tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30844048841613116412024-03-18T07:28:53.323-04:00Magnitude 1Photography, science, exploration, and a quest to swim in every 1st Magnitude spring in Florida...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358278082698151306noreply@blogger.comBlogger95125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3084404884161311641.post-11073300500491201332015-12-13T15:19:00.003-05:002015-12-14T21:47:40.512-05:00Splashed -- Reflections on TEDx Jacksonville 2015<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Usually, getting splashed is no big deal. I spend 50% of my time thinking about water and the other 50% actually </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>in</i></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> the water -- but above water, I’m not known for my grace. </span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-f0589b05-9cc5-01af-c625-96d0bb3c7747" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRz_hm2YzO11weZNoL924BAoTdI_q7TK-_90xlofU_yEdGr9Ewl8cxXDe3bGqlsG-kWwwOa-9nUCEpl2sOtH7D22YuwJZWyZAMBrzw2CLSPRYE1JNuUFebrfgVi3S78LAh8R5YakcZWNj2/s1600/X+Stage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRz_hm2YzO11weZNoL924BAoTdI_q7TK-_90xlofU_yEdGr9Ewl8cxXDe3bGqlsG-kWwwOa-9nUCEpl2sOtH7D22YuwJZWyZAMBrzw2CLSPRYE1JNuUFebrfgVi3S78LAh8R5YakcZWNj2/s320/X+Stage.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">X marks the spot. [Photo by <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tedxjacksonville/22468483742/in/album-72157659944072510/" target="_blank">TEDxJacksonville</a>]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pacing in the bright, mirror-lined prep room before my talk at TEDxJacksonville, I walked back and forth, rehearsing from memory the carefully chosen words I had spoken countless times to my living room wall, as worries swam through my mind. Taking one last swig of water, perhaps to wash away the butterflies, I managed to spill it all over the front of my shirt… probably a subconscious attempt to disappear underwater instead of marching out onto the giant red X-shaped stage waiting for me in the other room. Not to mention the 300+ pairs of eyes and the live-streaming cameras. Can I trade these high-heeled wedges for flippers and swim away? The thought crossed my mind.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But instead, Jordan Edelheit walked in, a contagious smile spread from ear to ear. Earlier that day, she had delivered <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iM6k6l7EVc" target="_blank">an absolutely incredible talk</a> -- powerful, killer stage presence, and hugely inspirational. She started TEDxOhioState while she was an undergrad and went on to create TEDxMarionCorrectional -- the first TEDx to be held in a prison. Totally badass.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At face value, the subjects that brought me and Jordan to this small room seemed worlds apart: she spoke of empathy and the amazing connections she was able to make with incarcerated men, people with whom she seemed to have very little in common with at first… and I spoke of the cavernous world beneath our feet and the power of underwater photography to reconnect us to our fragile freshwater. Similarities between our subjects weren’t exactly obvious.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yet there we stood, laughing as she fanned my shirt, somehow quite successfully drying most of the water I had poured all over myself. If I were her, I probably would have doubted this fish out of water, but instead, she unwaveringly encouraged me, told me I was going to be amazing. I smiled, and honestly tried to believe her.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And instead of walking out of the room nervous and soaking wet, I walked out dry and happy, feeling confident and inspired. I walked out and realized that the most important thing each of us brought wasn’t our individual “idea to change the world” but rather our passion and camaraderie. We not only shared our ideas but supported each other, learned from each other, and in the process, found ourselves another family. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3idUj3vHZOIlNvbJwmy29YtmOHA7Mmn4JQujIiVRj70hiZU4UyD71HBLK1TjHlcClkLeBYAago-4gzXMQr-zYv8X044QoGw-fAni3TnI1hbOSxJtdJbh17h2WrQc0ZK4lKR27xisGIlR/s1600/TEDx+speakers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="363" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3idUj3vHZOIlNvbJwmy29YtmOHA7Mmn4JQujIiVRj70hiZU4UyD71HBLK1TjHlcClkLeBYAago-4gzXMQr-zYv8X044QoGw-fAni3TnI1hbOSxJtdJbh17h2WrQc0ZK4lKR27xisGIlR/s640/TEDx+speakers.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2015 TEDxJacksonville speakers... so thankful for this wonderful new family! [Photo by <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tedxjacksonville/22468483742/in/album-72157659944072510/" target="_blank">TEDxJacksonville</a>]</td></tr>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Every speaker who stepped on stage before me inspired me, and made me realize that standing on the big X wasn’t so scary after all. And when I (carefully) walked up the steps onto the stage with no mask and snorkel, no giant underwater camera to hide behind, I looked out at the audience and the amazing TEDx team and saw not an intimidating group of people, but rather a group that was interested, on the edge of their seats, engaged. I saw a group that wanted me to succeed, who encouraged me with their nods, smiles, and looks of shock when I showed the algae-laden spring. I felt like they were there with me in the caves, swimming beside me in the spring basin, and dipping their toes in the chilly water by my side. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghHJuZToryCxvdYJaYWe_A8dtCTvRqCr4t3QxLca4AXijwTRoP7u1UUhct8PTyAp_IV_wxaaN4taeyUNnsLZo6XCzqtPyj6C8SU21du5CcKVnLDUPofR_DBBOqUWrjgATfNEe8KwH519b6/s1600/TEDxJaxPhoto2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghHJuZToryCxvdYJaYWe_A8dtCTvRqCr4t3QxLca4AXijwTRoP7u1UUhct8PTyAp_IV_wxaaN4taeyUNnsLZo6XCzqtPyj6C8SU21du5CcKVnLDUPofR_DBBOqUWrjgATfNEe8KwH519b6/s640/TEDxJaxPhoto2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">"<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Our connection to these springs is not always apparent. In fact, most
Floridians have never seen a spring. Here you can see areas of high population density in red, and low in green. And the blue dots represent Florida's major springs... </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">But
just because we cannot always see the springs does not mean that we are not
impacting them, and they us." </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">[Photo by <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tedxjacksonville/sets/72157659944072510/with/22468483742/" target="_blank">TEDxJacksonville</a>]</span></span></td></tr>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the months leading up to the event, and the incredible day itself, I learned so much more than how to write, memorize, and deliver a 12-minute talk without notes. I learned more than how to share my idea about the power of underwater photography to reconnect us to our fragile freshwater. Above all, I learned the power of those who believe in you, the importance of surrounding yourself with people who are better than you, and who, in the process, make you better. </span></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thank you all for your continued support, inspiration, for keeping me afloat, and perhaps for drying me off when I’m unexpectedly splashed. And thank you to the TEDx team: fellow speakers, speech coaches, organizers, website builders, social media & tech support (ALL of whom are volunteers!!!), for your guidance and for this invaluable opportunity -- you have changed my world.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">~~~</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You can watch my talk, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8G5_9Q2w_80" target="_blank">"Illusions: a lens into our fragile freshwater," on the TEDx Talks YouTube Channel</a>. A</span>nd you can view all of the talks from TEDxJacksonville 2015 <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaw_1W7RdXC8yuVNiOBbZk_v-FXYM8DzE">here</a>. You can also find a brief summary of the event <a href="http://tedxjacksonville.com/we-went-into-the-machine/" target="_blank">on the TEDxJacksonville website</a>. Photos from the event are on the <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tedxjacksonville/albums/72157659944072510" target="_blank">TEDxJacksonville Flickr page</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg53dHT-P_Uyi0OYezHZX7-h9eRQ0lFIdpPVg9Oq6_9KUIkviv7TV82-VcIff_420IFBbC6WqKvsQHvwsLapiqS9h0stEHjWqMPBrBSKtURrBSs0XURsdvTz1bHZ5CuVz1n3bYSCuJyYHmN/s1600/TEDxJaxPhoto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg53dHT-P_Uyi0OYezHZX7-h9eRQ0lFIdpPVg9Oq6_9KUIkviv7TV82-VcIff_420IFBbC6WqKvsQHvwsLapiqS9h0stEHjWqMPBrBSKtURrBSs0XURsdvTz1bHZ5CuVz1n3bYSCuJyYHmN/s320/TEDxJaxPhoto.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"But there is hope."<br />
