowing miles downstream, the river╒s cargo forms a plume hundreds of miles long to discolor the seas of Cook Inlet in the Bay of Alaska, south of Anchorage.
Kenai Meander-The Kenai River south of Anchorage, Alaska meanders along the Kenai Peninsula. As a river reaches more level terrain, it begins to slow down, depositing the earth and silt that it has carried from its rush from the high country. It then begins to follow the path of least resistance, slowly carving away the banks to one side while depositing sands and gravels on the opposite bank. In so doing, the river will eventually take on a serpentine course known as a meander.
Water Storage and Delivery
Prime Mover╤Cirrus clouds-representatives of the prime movers and transports for the worlds fresh-water supply. Clouds formed from evaporating surface water, transport their loads to nearly every corner of the globe to replenish the vital needs of every living thing on the planet.
Water Tank (neg)╤Like the windmill, the water tank is an ever-present landmark to human habitation and vain attempts to irrigate and cultivate the arid lands of the western United States. This one no longer stands where it was photographed twenty years or more ago in the Mojave Desert near Lancaster. Water here has become so scarce that most farmers long ago moved to Washington to grow wheat and alfalfa. Where water once poured out of the ground from scattered artesian wells, there is now only baked alkali sinks, and, many of the plants and animals that once depended on that water are now disappearing.
Mass Storage-In a landscape that a few months before was covered in snow, hundreds of snowfields remain. They will hang on, some through the entire summer, slowly giving up their water to form tiny rivulets which will eventually flow into bigger and bigger creeks and into the valley below. There it will water livestock on the ranches, irrigate alfalfa on farms, quench the thirst of several small towns and even be piped to fill the reservoirs of Los Angeles, 250 miles to the south.
Western Well╤The windmill is practically the symbol of the American West. From the days of the early pioneers, wind-powered wells have brought the wests ground water to the surface so it could be used to irrigate fields or water cattle. Now, with water tables lowered to alarming levels throughout the entire western United States, the wisdom of our forebears is now having to be seriously re-thought.
Rock Cliffs
Sheer Canyon-Sheer walls of volcanic rock line the edge of the canyon of the Colorado River near Willow Beach, Arizona. Desert Bighorn Sheep may often be found along the canyons and beaches of the river where they come to drink. In addition osprey, are often found roosting and nesting on the rock walls where they have easy access to the bountiful fish the river provides.
Mountain Steep-A tiny lake in the Sierra Nevada is home to stocked brook trout which feed on tiny insects blown into the lake from the high slopes above. Snow may remain in banks at this altitude well into summer, filling the lake with filtered clear water as it slowly melts.
