Post two: Water World

Water in a landscape is universally appealing. The glittering ripples, colorful reflections, and soothing sounds draw us in to enjoy, admire, reflect. We slow down and gaze in, trying to discern what is below in the shadows, under a log, behind the rock.

We might think first of fish, the salmon of yesteryear, trout of today. Of tadpoles and insects and birds. Even otters and beavers. They are all here, but it takes time to see them since so many understandably, don’t want to be found. But their habitat is here, all around Bumping Lake.

The streams of the Bumping River Valley are pristine, spilling down from alpine meadows, collecting unmolested, and gathering into larger creeks and finally the River itself. Their waters are cool and unbelievably clear. I am fascinated with the world beneath the surface and take my trusty underwater camera on most outdoor explorations. The camera is like an upside down periscope that lets me peer into the watery depths. It is my window to another world.

Each stream, each pond, each lake is different. Their elevation, tree cover, and orientation shape the physical characteristics of the stream bed or lake bottom and give rise to the conditions which support a wide variety of life. I’d like to share with you this underwater world for I find it extraordinarily beautiful. And even though it is right there at our feet, it is normally out of reach, unseen and unknown.

Since I have explored so many places, I will focus here specifically on the gin-clear waters of the feeder streams that cascade from the high ridges surrounding Bumping Lake. The physical environment takes center stage. The light and the interaction between water and air is visually exciting to me.

For orientation, we will start from above, observing a few streams as they exist in the forest and then head underwater for a glimpse into their shadowed world. Some of the waterways shown are Copper Creek, Granite Creek, Deep Creek, and Barton Creek. As you will see, each stream is totally unique and equally entrancing.

 

                                    As we slide beneath the surface, another world comes to light.

It is silvery

and sometimes green

or blue.

                             Bubbles shoot past, appearing like capsules of mercury or ghostly sprites.

 

                            Some streams have a gemlike quality and distant waters glow turquoise.

 

                    And when you look back up to the surface it acts like a mirror doubling down on the color,                                                 shapes, and patterns of this kaleidoscope world.