[Photo by <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tedxjacksonville/sets/72157659944072510/with/22468483742/" target="_blank">TEDxJacksonville</a>]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Thank you to the <a href="http://www.femalenaturephotography.com/november-celebration/" target="_blank">Female Nature Photography</a> group for sharing my talk, as well as the <a href="https://howardtodumfloridaspringsinstitute.wildapricot.org/springs-news" target="_blank">Florida Springs Institute</a>, not to mention the countless others who have helped spread the word via social media. I truly appreciate every comment, share, and view, because a change in our water ethic will involve all of us... <i>together</i> we can create a brighter, and bluer, future for Florida.<br />
<br />
And last, but not least, thank you to my family, who tuned in from all over New England, thank you to my parents, who traveled all the way from Rhode Island to cheer me on, and thank you to Greg, who heard me rehearse the speech countless times in the living room, at the kitchen table, and underneath my breath at all times of day and night.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWNHAmv2REz5vHZdxjWpmv8XIOrW99PT8a3royrieAaABPU25Ng3UdpzOtQoMZbXqRq5wxyh6DQzo5IAEd7Ls6TKVCeTYZhOd_ttn1cKVkLFJyXCfk7JptYLe6DapCHboZHG0Epcs99ySR/s1600/Dad+and+Greg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWNHAmv2REz5vHZdxjWpmv8XIOrW99PT8a3royrieAaABPU25Ng3UdpzOtQoMZbXqRq5wxyh6DQzo5IAEd7Ls6TKVCeTYZhOd_ttn1cKVkLFJyXCfk7JptYLe6DapCHboZHG0Epcs99ySR/s320/Dad+and+Greg.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My 2 favorite guys. [Photo by <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tedxjacksonville/sets/72157659944072510/with/22468483742/" target="_blank">TEDxJacksonville</a>]</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDAE0mr5BeMIQyzJ5EZanAhY7dAPzbEOZcsJdwTuJTtSs9JgejpAqqhPeGfq63QP8DZsVq8V2dDmbvt_BmfuuIpi-UbsdPvr1sDBdH8A7QXM9ArwING74HzZQwKAGkEKHPLpSO-5cTF6Bz/s1600/Mom+and+Dad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDAE0mr5BeMIQyzJ5EZanAhY7dAPzbEOZcsJdwTuJTtSs9JgejpAqqhPeGfq63QP8DZsVq8V2dDmbvt_BmfuuIpi-UbsdPvr1sDBdH8A7QXM9ArwING74HzZQwKAGkEKHPLpSO-5cTF6Bz/s320/Mom+and+Dad.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My parents meet some other amazing attendees early in the morning... my mom is even sporting her springs-themed attire! A huge shoutout to them for always supporting me, and for making the trek from RI :) [Photo by <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tedxjacksonville/sets/72157659944072510/with/22468483742/" target="_blank">TEDxJacksonville</a>]</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358278082698151306noreply@blogger.com337tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3084404884161311641.post-43749343576772392272015-11-10T21:10:00.004-05:002015-11-10T21:23:01.455-05:00Takk fyrir<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The thick
Icelandic wind warned of winter. It harshly dried my tears, which had fallen in
endless waterfalls down my cheeks like the powerful waters of Gullfoss.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The wind brought
on chills, shivers, uncontrollable shaking. The damp earth where we laid slowly
stole my warmth. A distant red-roofed farmhouse stood in stark contrast to the
dramatic mountains, decorating the valley where we crashed. It appeared to be a
picture perfect scene from a movie, and I felt as if I were in one, or perhaps in
a distant dream. Somebody wake me up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Four thousand
miles from home, but close to each other, we laid in the grass, whipped
irreverently by the relentless wind. We were insignificant obstacles in its
path towards the angry ocean at the base of the nearby cliffs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We laid and we
waited. Laura ran down the road to find help as we hung on to the hope that
someone would drive by. Anyone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Time did not
seem to move forward. Worse case scenarios ran through my mind. I don’t
remember how long we waited, but I soon felt a gentle touch and caught a
glimpse of white hair as it touched my cheek, soft like silk. A calming,
motherly voice said hello; she said her name was Sue. She told me it was going
to be okay… so I believed her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Faces blurred in
and out of view, blankets piled on top of us, rocks placed around the edge of
the blankets to keep them from joining the torrents of the wind. People held cushions
to barricade the harsh wind, building a fort around our sprawled bodies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">More people
arrived and the wind soon carried foreign words, worried tones. Minutes felt
like hours and strangers became friends as we learned the language of
expression, tone, and smiles. Kind gestures speak volumes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Our eyes tried
so hard to close, but Sue’s words kept us awake. In a friendly Toronto accent,
she and her husband Dave asked us about our trip, asked us our names, and constantly
reassured us it would be ok. We weren’t sure what to believe, but we nodded,
still fighting the urge to sleep.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Magni joined Sue.
He was driving from <span style="color: #1a1a1a;">Ísafjörður</span> to Reykjavik
to visit his daughter when he saw the remnants of our van and stopped to help.
While we waited for the ambulance, he taught us the longest word in Icelandic: Vaðlaheiðarvegavinnuverkfærageymsluskúraútidyralyklakippuhringur.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Magni’s smile
came in and out of view as he taught us various Icelandic phrases and brought
blankets and more barriers from the wind. Others stopped to help, braving the
devastating wind to collect our belongings and help the other four in our group.
We got word that Fiona couldn’t move. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">~~~<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I still now have
flashes of flipping – as I fall asleep, I am often awaken suddenly by the
feeling before we rolled, my heart racing. I can vividly remember the moment,
frozen in time, when I knew we were going to die… and also the moment when the
chaos came to a halt and we somehow didn’t.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Just moments
before the crash, we stopped to admire the majestic Icelandic horses. I
marveled at their resilience, picturing them in the dead of winter, eyelashes
covered in ice, hooves in the deep white snow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_6fIWSO-foRtEYV3KggeEVgjU3gY-Tf0yIJZPh50rqGf-RSuTlNfYfsm_oPFLMV3eNK2Cj4Z3-8qKo00eZSzd_L0Xc7ulqk6iJH2_36U_COGOfWhD98C88jEZBN8r_vtmk8-DB0hCa5R/s1600/horsezoom-12302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_6fIWSO-foRtEYV3KggeEVgjU3gY-Tf0yIJZPh50rqGf-RSuTlNfYfsm_oPFLMV3eNK2Cj4Z3-8qKo00eZSzd_L0Xc7ulqk6iJH2_36U_COGOfWhD98C88jEZBN8r_vtmk8-DB0hCa5R/s640/horsezoom-12302.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Just moments
before, I ran back to the RV, sprinting up the middle of the wide-open road,
tiptoes touching the double yellow lines, every step pushing me through the
strong wind, feeling energized, blissful, free.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I grew up
longing for wind and lived by it for years of competitive dinghy sailing. We
called ourselves sailors, but I now realize we were really acrobats of the
wind. We jumped, hung, and balanced in the boat, every precise movement carried
out with calculated grace. And we did all of this while reading the wind,
analyzing every pattern on the water, preparing for what we anticipated it
would do next. Many metaphors relate sailing to life, but for me, sailing was
