Florida Spring's

As a child my haunts were the springs: Rum Island, Little River, and Ichetucknee.
My favorite spring most of all Madison Blue; the cliffs that surround this big blue hole remind me of deep blue Maui.
The spring run was swift and strong, caring you to the Withlachootchi.
There is a big beautiful water oak that was unlike any I’d ever seen she sat above the river bank with steps for your feet carved naturally into her trunk, inviting the adventure to climb up and see.
When you arrive into the great branches; a welcoming seat large enough for 8 to sit comfortably. As you settle in and gaze around at the river and spring you suddenly realize just how perfect nature is and how we are all part of the same being.
Although the beaches are so nice it is the springs that bring ones soul back to life,
Quenching the tired, weary, overworked and thirsty.
Warming you on a cold winter’s night.
The springs protect Florida too, from saltwater intrusion; without the pressure from the springs the aquifer would be salty.
South Florida, desalination makes more sense next to a nuclear power plant, filtered water is a byproduct of the process. Think about it and you will see clean water is a possibility. Don’t take from the rivers anymore; or we will all taste the sea shore.
Watch and see Crystal River will be one of the first engulfed by the sea.
Take heed now before it is too late, and our children blame us for their unquenchable thirst.
Before our rich soil becomes dry desert.
We must proactively lurch, forward and create a way to protect our future sustainably.
We need to work together and individually; to achieve harmony between the people and the environment.
Please Floridians do not believe your water managers are taking care of the resources.
Management has not a chance against the tenacious lobbyist; big development has doing their bidding.
Open your eyes before your wallets are stripped bare from greedy barrens stealing your water and then selling it back to you at a cost even the power companies never thought of; you think fuel is high just wait and see; for there is no business that can operate without water.
Have a nice day and hope and pray all is well; but if you do nothing Florida will be Hot as Hell.

Where have all the frogs gone?

Where have all the frogs gone?
Not so long ago 2005, the bull frogs were so loud croaking all night long, and when there was a chance of rain they would harmonize so loudly it sounded like a temple full of chanting monks.There were sooo many green tree frogs too. They were everywhere, on the windows in the banana trees and elephant ears, and now I have one on my kitchen window and 3 geckos we had colonies of geckos and skinks of all ages. I rarely see skinks now. I also noticed the freshwater muscles and crawfish have vanished. It seems to correlate with the herbicide application via airboat and sprayer. The powers that be seem real keen on killing off the cattails, foxtail and willows. This spray also kills the lotus, water lettuce and duckweed. I have also noticed the "treated" vegetation then rots and becomes muck on the sand bottom. I forgot to mention this waterway is a 6,000 acre lake with a stream that feeds a state preserve, this lake was once know as the largest tournament fishing lake for large mouth bass. It also happens to be one of the largest sites for The Bald Eagle. So, how is it that this would occur? The case of the herbicide is that it keeps the waterway open for vessels. However, fish habitat such as duck weed, lotus, and water cabbage are crucial for a healthy habitat. We as citizens and water keepers need to look at the full picture before applying a chemical to a sensitive environment. Pollution is Pollution.