Nature Scenes with Lynn Bowen: St. Johns River offers beauty, recreation and commerce
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(Visit the site link at the bottom for a great photo)
By Lynn Bowen
West Volusia Beacon
Jan 24, 2010
The St. Johns River is such a beautiful place to enjoy nature! This is when a photo is worth a thousand words — for words alone cannot convey the beauty of the meandering waterway, the spiritual concepts, and the wonderful feeling of just being there.
The ebb and flow of my thoughts sometimes splash figuratively when I hike or go boating. Why is the water mysteriously dark? Gee, how did this place look when the Indians lived here? Are there any alligators basking in the sun now? How many fish has that hawk caught today?
As for the dark water, Google explained that leaves falling in the water are like tea being brewed, which explains the brown tannic acid making the water murky. History tells us that much of the river remains the same as a century ago.
Wildlife isn't too puzzling if you're observant, but I try to just soak up the view to store in my memory and relax. Fish, alligators, turtles, frogs, snails, birds, otters, dolphins, manatees and all sorts of other wildlife depend on the St. Johns River for shelter, food, and pleasure. In the sunshine, the ripples and swirls sashay slowly along the watery path. Marshy, soggy land by the river is paradise to many birds, mammals and reptiles. Lily pads and other vegetation on the surface add to its wonderful scenery.
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Getting factual rather than sentimental as I tend to do, this river's claims to fame are that it is one of the few rivers anywhere that flow north and it is the longest river in Florida. The 310 miles of twists, turns and bends provide lots of recreational opportunities, such as fishing, boating, sightseeing, and, sometimes, swimming, although one must beware of alligators. Commercial opportunities abound as parks, camps and tour boats draw tourists and residents. Fish are caught and sold to restaurants and grocery stores; resorts and marinas dot the landscape; and all earn money for the owners.
The St. Johns River is primarily fed by rains, but some of the water comes from the Floridan Aquifer, which is a natural underground reservoir. Through the years, much has been altered for agricultural and residential purposes. Much pollution and human interference resulted, but we can hope that this will improve as ecologically minded folk make decisions now and in the future.
May we all enjoy and treasure our natural surroundings that bless Florida.
— Bowen lives in DeLand. Send e-mail to abowen27@cfl.rr.com.
http://www.beacononlinenews.com/news/daily/2349
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