life. We lived by, and for, the wind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">But all sailors
also know that the wind can be challenging, unpredictable, unforgiving.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">When our RV
emerged from behind the wind shadow of a mountain in Iceland’s West Fjords, a
damaging gust violently threw us off the road.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">There are simply
no words to describe the feelings moments after the accident, besides perhaps
pure shock. I had no idea what had happened or how many times we rolled, or
where I had been when it happened.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We screamed for
each other, cries drowned by the roaring wind. It lets up for nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Some of us
emerged from the rubble. Fiona had been thrown from the van as it tore into
pieces during the roll. Greg’s face was painted red with blood. It wasn’t until
2 hours later that I realized I suffered a bad concussion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We found each
other and fell to the ground next to the van. The wind instantly ripped the
roof and sides from the RV, sending them flying like pieces of flimsy cardboard,
across the field and into the roaring ocean below.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE8nQGm_z3eHMSwoimov6L_5mNowyuFDokhL0Z3PwIBBz5UWtd3aEX4ZfghrJ_6QaBh2iwWHhPwy0Q8InRzpXxPY-o37Q_U0MPZyzXP9duoZFMJ2MRk14dyEmZMXCCYvcuHmcGXJh8Nh3W/s1600/12022513_10100868910652891_4276028562419184622_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE8nQGm_z3eHMSwoimov6L_5mNowyuFDokhL0Z3PwIBBz5UWtd3aEX4ZfghrJ_6QaBh2iwWHhPwy0Q8InRzpXxPY-o37Q_U0MPZyzXP9duoZFMJ2MRk14dyEmZMXCCYvcuHmcGXJh8Nh3W/s640/12022513_10100868910652891_4276028562419184622_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Jennah Caster</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">~~~<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It’s amazing how
something can be so horrific and traumatic, yet so beautiful. We experienced
the kindness and generosity of total strangers – in a foreign land, we felt
like family. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">A helicopter
came for Fiona, and Magni graciously offered a few of us a ride back to
Reykjavik – the ambulances from the west fjords didn’t go to the hospitals in
the capital. It was the longest 2-hours of my life, but along the way Magni
made it a bit better as he pointed out various landmarks and told us their
names, and often a little story. He shared with us his love for his gorgeous
country as we drove by scenery that looked unreal – this simply added to the
dream-like, dazed, and shocked feeling of the whole endeavor. But as he taught
us more complex, yet beautiful, Icelandic words, we realized that there was
really only one word we wanted to learn: thank you. “Takk fyrir,” he said. It
took us quite a few tries and I’m not sure we ever mastered it, but Magni
smiled. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have eternal
gratitude for the people, both local Icelandic citizens and other travelers
who, selflessly and without hesitation, went out of their way to help us both
at the scene of the accident and throughout the difficult days that followed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In a world so often
full of negative news – from natural disasters and war to sadness, tragedy and
devastation – this was a beautiful reminder of the compassion and kindness that
still exists. It’s also a reminder of the fragility of life, how everything can
change in seconds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Just as we will
never forget the gust, the shock, the trauma, and the tears, we will also never
forget the incredible people, once strangers, who now hold a special place in
our hearts. To those who we will never see again, to those who we did not officially
meet and we never learned your name, to those who took the time to comfort us,
help us heal, and make it back to our own home: <span style="color: #1c1c1c;">Takk fyrir</span>.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj8SSA3vBjyIRHQL7OjuUY9Fx9onhUCo-eDm_Q74E-amK4e-TOpQZACVJRSyMi3KxbeLAwwGK-Rz7qra2jhwVtbQvax6S-SmslhRg8l6fbKHYeLPqwjHjveetJTajAlOfn6ZB2OPL481To/s1600/sunsetontheroad-10972.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj8SSA3vBjyIRHQL7OjuUY9Fx9onhUCo-eDm_Q74E-amK4e-TOpQZACVJRSyMi3KxbeLAwwGK-Rz7qra2jhwVtbQvax6S-SmslhRg8l6fbKHYeLPqwjHjveetJTajAlOfn6ZB2OPL481To/s640/sunsetontheroad-10972.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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~</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">For more details about the accident, see <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10100868910652891&set=pb.1000989.-2207520000.1447207408.&type=3&theater" target="_blank">Patrick's Facebook post</a> and for photographs of our adventures during the 10 amazing days in Iceland before the accident, check out <a href="https://www.instagram.com/waterlust/" target="_blank">@Waterlust</a> & <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jmadler/" target="_blank">@jmadler</a>.</span></div>
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<a href="https://instagram.com/p/7_QOFHqGcJ/" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">The @waterlust crew exploring the #fjord of #seyoisfjörour</a></div>
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A photo posted by @goingowengone on <time datetime="2015-09-23T21:33:10+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Sep 23, 2015 at 2:33pm PDT</time></div>
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<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358278082698151306noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3084404884161311641.post-70040217328318626282015-10-20T18:59:00.001-04:002015-10-20T19:02:04.500-04:00The Springs Take Center Stage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWgIchcRUsGtaTXbzV-zJYCYiycBoZm-rO6DyDkZsdikx45iQsWSXYwO0TXVuGdYsrH-eQaWAyQlDuNvwTd1zL1T74vLwHcD2Z3sgabAtWTWoYWCtAPHOk8w5xMCgZ4hOPEkWXqH3PVRvP/s1600/intothemachine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWgIchcRUsGtaTXbzV-zJYCYiycBoZm-rO6DyDkZsdikx45iQsWSXYwO0TXVuGdYsrH-eQaWAyQlDuNvwTd1zL1T74vLwHcD2Z3sgabAtWTWoYWCtAPHOk8w5xMCgZ4hOPEkWXqH3PVRvP/s640/intothemachine.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This Saturday afternoon (10/24), I will be one of 12 speakers at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TEDxJacksonville">TEDxJacksonville</a>'s 2015 event "Into The Machine." I will share a talk titled "Illusions: A lens into our fragile freshwater." Basically, my "idea worth spreading" (the take-home "nugget" of every TED or TEDx talk) is that underwater photographs can help reconnect us to our threatened freshwater. I will take the audience on a tour of the underwater world that has captured my heart, from sparkling spring bowls to the winding aquifer hidden beneath our feet. I will tell you more of the details on Saturday, don't want to give too many away yet!</span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEuginZ3yKRchml1JG32ulF1Jrz3GWd8fEr5I18GfqPQL3_owGaYyAImbzpyWRFavYSgEAckrMxSaACjSTGYpg4WrbISeEe9av7v5-cKQZ-zKY6MfYp3gleCNAKn0bCGZilfdHK3c-Kk66/s1600/swirlreflections-0010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEuginZ3yKRchml1JG32ulF1Jrz3GWd8fEr5I18GfqPQL3_owGaYyAImbzpyWRFavYSgEAckrMxSaACjSTGYpg4WrbISeEe9av7v5-cKQZ-zKY6MfYp3gleCNAKn0bCGZilfdHK3c-Kk66/s640/swirlreflections-0010.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">To my friends and family in far away places -- if you don't have a ticket, don't worry! The talk will be live-streamed at <a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2FYouTube.com%2FTEDxTalks&h=ZAQGeWVHMAQEdWNxh4L-3kxowVY5nTicKyc0xospyDuoNdg&enc=AZN6d1a5QLmSLuFbGLYZeElf0KjEvHs9zjLdmZkk9M7IcYEIF1Lgz2OLN3yBErR-LogT2mTr3sCNPTm8HJPULtkKyNvg4qxnAC6MxbiOFsrUtjehWd6mA7Q6lz-XfM3r2ZuII8OUpOqI0cdzrdie3tudaGFAufGeZhi95nLdXpNPWw&s=1">http://YouTube.com/TEDxTalks</a>; you can click on this link between 10 am and 6 pm on Saturday (10/24) and watch from the comfort of your home... or perhaps on your cell phone while you're out and about. If you happen to be in Jax, you can also join viewing parties at the University Park Branch Library or the Webb Wesconnett Branch Library. My talk is part of the last session of the day, which will run from 4:30-5:50 pm EST, but I highly recommend checking out the live-stream at other times throughout the day, because the diverse line up of speakers and performers is incredible!