Blog Action Day 2010 WATER

There is an injustice in our world regarding safe clean water. 

Some are only able to find drops of water . . . like these clinging to the crabapples.

The little wild and beautiful Solitary Vireo is not interested in a drink and flies away in a hurry. 

Water is a human right and every person on our planet should have safe access to clean drinking water.

Some people have waterfalls of water . . . simply by turning on a tap.

It effortlessly flows into our sinks and glasses. 

Are we aware and careful . . . thankful and thoughtful in our use of water?

This beautiful waterfall is about a seven minute drive . . .  down a steep hill and along a curvy, country road . . . from my home Flower Hill Farm. Many women and children in the world must walk miles and miles to find water . . . then home again. I am not certain of the mileage, but it would take most of half a day I would guess . . .  walking the distance to Chapel Falls to fetch water and return . . .  with rests along the way to help my back . . . perhaps longer . . .  when considering bathing and washing clothes . . . then some time to linger and appreciate the power and beauty of such a vital force. There would not be much time for this joyous reverie, as there is much work still to accomplish in the daylight hours. I would be lucky if there were no contaminates running off from a factory into the stream and falls. Certainly this line of thought makes me appreciate the immense value of refreshing, unpolluted water that runs so easily into my daily life. This year 'Blog Action Day' is focusing on water in hopes of raising awareness, for those who are without pure water. You can learn more about the important issue of water here. I am posting this a day early so others, who might not have heard of this action, might want to create their own post. I am keeping mine rather simple, but there are some truly inhumane efforts against vulnerable peoples in the world, by those who would bottle or try to own all rights to water . . . shockingly even rain that falls into containers. We can always call our politicians and let them know that justice around water rights is very important to us. I am also offering this as my Blooming Friday post where Katarina has chosen a theme of wild and beautiful. Visit Roses and Stuff to see other blogs from around the world.

Watery Wordless Wednesday Chapel Falls Falling in Three Tiers

Winter is magical . . . snowshoes carry one down into a frosty coated watery world.

Earlier in the fall the water freely flows. 

Birds, Seasonal Happenings and Friendship Shadows

While waiting for a dear friend to arrive for a walk and then visit to a nearby waterfall, I took a few shots of some of the Blue Bird and Cedar Wax Wing activity right outside my barn studio. Just now as I write this I can see a male Cardinal picking at a rose hip in one of my Rosa Rugosas and there are flocks of Juncos and muted Goldfinches flitting about taking my head with them back and forth and up and down. There are hundreds of birds in the gardens most every day. Though I have no feeders, they find plenty to snack on. 

Cedar Waxwings love the English Hawthorn berries and all the other flocks dine on seeds, while the Bluebirds seem mostly interested in checking out the rustic housing. There were several pairs eyeing and flying to and from this particular house this day. They do not require anything fancy and I like how this dwelling blends right into the landscape. You can see some of the earlier goings on with the Blue Birds and this house here and here. You will see more than just the Blue Birds when you click on the links. Just keep scrolling, scrolling, scrolling and I promise you will not be disappointed. You will have to scroll thru this one too on the second link. 

When Eva arrives we take a quick spin in the garden to see how the brush hog clearing is going. I eye a bit more blue . . . in a flower this time. Some little creature is munching on the last Myrtle flower. I would bet the Juncos will kick up a few leaves and find a tiny caterpillar or some other meaty morsel.

The golden yellow of the Crabapples, I do not recall the name of, is a mirror to the fluffy coat the Goldfinches wear late spring, summer and fall. Nature protects her creatures by having them molt at about the same time the leaves are forced to fall. This little Goldfinch is enjoying a meal of Anise Hyssop seeds. Perhaps the aroma of the seeds will give the bird a fresher breath. A Junco is looking on and will join in on the seed nosh.

Afternoon light is so lovely . . . giving a brilliant glow to the gray and white birches. There is music in the grasses as we walk down towards the lower garden to see my neighbor busy with his tractor. Kris is a wizard with his machine and I so appreciate his vision merging with mine own in keeping the land open. What he is not able to do with his tractor, I must go in and cut with my hand machines. It is a great deal of hard work on this hillside. A good bit of pruning will occur over the winter months too. 

The mowing occurs after all the leaves have fallen making it easier for Kris to see, as there are rocks everywhere. If it were not for the many birds nesting here I would do this twice a year and have more of a chance of winning the on going battle with mostly sumac, briars and vines. The forest too is trying to reclaim the open areas. Who is this little fellow?

As we were heading back up and to the car, this Cedar Waxwing greeted us with a bit of a wary eye . . . perhaps the confusion with the tractor had him wondering what was going on. It is rare for one to sit so close and let me capture its portrait this way. We are off and seven minutes down the country road by car we come to one of my favorite waterfalls 'Chapel Falls'. I will share the falls in a future post. For today a sneak preview with peace shadows and a birthday wish for my dear friend. Many Many Happy Returns Eva. 

The sun settling towards the west painted our shadow silhouettes . . . upon the tree . . . a bit like graffiti . . . only it faded very quickly and left no mark upon the bark. Here is a turtle rock for you . . . since your imagination gave it that form. May your foundation be as solid and your beauty constant.

After lingering a good long while within the sounds and sprays of positive ions we headed back to Flower Hill Farm to see the open land. I so long for an orchard in this south facing field, mostly going down the slope . . . but that will take mowing a few times a year to kill all the saplings that grow back each spring. Maybe one day I will just do it! I must dash off now, grab my camera and try to catch the Red-tailed Hawk who is perched in the English Hawthorn! 

Nearby Waterfall White Winter Coat Muffled Sounds Snowshoes for Getting Around

A short drive down a country road... seven minutes from Flower Hill Farm ... takes one to these stunning magical waterfalls... the force of the cascading water is full of positive ions... the energy transforming. Along with the beauty of the several falls, an enchanting wood and walk along the river makes a visit here invigorating and refreshing. 

Being still... sounds of rushing water... enter and flow inside... washing out images and world thoughts ...  renewal a sense of peace...  soft sepals blossoms within... floating deep dark pools.