Anybody remember me telling you that the lakes at Panola Mountain were to be drained? This will happen this week. We are being told that the upper lake will not be completely drained but will have the water level lowered and they will still allow fishing there. We wanted to make sure to visit the lakes this past weekend since we knew that the date for the draining/lowering...whatever you call it, would happen on the 16th. So, here we are, thinking of the beauty of those lakes and the wonderful wildlife they support and what do you think happened today? We woke up this morning and in our own household, we had no water! You have to love the irony! After several phone calls (never mind that I called about water leaking exactly one week ago!) a repair crew was sent out and the leak was fixed. Hopefully, if there is any problem with the dam at the lakes at Panola, they also will be repaired and we will enjoy the lakes again. Water...it is very nice to have!
These photos were taken on December 13th and the blue sky and clouds reflected in the water was just amazing. It was as if the lake knew it would be drained soon and it was saying, "look and enjoy!"
Hope you are all doing well these days and enjoying the water that comes out of your tap/faucet!
Dear Kay, I remember your post about the plans to drain the lake well. It is good that you had occasion to see it before that happens. And by the sounds of it, they have been thinking it through and try to make sure the impact on nature isn't quite as bad as it first appeared, by keeping the upper lake.
ReplyDeleteLovely pictures, and the day must have been warm enough for you to walk without a coat.
I've never seen this kind of bird, it probably doesn't live in central Europe.
Water is so precious!! I always try not to take things for granted. Not long ago, I was given a guided tour of one of Ludwigsburg's water towers. Our group was allowed to see the huge water tanks and we learned a lot about what it involved in providing a whole town with water, day in and day out. It's an enormous task and I feel so lucky to live in a place where we don't have to think about where we get our next glass of water (or shower or washing) from!
We hope that the lakes will come back in full one day and we also hope that the wildlife that depend on this habitat are able to survive. Not sure how much water will be left. We shall see!
DeleteAnd yes, our weather has been very mild but that is about to change and by the weekend it should go below freezing at night!
I am very grateful for water too!
The kinglet is a pretty little thing. I'm glad you got the water fixed. It is a real pain to be without it.
ReplyDeleteYou might see this little bird as it flits about getting seeds from trees. It is pretty!
DeleteWe've had our share of water troubles, so i hope your leak stays fixed! That is a beautiful bird, and the lakes are so lovely i hate that they are changing them in any way.
ReplyDeleteI will let you know about the lakes. We really have enjoyed them and that boardwalk at the end, when you walk over it and have your face turned towards the lake, it is like you are at the ocean! Well, to me anyway. x
DeleteThe pictures are all beautiful. Water is a necessity and one we sometimes take for granted until we don't have it. I hope all your water problems get fixed.
ReplyDeleteSo true, we really don't appreciate things until we don't have those things anymore! I loved that photo of the red leaves, very happy to remember that color!
DeleteI sometimes complain about the amount of water that falls out of the sky here on Lewis but I really shouldn't. A large percentage of the land mass of the Outer Hebrides is covered by water but it is such an important and special commodity that I never take it for granted.
ReplyDeleteI love the ruby crowned kinglet.
Water IS important! And I know that you do get a lot of it in your neck of the woods!
DeleteI knew you would love the ruby crowned kinglet! And I bet you could have gotten a photo of it WITH the raised crown! :-)
So good that you saw the lakes and got to photograph them before the water level changes. I hope that your water at home is all sorted out now. xx
ReplyDeleteFunny how the lack of water factored in two different ways, isn't it? Yes, we have our water now, but the water dept. left a muddy mess of it!
DeleteA bit scary having no water, you realise how much you rely on utilities, although it's better where you are than realising this in London! :) That little bird is so pretty. I have never heard the name before.
ReplyDeleteFunny thing I am thinking, Richard had an aunt who lived in Kenley and when we visited there, I remember how much I liked the taste of the water from the tap!
DeleteI love birds, both here and in England! (I would love them anywhere in the world I am sure, but I am in either Conyers, Georgia or Eastbourne, E. Sussex, hardly anywhere in between!)
What a beautiful little bird!
ReplyDeleteWater...such a precious commodity!
It is a dear little bird and with the red on its head, it looked like a Santa cap!
DeleteI do remember your post, Kay! It's sad to think of the impact the lake lowering may have on the wildlife. What a sweet, pretty bird is the ruby crowned kinglet. I'm glad that you and Richard got out to see the lakes one last time! Take care!
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed for the wildlife! I will let you know!
DeleteOooohhhh, the kinglet. I have never had the pleasure so I'm slightly envious you got to see one....and in your own backyard!!! LOVE.
ReplyDeleteWe have fed the birds for so many years, I think every bird that flies over the Atlanta area knows where to go...to our little backyard!
DeleteThe water is off in my complex today - just tried to call my neighbor and she isn't home. Probably wisely out and about, avoiding it.
ReplyDeleteLovely bird!
Your neighbor sounds like my neighbors, their water was off too, but we were the only ones who called about it!
DeleteYour photo of the Kinglet is amazing. The lake looks so beautiful - it's a pity it's now drained. I'm always welcoming of water in whatever form - we need it to keep our forests from burning here in the west.
ReplyDeleteYes, I saw the news of the dire need for rain in your part of the country.
DeleteThank you very much for your comment. You have a wonderful blog, well written and with beautiful photos!
Some lovely pictures there.
ReplyDeleteLovely bird.
Why, thank you, Ad Man! Oh wait, you meant the kinglet...never mind! HA!
DeleteSweet mother of Jesus that is one cute bird. It's adorable. I hope it's ecosystem isn't too damaged. I can't understand why you'd drain a lake in the first place.
ReplyDeleteSupposedly it is because of the safety of the dam. We are hopeful that it will all turn out okay in the end.
DeleteLovely little bird. I suppose the drained lakes, when dry, will become a new desert like habitat for some wildlife if left alone. Nature will always find a place for itself somewhere. A WW2 un-exploded bomb meant a large reservoir near me had to be drained years ago to detonate it. Enjoyed an amazing walk into the dry basin before they refilled it.
ReplyDeleteNature will always find a place for itself somewhere. That is true most of the time but in this area, there is so much development that loss of habitat is a serious issue for wildlife. That is why we loved these lakes at this state park! Still, we are hopeful. Your comment about the unexploded bomb reminded me of a TV show from over there, I think it was Danger UXB...I loved that show!
DeleteKay. (3/26/16) I posted dome of your images to a Panola Mountain lake update album at https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10154736487252942.1073741849.351314302941&type=3 Feel free to send images to add to me at jeffnix@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteHey Jeff!
DeleteRichard has taken some great photos of Alexander Lake, we hope they will be full one day in the future!
Hope to walk up Panola Mountain with you soon!