</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhznnB0thASQ5eoNt-TmKbb5k6Pug9FgC3oHu8Iovi1NX1q5ostzas7QzqPZ6LyDR_-Ghs5GnQTjsVUE5xpRd-JDM1zwqoqp83lU2f6t22NqfkoS5GmiGbhAH5WDWTSYqRkTD6GYgJxtZsY/s1600/TEDx+Jax+Speakers.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhznnB0thASQ5eoNt-TmKbb5k6Pug9FgC3oHu8Iovi1NX1q5ostzas7QzqPZ6LyDR_-Ghs5GnQTjsVUE5xpRd-JDM1zwqoqp83lU2f6t22NqfkoS5GmiGbhAH5WDWTSYqRkTD6GYgJxtZsY/s400/TEDx+Jax+Speakers.png" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small; font-weight: normal;">A tiny preview of the 12 speakers, as listed on the TEDx Jacksonville's website (<a href="http://tedxjacksonville.com/attend/">http://tedxjacksonville.com/attend/</a>). There are also 4 musical performances that will take place throughout the day and bios of the performers are listed on the same TEDx Jax page, just below the speaker bios.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I am incredibly grateful to the amazing team of volunteers at TEDx Jacksonville who have worked countless hours over the past months and have been so supportive throughout this entire creative process -- from developing and fine-tuning my message and idea, communicating this idea in a way that is coherent and understandable to a diverse audience, and now practicing to the point where I fall asleep every night reciting it in my mind. It is because of their generosity and dedication that this event is possible, and I feel very lucky to have been a part of the training, coaching, and sharing of ideas that has been ongoing since July. I am excited to let the springs take center stage and to have the opportunity to share my favorite underwater world with a wider audience. I look forward to hearing from the other speakers and performers and to writing more thoroughly about the entire TEDx Jacksonville experience after it's done -- now to get back to practicing! <br /><br /><br /> Thank you all for your continued support!</span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsxovmJB7jTNy4-ktyMKc-jEwWcdTEJatrPJuh-2vqj81pgtk0Is_49idtpDVeeIMs16wu2JiZEi86jG-jmKfZuww9nwiqdKCQffHafkyQMuxBn2zCUPS7A1_Ikn4pIyuENFUfwczlo4-4/s1600/fallatblue-0219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsxovmJB7jTNy4-ktyMKc-jEwWcdTEJatrPJuh-2vqj81pgtk0Is_49idtpDVeeIMs16wu2JiZEi86jG-jmKfZuww9nwiqdKCQffHafkyQMuxBn2zCUPS7A1_Ikn4pIyuENFUfwczlo4-4/s640/fallatblue-0219.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lens into our fragile freshwater...</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358278082698151306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3084404884161311641.post-31048254106093237042015-07-24T22:31:00.002-04:002015-07-24T22:35:30.158-04:00Stolen Stars<div>
As the sun set, shivers set in. We had just surfaced from a dive in the Ballroom and the damp neoprene and soggy booties weren't doing us any favors. </div>
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A cloudy, grey night obscured the moon, leaving no hope for any stars. But we knew where to find them. </div>
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For now, we had them bottled up. The stars, that is. The back of the car glowed until Bre took the bottled up stars and tucked them into the pocket of her drysuit. We geared up and headed for a new galaxy - but instead of heading for outer space, we plunged into the depths of the aquifer.</div>
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We each found a safe spot amongst the limestone boulders in the vast, underwater cavern and signaled large circles with our lights to let each other know that we were okay. With the flick of a switch, the last light was extinguished and total darkness ensued.</div>
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Before the stars emerged, it was impossible to tell if my eyes were open or closed. There was no distant city glow, no moon faintly shining through a thin layer of clouds. There were no dim streetlights, no headlights. Simply no light at all. Somehow, the darkness was comforting - it wrapped me in a black, watery cloak and suspended me, weightless in an empty room. </div>
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But just as soon as my eyes come to terms with the total and complete darkness, a glow emerges below. The stars have been released.<br />
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<blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/jenniferadlerphoto/videos/884022175017798/">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/jenniferadlerphoto/videos/884022175017798/">Galaxy Dive</a><br />
Friday night lights. [don't forget to click the HD button on the bottom right ;)]~~~There is nothing like a galaxy dive (except, I imagine, being an astronaut!). Thanks to Narked Scuba for an awesome night!<br />
Posted by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jenniferadlerphoto">Jennifer Adler Photography</a> on Saturday, July 18, 2015</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
A colorless cavern is transformed into a glowing, otherworldly landscape. It's a mix of the Milky Way and a giant cloud of fireflies. The invisible water flows furiously from the cave below, carrying the shimmering stars like a swift night wind.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoDXvgHczfEf9vAdlGOMh-Rz1ndK8GqIRuAisoR6_htLWugOqhiCb6hbGRji90f2XejLvE8LCSQ_Zr9fRdshiIMg7FL_XHpg7rZiKaeWcoF8iDwgYdSUS51O6_nAoCGNPceoa9m19YhLn8/s1600/galaxydive-0342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoDXvgHczfEf9vAdlGOMh-Rz1ndK8GqIRuAisoR6_htLWugOqhiCb6hbGRji90f2XejLvE8LCSQ_Zr9fRdshiIMg7FL_XHpg7rZiKaeWcoF8iDwgYdSUS51O6_nAoCGNPceoa9m19YhLn8/s640/galaxydive-0342.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Shooting stars are too numerous to count.</td></tr>
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In this galaxy, shooting stars are too numerous to count. They ride the current and dance in our bubbles, some staying suspended in what appears to be thin air and others falling to blanket the sandy bottom.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU6dyyM5ZAiUGUTDZlQgVeRNNqqxpmWjyNfIk4SH-vNbdN5R7HnE9XVvA3Grulwn-nzcMgASKOv2DAcyJ6i3g1QlH8HkbiaOfPb8R2yMaKKo3hYGzl67Qfo2fkndqoYUyhRWg6iOZtjt7o/s1600/galaxydive-0344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU6dyyM5ZAiUGUTDZlQgVeRNNqqxpmWjyNfIk4SH-vNbdN5R7HnE9XVvA3Grulwn-nzcMgASKOv2DAcyJ6i3g1QlH8HkbiaOfPb8R2yMaKKo3hYGzl67Qfo2fkndqoYUyhRWg6iOZtjt7o/s640/galaxydive-0344.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Stars streak through the cavern and settle to the limestone floor. A tiny diver's silhouette is dwarfed by the cavernous underworld.</td></tr>
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I reach back and squeeze Greg's arm - sometimes I dream I can breathe underwater but this appears to be real. He squeezes back, but there are no words underwater. We hover, speechless but not silent - each exhale pushes a stream of bubbles that grumble like thunder as they push through the limestone crevices in the sky. Soon, the stars fade, as if storm clouds followed the grumbles of thunder and extinguished the underwater stars.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358278082698151306noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3084404884161311641.post-47044264066934953112015-06-18T10:09:00.002-04:002015-06-18T10:09:28.288-04:00Where Turtles Can Fly<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #10131a;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There is a place on earth where
