Saturday, January 20, 2007

The Fall

Stream water fall. Photo by Bruce Spencer A small stream runs through part of our farm and at one place there is a fall. The fall is laced with tree roots and dead leaves and branches that have made their way to this natural damn. The stream drops about three feet and beyond the fall makes a small pool. Many small pebbles and fossils that have been washed down stream are deposited here and create small gravel bar. Small animals visit this place, perhaps for the water, and leave their mark.

Racoon print. Photo by Bruce SpencerOn days such as this, when the weather is cold and the stream is running, ice forms on the tree roots that frame the fall and the mud around the pool and gravel bar stiffens. The sound of the fall is simple and beguiling.