turtles can fly…</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjgT1gD38YQ247lNXWuBnqq_vCe_83dLeDory9hX0RfR63qEnsVL_aby4s4qE8nvbGCI0bVdzFrozAMqBRyV_0YBn8Ydn1x1uk6pWevKaGllLBonCZqK0DCqyRllxdLVH8okx7KRGAzy1/s1600/flyingturtle-1394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjgT1gD38YQ247lNXWuBnqq_vCe_83dLeDory9hX0RfR63qEnsVL_aby4s4qE8nvbGCI0bVdzFrozAMqBRyV_0YBn8Ydn1x1uk6pWevKaGllLBonCZqK0DCqyRllxdLVH8okx7KRGAzy1/s400/flyingturtle-1394.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #10131a;">… and you can too.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVlCZUkJzqrtoxUbUIIECNSvvRzbXYDKpn9JHUF7AdaCir782YhluTFAYCzodK5V2iufnFdcnGdm2IDcQv0ChNDVLNJgK9gbaHqJTGj8dj7BoXQKSRMXtrw9gGhXQt2MpNCcKVodKLa_BN/s1600/bluesunday-0874.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVlCZUkJzqrtoxUbUIIECNSvvRzbXYDKpn9JHUF7AdaCir782YhluTFAYCzodK5V2iufnFdcnGdm2IDcQv0ChNDVLNJgK9gbaHqJTGj8dj7BoXQKSRMXtrw9gGhXQt2MpNCcKVodKLa_BN/s400/bluesunday-0874.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #10131a;">It’s a place where feet flock to hide from the heat of the sweltering summer, </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2IDa7A4fgqz7O-78tLpGT-OHKWVt0ptB2rXdeY3SJngniMYu3_AyritmgsriBH7UGT5SCWI7LnGumNNPzQxY5qvZK0CPhriFMZEKgTsO3_RBfjd4J6eHTI8ny3HySA7WXIVWogSPA06jK/s1600/blue-0650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2IDa7A4fgqz7O-78tLpGT-OHKWVt0ptB2rXdeY3SJngniMYu3_AyritmgsriBH7UGT5SCWI7LnGumNNPzQxY5qvZK0CPhriFMZEKgTsO3_RBfjd4J6eHTI8ny3HySA7WXIVWogSPA06jK/s320/blue-0650.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #10131a;">…and where some take refuge from the winter’s chill.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjWiyscEaUAWt4DvjlO17IdeFoZrttfZGZ6hHbrM_EML-JOLwdj6BIcWAHeq0sC02X_owvt9alz0VtKoutgox8R_Z-UMM2e-MhBI3FohVBsvZbFhwgrV3HOmCKuLrlMwCyoYdm8HgMbLJi/s1600/flyinghalfandhalf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjWiyscEaUAWt4DvjlO17IdeFoZrttfZGZ6hHbrM_EML-JOLwdj6BIcWAHeq0sC02X_owvt9alz0VtKoutgox8R_Z-UMM2e-MhBI3FohVBsvZbFhwgrV3HOmCKuLrlMwCyoYdm8HgMbLJi/s320/flyinghalfandhalf.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #10131a;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #10131a;">It is a place to relax and destress,</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP9oiLsCurleDSMBcRIx8IpQ4mw4Pa_J-CoSDpBkllFz25pmOkpj0IJ2lAFT3L8zvweI6DA_JBVPvde1YwIeSGdCmlwSX7sh7N94oirlobkTPuSHZD05cGha1s8VZAn857kotPyuC4Lieb/s1600/blue418-0610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP9oiLsCurleDSMBcRIx8IpQ4mw4Pa_J-CoSDpBkllFz25pmOkpj0IJ2lAFT3L8zvweI6DA_JBVPvde1YwIeSGdCmlwSX7sh7N94oirlobkTPuSHZD05cGha1s8VZAn857kotPyuC4Lieb/s400/blue418-0610.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #10131a;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #10131a;">...and to explore the intersection of two worlds.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinAIik9lSmshEUvIVrjGk73Tng8VMpcE5j7GRRS68h5UJ7enXeG0cFBbmTQaKlpxbv2D-psXTQKAN-UlhtD9XnXPQLcdWSVsAyLmsQ53r_zsIgkBwfkd2LD15SNsc2DeJkuuQiW58UR4kf/s1600/DSC_0173.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinAIik9lSmshEUvIVrjGk73Tng8VMpcE5j7GRRS68h5UJ7enXeG0cFBbmTQaKlpxbv2D-psXTQKAN-UlhtD9XnXPQLcdWSVsAyLmsQ53r_zsIgkBwfkd2LD15SNsc2DeJkuuQiW58UR4kf/s400/DSC_0173.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #10131a;">It is a calming green paradise, replete with swaying </span><i style="color: #10131a;">Sagitteria</i><span style="color: #10131a;">,</span><span style="color: #10131a;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG6BS3xlgPfE7_JIgmwTC8gFiZW3YcaqPpKUMfzWy1U4UVFELR9_fwCUJRW4QoFeQZjw_aRn8LbcoADgKYqzherMiGnDb1EwmkBSe7dHKK36wZDuQDhI3TaH2dov8zFAFAOFY1Vz_ibyJG/s1600/bluesunday-0992.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG6BS3xlgPfE7_JIgmwTC8gFiZW3YcaqPpKUMfzWy1U4UVFELR9_fwCUJRW4QoFeQZjw_aRn8LbcoADgKYqzherMiGnDb1EwmkBSe7dHKK36wZDuQDhI3TaH2dov8zFAFAOFY1Vz_ibyJG/s400/bluesunday-0992.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #10131a;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #10131a;">... and an abundance of diverse vegetation that serves as a habitat for a fishes and invertebrates.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2xTj-3rbpGt4HQsCeQ85CGbG7jo-2pV36-AcOir8XrdgS9MphkldR1DpF03G7KjOd_PdE_GM9XX3H-Mg-P3vD4YF2o_2OuZfPwnU62OOu1PA4dNUaLDMZbuCCPyUGPXEO1NKDGpbFo1A0/s1600/DSC_0601.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2xTj-3rbpGt4HQsCeQ85CGbG7jo-2pV36-AcOir8XrdgS9MphkldR1DpF03G7KjOd_PdE_GM9XX3H-Mg-P3vD4YF2o_2OuZfPwnU62OOu1PA4dNUaLDMZbuCCPyUGPXEO1NKDGpbFo1A0/s320/DSC_0601.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #10131a;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #10131a;">It is a place where reflective illusions play tricks on your mind,</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXiXoRXuEp-_HotJZhMkg9OKexZ5VHHXB5q_6xCPFfnFM_qayZJrZzZpSGIJErlEBUuZB1GRE48hIfKSENeeiXRPGszwHPiOeYcx1CsT74_nPZfZXcECKAAtjFuahj6-mm8QmROromjU_F/s1600/reflectionsreduced.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXiXoRXuEp-_HotJZhMkg9OKexZ5VHHXB5q_6xCPFfnFM_qayZJrZzZpSGIJErlEBUuZB1GRE48hIfKSENeeiXRPGszwHPiOeYcx1CsT74_nPZfZXcECKAAtjFuahj6-mm8QmROromjU_F/s320/reflectionsreduced.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #10131a;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #10131a;">... where some come to dream in a storm of blue,</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijo2r2dyXa9trTxPttzked2SU_4zfWRYC24kaxrVnWum2FxUBRe3x7o8DzMA-HuCV7kXqkL0m_7KxQuNXUGmfMQPvrCwEAKVocHxx0OMCxdXXFjwfaF0Kr8JJPNpnUJPZObvhVE64_2t2u/s1600/8+Main+Spring+May_6_2015-0266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijo2r2dyXa9trTxPttzked2SU_4zfWRYC24kaxrVnWum2FxUBRe3x7o8DzMA-HuCV7kXqkL0m_7KxQuNXUGmfMQPvrCwEAKVocHxx0OMCxdXXFjwfaF0Kr8JJPNpnUJPZObvhVE64_2t2u/s400/8+Main+Spring+May_6_2015-0266.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #10131a;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #10131a;">... and others come to study what happens just beneath the surface.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWZhPLRAnc5V_4ts0hduPO6tuJCXGqghLTkQbdfWNSq0M3iCLP891SS-ahq32kDBeBAWCSQ0tMBPvGzndz8kPbfeuwUeLkfe_474cDMiNj6aU6Q3DuTaFMB7ppJpnyt1H0S9YcQMr-SsW1/s1600/scienceatblue-0215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWZhPLRAnc5V_4ts0hduPO6tuJCXGqghLTkQbdfWNSq0M3iCLP891SS-ahq32kDBeBAWCSQ0tMBPvGzndz8kPbfeuwUeLkfe_474cDMiNj6aU6Q3DuTaFMB7ppJpnyt1H0S9YcQMr-SsW1/s320/scienceatblue-0215.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #10131a;">This impossibly clear water is not only a haven and a laboratory but also a reminder of what lies beneath. It's a little glimpse of the invisible aquifer beneath our feet: the fragile source of water that sustains our daily lives. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjml7bIj4ziNYmmy-1foAXAiDDgCcEdBHV04Ggrpqcol-Ww-D-_a6Tnnxpe8igV2SkMPZ6LelB-xRVnCvl0CM-4db_p8vbXtI4Ryrly_zC5owTfJD-eYl4UQG5SYFPDSeiJSMsUPSE-wuxF/s1600/nakedspringvent-0369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjml7bIj4ziNYmmy-1foAXAiDDgCcEdBHV04Ggrpqcol-Ww-D-_a6Tnnxpe8igV2SkMPZ6LelB-xRVnCvl0CM-4db_p8vbXtI4Ryrly_zC5owTfJD-eYl4UQG5SYFPDSeiJSMsUPSE-wuxF/s320/nakedspringvent-0369.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQlWtFppYZM2XDKhVvXiXhE8RpeEcMLKIruaX4ayzSRAsbCVp_uawTtVlQctKRjGuwfpqyCv5gjWbqX_APdVLjFNjOONeJqokM-B4c9DINgO7u3TFbFsYjTov7dIYqlN1kzPdmTvKKw8E/s1600/blue-0711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQlWtFppYZM2XDKhVvXiXhE8RpeEcMLKIruaX4ayzSRAsbCVp_uawTtVlQctKRjGuwfpqyCv5gjWbqX_APdVLjFNjOONeJqokM-B4c9DINgO7u3TFbFsYjTov7dIYqlN1kzPdmTvKKw8E/s400/blue-0711.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #10131a;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #10131a;">This, and so much more, is Gilchrist Blue Spring. And it's for sale.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #10131a;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #10131a;">Words and photographs will never do justice to this amazing place, but we can try, and I hope to help by sharing these photographs and accompanying words that are all inspired by Blue's refreshing waters</span><span style="color: #10131a;">. I hope that you will take the plunge at Blue Spring and fall deeply in love for yourself. And I hope that you will also take action to help Blue become a Florida State Park. This Friday, June 19, 2015, the Acquisition and Restoration Council will meet in Tallahassee to consider the spring as a state park. Please sign this petition to help them reach their goal of 750 signatures: </span></div>
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<iframe class="moveon-petition" height="500px" id="petition-embed" src="http://petitions.moveon.org/embed/widget.html?v=3&name=purchase-of-gilchrist" width="300px"></iframe>
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<br />
...and please see <a href="http://oursantaferiver.org/wp/help-purchase-gilchrist-blue-springs-heres-how/" target="_blank">this informative post by Our Santa Fe River</a> for more information about sending an email to the council on behalf of Blue Spring. It's the least we can do to thank Blue for all that she so generously offers us through her inspirational and relaxing waters. Thank you so much for taking the time and for joining me in supporting something so close to both my heart and the hearts of so many fellow Floridians.</div>
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Thank you, Jenny (<a href="http://www.jenniferadlerphotography.com/">www.jenniferadlerphotography.com</a>)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNUEJVWOzpA57dp84YxWL-dqTQzqR2uds2PRFINRXx2LexgveqUXyPKgssWTNfjwUG_0KXpsenrZ_N08pswoqetSVSqL0EbdtIL6P4mj_hH3wCRX_plsdiplpBTfVJ6zIKH-ZhDxccq-4h/s1600/blue-0229356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNUEJVWOzpA57dp84YxWL-dqTQzqR2uds2PRFINRXx2LexgveqUXyPKgssWTNfjwUG_0KXpsenrZ_N08pswoqetSVSqL0EbdtIL6P4mj_hH3wCRX_plsdiplpBTfVJ6zIKH-ZhDxccq-4h/s320/blue-0229356.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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PS on a more personal note, Blue is my favorite place to photograph. Its reflective waters have inspired some of my best photographs and writing and have been the site of my scientific field studies. I have visited blue about 50 times and cannot imagine my world without it. I am optimistic that together we can preserve this unique and irreplaceable ecosystem so that we and our children, grandchildren, etc. may continue to enjoy its crystal blue embrace <3</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-n9FuoEyRm2N6XELteZkcxc5CH4s0KEiGiszTOPRr_kGQfSghk1eNurXseKCetkRQbu-Eh_H9492AH5n19F3dUW5lHHjki_O6T5IIJ9bHNeCaa-24n80FEPgbNh-bemKeV9cAI1Z9EyB/s1600/bluesunday-0938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-n9FuoEyRm2N6XELteZkcxc5CH4s0KEiGiszTOPRr_kGQfSghk1eNurXseKCetkRQbu-Eh_H9492AH5n19F3dUW5lHHjki_O6T5IIJ9bHNeCaa-24n80FEPgbNh-bemKeV9cAI1Z9EyB/s640/bluesunday-0938.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358278082698151306noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3084404884161311641.post-19945008792451026552015-05-29T12:31:00.000-04:002015-05-29T12:31:01.954-04:00Congratulations Dr. Wendy Graham!<div id="fb-root">
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<blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/jenniferadlerphoto/posts/856637131089636">
It was a pleasure working with University of Florida Preeminence to shoot the images for their feature on Dr. Wendy...<br />
Posted by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jenniferadlerphoto">Jennifer Adler Photography</a> on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jenniferadlerphoto/posts/856637131089636">Friday, May 29, 2015</a></blockquote>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358278082698151306noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3084404884161311641.post-48202854820325481122015-05-14T22:53:00.000-04:002015-05-14T22:53:15.188-04:00Lenses and Love<div>
My latest blog post is up on the "State of Water, State of Change" blog, a blog that highlights the work of students at the University of Florida's College of Journalism and Communications. This past semester, I was lucky to take an Environmental Journalism course with Cynthia Barnett - "Lenses and love: The art of Saving Florida's springs" is my final long-form piece for the class, a story about the role of art in saving Florida's springs. A million thanks to the amazing artists that talked over tea at Volta, under live oaks at the Prairie, on the phone while driving to a presentation, and in their own living rooms - you are all incredible sources of inspiration and I thank you for sharing your beautiful stories. And of course thank you to Cynthia, whose patience, 5 a.m. edits, always-helpful suggestions, and kind words have so incredibly shaped my development as a writer.</div>
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<blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/cynthia.barnett.37/posts/10206489304012774">
Check out the latest story from State of Water, State of Change, a showcase of work from Environmental Journalism...<br />
Posted by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/cynthia.barnett.37">Cynthia Barnett</a> on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/cynthia.barnett.37/posts/10206489304012774">Wednesday, May 13, 2015</a></blockquote>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358278082698151306noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3084404884161311641.post-66246192151670898832015-04-08T22:48:00.000-04:002015-04-08T22:48:13.364-04:00Phosphorescent forest<div class="MsoNormal">
The forest dances at dusk.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The chorus of cicadas sings to the harmony of crickets, the
melodious symphony breaking the silence of the summer darkness that stealthily
replaces the remnants of the sun’s orange glow. Flashes of light dot the thick evening
air as fireflies waltz... The understory is alive.</div>
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In the landlocked forest, I have never felt so close to the
sea. Water splashes into my mind, bringing waves of memories: summer slumber on
the sailboat, starry nights illuminating the harbor, the ocean under a crisp
crescent moon as I lay on the salty deck. I am wading in a sea of phosphorescence. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The crackling leaves under my flip-flops break my ocean
dreams; the phosphorescent ocean in my mind gives way to a forest floor, glittering under
a hand-stitched quilt of fireflies. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358278082698151306noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3084404884161311641.post-83916574695690107582015-03-22T20:26:00.000-04:002015-03-22T20:29:46.992-04:00World Water Day & the Blue embrace<div style="text-align: center;">
The chilly, yet welcome, embrace of Blue engulfed me; </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
as I took the plunge, she cradled me in her arms. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Without a wetsuit, the shock of the spring instantaneously awoke </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
my sleepy mind, silencing stress and the morning symphony of birds. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bubbles, then reflective, blue silence, filled my eyes and ears </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
as the underwater world painted the sky.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDvKx2nIw-L3QFt5fMt2R87lmrvcEHK2wENv0COTO2Ma2men7ZYLRaisW0BI5T_RFl-HY8Q_qq42O4pBcVsYKs_lxeoIzbrB9908BZtbP3129RhB0w1jABAorgBTCr78dfLma9Ho8OCJqi/s1600/untitled-0249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDvKx2nIw-L3QFt5fMt2R87lmrvcEHK2wENv0COTO2Ma2men7ZYLRaisW0BI5T_RFl-HY8Q_qq42O4pBcVsYKs_lxeoIzbrB9908BZtbP3129RhB0w1jABAorgBTCr78dfLma9Ho8OCJqi/s1600/untitled-0249.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
This reflective world is my escape; it is the place I go to relax, where I capture colors, feelings, and patterns in the invisible sky. The springs are my canvas and water is my obsession - what does water mean to you? Today, World Water Day, is the perfect time to take a break and share a few photos and musings on the subject of this seemingly ubiquitous, yet coveted, liquid gold - and encourage you to do the same.<br />
<br />
One of the may things that fascinates me about water is that 97% of the liquid freshwater on our planet is found beneath our feet. Here in Florida, 92% of the population relies on this invisible water as their main source of drinking water, but because it's hidden in aquifers, it is often out of sight, out of mind. Do you ever wonder what it looks like in the aquifer? Here's a little glimpse:<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10203834633126701">Post</a> by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jenny.adler.11">Jenny Adler</a>.</div>
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<br />
Invisible water isn't just below ground - in fact, if all of the water vapor in the earth's atmosphere were in liquid form, it would cover the earth in about an inch of water. Anyway, these facts, stats, and thoughts are just a few of many water-related ideas that have been flowing through my mind over the past few weeks as I've been working on several stories that have to do with the aquifer and springs.<br />
<br />
But I know that not everybody spends this much time obsessively thinking about water... So, one of my goals is to share views from underwater places that people may never get the chance to experience for themselves - and to share unique views from places people have visited... views that seem to bend reality and invite you to explore. In some small way, I hope these photos help people fall in love with our precious springs and become inspired to learn more, or perhaps decide to take the plunge and experience the underwater world for themselves.<br />
<br />
Jacques Cousteau’s famous words “we protect what we love” are ringing in my head. If we can raise a generation that loves springs and cherishes our water and the creatures that live in it, we will have done something truly revolutionary and amazing... So don’t take water for granted - World Water Day should be every day - but at least for today, think about what water means to you and share it with others: inspire your friends and family, neighbors and coworkers, to better understand how important water is to them personally and our society as a whole. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLawV0HW5v8gVILYUJ5vy1QPou_BhdDZMCkHOT89J7-izBIj0RVXSMAAbwNd6vyAPfJEWBo1LDPQclQADMdhpMiysS1WQUqZmSUSsxu70O_XrMwa2G7-SAkhLup5_3pB1E8mrseG-EcWOu/s1600/untitled-0291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLawV0HW5v8gVILYUJ5vy1QPou_BhdDZMCkHOT89J7-izBIj0RVXSMAAbwNd6vyAPfJEWBo1LDPQclQADMdhpMiysS1WQUqZmSUSsxu70O_XrMwa2G7-SAkhLup5_3pB1E8mrseG-EcWOu/s1600/untitled-0291.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking on water at Seven Sisters.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir-x5r7btVMTRL9tMOf0mqQiO9YmG229vT4B631qaarL_-vwKzMgFnujo0t1oehA_ft6-EdR_A1aRoC4_arIw1aatWEj7yKwaSe0siktZ4YIVPIYuC1yOZH8pk36hw1yc946I28pt7G6Sd/s1600/untitled-0088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir-x5r7btVMTRL9tMOf0mqQiO9YmG229vT4B631qaarL_-vwKzMgFnujo0t1oehA_ft6-EdR_A1aRoC4_arIw1aatWEj7yKwaSe0siktZ4YIVPIYuC1yOZH8pk36hw1yc946I28pt7G6Sd/s1600/untitled-0088.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More water walking on the Ichetucknee.</td></tr>
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As for recent adventures, Greg and I have been walking on water, exploring the Chaz and the Ichetucknee on our new inflatable standup paddle boards. I've been spending an equal amount of time in the caves (and much more time reading/on the computer/in classes) and am excited to share a cave diving story via a short video very soon.<br />
<br />
Anyway, despite the alarming water headlines that have been dominating the news, from the opposite coast in California to right here in Florida, there is still a lot of beauty to cherish. Even if it is beauty in the breakdown. Realizing that there is still so much left that is worth protecting (and much more to explore!) gives us an even greater reason to seriously think about how our everyday actions affect our precious water. And of course the best place to reflect on these ideas is to dive in and experience the undeniable joy and connection we feel when we are embraced by blue...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyh8m20_c76VFl9Em4zlEkpmpYDNjyfT8I_z4BoXjnOmj7K6CpfH89sN1HHPZrh495Mr6OUbux67vddYvh1g2dKFRyHIWsbW2uv9RRVwpxhNckelVwEgb4WCZ5KRR-FzwsbfzrWb3ek2EF/s1600/untitled-0375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyh8m20_c76VFl9Em4zlEkpmpYDNjyfT8I_z4BoXjnOmj7K6CpfH89sN1HHPZrh495Mr6OUbux67vddYvh1g2dKFRyHIWsbW2uv9RRVwpxhNckelVwEgb4WCZ5KRR-FzwsbfzrWb3ek2EF/s1600/untitled-0375.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy World Water Day! </td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358278082698151306noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3084404884161311641.post-69378326728108833912015-02-19T16:32:00.002-05:002015-02-19T16:33:49.948-05:00Guest blog post for UF PIE Center: Survey shows disconnect between water research, public<div id="fb-root">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358278082698151306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3084404884161311641.post-59647141276679187942015-01-25T15:02:00.001-05:002015-01-25T15:09:17.001-05:00How to hide from the rainThe sky sounded hungry. <o:p></o:p><br />
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A few half-hearted grumbles warned of thunder somewhere in the distance, but we were safe and ready to escape the rain. As if by magic, the dreary, grey sky gave way to blue, but the rain did not subside. Out of reach of the raindrops, I slowly submerged, feeling the first trickle of chilly spring water sneak through the zipper onto the back of my neck, sending chills down my spine.</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTS5FXJnuGvHRJhOXlywBQUtBX1zYDbt_F9lbG-mXc9HAP23mF2V0ixsYXGm0sLSB1hU3JtPAol1UC9B2cAXU16GguMjqVd1uuiBwc_9OKbiflOrYI_W1e8dpygQrCy4KyaMaz1I9AIU4F/s1600/mainbasin.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></div>
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The empty spring basin is reminiscent of a distant, watery
planet in another galaxy. Bare limestone and fallen logs create a far away
feeling as the sound of escaping bubbles fills my ears. In the empty silence
between the each breath, I can barely make out the swishing sound of the
raindrops in the dancing, shimmering sky overhead. Raindrops are plunging
towards me, but they cannot reach me as my watery world wraps me up like a
blanket.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibCGn4aaKhTL-VYCZ_qLsomN7b0kk1uPF_CbO3FmONpO894-WAIhPPoLL3pELAm9bnf4yKotTVywXYwrBVWEZJThHQEoaHKn4oaauatlm3Z3Dm3Xggi25-YDV_Lg6LDgpJU8h-zdnDvDWw/s1600/whenitrains.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></div>
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I leave the dancing sky to enter the cavern, where the sky turns
to limestone rock. Bubbles escaping to the surface are trapped in what appear
to be upside down, reflective lakes. They create the illusion that the surface
is not too far away. Which way is up?</div>
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<a href="https://instagram.com/p/yQvoZ0mrLM/" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_top">#reflections in my favorite underwater world ✌️💙💧#Waterlust #bluemind #cavediving #cavedivergirl #underwater #aquifer #springaday #mermaidlife #Illusions #ikelite</a></div>
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A photo posted by Jenny Adler (@jmadler) on <time datetime="2015-01-25T03:20:47+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Jan 24, 2015 at 7:20pm PST</time></div>
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The dim light from the two openings to the cavern creates an
evening ambiance. All of a sudden it feels like dusk, and there is just enough
light to drift towards the back of the cavern with a few effortless fin kicks. I peer over the drop-off to see Harry gliding 30 feet below. He is a dark
shadow hovering near the grate, moving small lights around to paint the once-black
walls with vibrant shades of greens, blues, and yellows. There appear to be
fireflies at the back of the cavern as he moves around the small lights to set
up the shot. But with the flick of a switch, it’s no longer nighttime in the
cavern – it’s as if the sun has just risen. The whole back wall is illuminated
and the cavern comes alive.<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNd8be2WCWz-DTnlcbPSCM3cnehGchZGgmtGb9ifIqfWpPNTS-y92e-_rK0PAkvOpt6lgq_7RXP_RFpPK20o0FEo8j-HPOyzkTx4A6HjIMC9l-892RA77kTidO7bXC_HpRF2Aeb4hrEXo4/s1600/cavernalllitup.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></div>
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We move the lights to another part of the cavern where the reflective pools on the ceiling act as mirrors. A back corner of the cavern that was hidden in the black abyss is now full of illusions and brilliant blues.<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW1opEezKEn0ZPqaNNCq4Y37a8NIckj0Pcsi7TrvMi5v-6Oi5atCkoEBxn0T-IrgiWxjGLbzEuUyxLi2OCwDMHNJGZoLWF-3PlWMjQIxuBaXsjkd7_WxfXq9G-5p4ujJxYxHTQDtAMoIrk/s1600/harryreflection.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></div>
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And as we turn off the lights and make our way
towards the entrance, it once again appears to be the middle of the night. The
driving rain can easily be mistaken for one of the most beautiful arrays of
stars I have ever seen, twinkling in a moonlit sky.<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxtC-pEhQcCB1B8Tv4i0cyAaR1qeJVX4x4i8IQl9luXAB8WTG0onWMIv5k_n6JCXe4IZYpqLCuUmtOnI2uucAJ8GS4lmOUGxj-V0z_8Jm3bsMuaCWVx3h98x8S73HqGjC1KTKNsG6L_GWj/s1600/starrynight2.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX0KP2gb-28e_XkDvRiaJGgt86ifROS3A-5HqN5cMby3FNm_AUPK2kmn9Y1eSKf1gU-MGOWChHm0ZdUPinCpnfY77LRlUWMakrt2O7A2eyQVKYeDo77edRFtwuvzBBgO1YQqLTIdAE3rzl/s1600/starrynight.jpg" height="241" width="400" /></div>
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But when we surface, the sky
is again grey and although the sun has not set, it is invisible, along with
the stars that glowed in the sky only moments ago.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNRDm7jajO6iqxN4g2kPny0EmwG3hfMkCHbFjhl2hQCRFK2ow8WlcGJWYtrBYFKxti1zbExnKx7rYyHQHrS1lcCyIVnJ_gEO8R8-9PNci35mGhRGRrKqccB39NrqbZiKWYcThwQpJ8ZLzj/s1600/intheskyrain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNRDm7jajO6iqxN4g2kPny0EmwG3hfMkCHbFjhl2hQCRFK2ow8WlcGJWYtrBYFKxti1zbExnKx7rYyHQHrS1lcCyIVnJ_gEO8R8-9PNci35mGhRGRrKqccB39NrqbZiKWYcThwQpJ8ZLzj/s1600/intheskyrain.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beacon of hope for our springs?</td></tr>
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Photos from our dive: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.788543471232336.1073741826.329258423827512&type=1" target="_blank">"To escape the rain..." by Jennifer Adler Photography</a><br />
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This unforgettable afternoon of diving in the rain was absolutely gorgeous, but midway through writing this post, I shared a few of my photos on Ginnie Spring's Facebook page and found this historic photo. One of the biggest fears held by the people who experienced the springs in their former glory (and even people who can see some of the more pristine springs today) is that future generations will not understand or get to appreciate what a healthy spring is supposed to look like. (In fact, some people would argue it's already too late and that all springs have degraded). This idea is embraced in biology and ecology as "shifting baselines." These two photos, 44 years apart, will give you an idea of what I mean...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPhYnh-PPLFjZejqUIm7QoIyNhU2YW7WNDiA1sclCig6xcVEIRkcLuiLiE0cwQ3BQ1YhyphenhyphenihGj5vznMqjWJvOLgoEnS4Xzg_OZcXWiy1-NR1CXZMpB86V3fVoWJrjJnju5Gmk1MsXf60ntW/s1600/Ginnie1971GregFight2.jpg" height="320" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="216" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The entrance to the Ginnie Ballroom in 1971 - photo by Greg Fight. Ginnie Springs posted this on their Facebook page for "Flashback Friday" on 1/22/15.</td></tr>
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...and 44 years later, the white box in the photo below, once filled with lush, green, native submerged aquatic vegetation, is a gorgeous blue void with no trace of the past:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgARbsnrO8_at3IImTK2W0D_ACo9hag0cT-TbVf6GXPc2_nJDrQsPNg6XlvI91h1aiSXHcdmSP3mU9OtxWKeRd8D66l3waBkt-a-0BIL_6HcaSj5eIpInL9aYuWh9M-rDYIhGe3vhXHRXEK/s1600/cavernwithsquare.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgARbsnrO8_at3IImTK2W0D_ACo9hag0cT-TbVf6GXPc2_nJDrQsPNg6XlvI91h1aiSXHcdmSP3mU9OtxWKeRd8D66l3waBkt-a-0BIL_6HcaSj5eIpInL9aYuWh9M-rDYIhGe3vhXHRXEK/s1600/cavernwithsquare.jpg" height="258" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The entrance to the Ginnie Ballroom in January 2015. The white box is the approximate location of the 1971 photo by Greg Fight. It's safe to say I didn't miss the vegetation by cropping my photo...<br />
Is it too late to save our springs? And what is this saying about our groundwater (aka drinking water supply)?</td></tr>
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<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358278082698151306noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3084404884161311641.post-77831829816654360432014-12-01T22:41:00.000-05:002014-12-01T22:41:31.301-05:00Somewhere over the rainbow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It was the coldest boiling water I had ever felt. One hundred and forty degrees colder, to be exact. The water boiled like witches brew in a giant cauldron as I hovered overhead, confused by the sight of boiling juxtaposed with the water that surrounded me like an icy blue blanket.</div>
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<a href="https://instagram.com/p/vzAbb3GrCw/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_top">A photo posted by Jenny Adler (@jmadler)</a> on <time datetime="2014-11-24T21:07:33+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Nov 11, 2014 at 1:07pm PST</time></div>
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Can you guess where I am? I am dressed in a suit and feel as though I’m flying, yet I’m not in outer space. Here, sunfish can fly and sand ripples appear to reflect overhead, as the wind etches patterns in the sky. It feels as though I’m on another planet, lost in a deep, blue slumber.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1jRyNEy10TZFG-GPk-CxpuaSGveYV5trohnylmfvhT8incYcJjLYrb4AwCJIuzRLeiF1mvn8vbKYJPstbpqCRrGui8L5AlbFgpaIVnuj-6pw98R9QEX2tKCs_lgzrizttQvCIXVndCgoH/s1600/DSC_0263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1jRyNEy10TZFG-GPk-CxpuaSGveYV5trohnylmfvhT8incYcJjLYrb4AwCJIuzRLeiF1mvn8vbKYJPstbpqCRrGui8L5AlbFgpaIVnuj-6pw98R9QEX2tKCs_lgzrizttQvCIXVndCgoH/s1600/DSC_0263.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://instagram.com/p/vyM08EmrAG/" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_top">Wind and sand created beautiful #textures above and below 💦 #Illusions #underwater #blackandwhite #reflections #rainbowsprings #springaday #relaxing</a></div>
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A photo posted by Jenny Adler (@jmadler) on <time datetime="2014-11-24T13:36:39+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Nov 11, 2014 at 5:36am PST</time></div>
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The need for air pulls me to the surface, reminding me that
I am not dreaming. I am in fact on earth, and despite how crazy it sounds, it
would also be accurate to say that I’m somewhere over the Rainbow. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Over Rainbow Springs, that is. <o:p></o:p></div>
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But for an hour, I let reality blend with dreams. As they
become one in the same, we soar with the shad and explore the 72-degree boiling
water that animates the sandy bottom. Water re-emerges from its underground
lair, perhaps to start its journey back towards the sea, while drops careen
from above, joining the journey. <o:p></o:p></div>
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We are in the middle where the waters meet. We play in the
aquarium-like world, and when the boiling water becomes too cold to bear, we
hesitantly morph from mermaids to mere mortals.</div>
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<a href="https://instagram.com/p/vuc6T0GrPd/" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_top">#mermaid invasion ✌️💙💧 #happyplace #mermaidlife #springaday #splash #waterlust #rainbowsprings #Florida</a></div>
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A photo posted by Jenny Adler (@jmadler) on <time datetime="2014-11-23T02:40:14+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Nov 11, 2014 at 6:40pm PST</time></div>
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<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358278082698151306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3084404884161311641.post-36983235918875101832014-11-30T17:25:00.000-05:002014-11-30T17:25:00.529-05:00Another IllusionThanks to David, I'm officially on Google maps! While my Illusions exhibit was on display at Santa Fe College last month, David worked his photo magic and made a 360 degree virtual tour of the exhibit that is now publicly viewable on Google.<br />
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<a href="https://instagram.com/p/uvE1BumrN4/" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_top">Sneak peak of @divindave working some magic at the #Illusions exhibit - stay tuned!! So excited to see the final product @tridentglobalimaging 💙 And super excited that @thehammer49er could make it amidst his Olympic campaign world travels 🇺🇸 #Waterlust #art #flsprings #nikon</a></div>
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A photo posted by Jenny Adler (@jmadler) on <time datetime="2014-10-29T11:57:39+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Oct 10, 2014 at 4:57am PDT</time></div>
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So if you didn't get a chance to check it out in person, click the photo below to take a 'walk' around!<br />
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<a href="http://goo.gl/oSjVZx" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxlSK_Qyt_8wYZdT_aGzxolQf4Y61-LgYuPbZ0nWqJ05USmgjhUyaj4h5ig0EuJrDklRRet0GHp3rT6yv8nOLqlx0ert_ERDaOjQzw7dATY6FJJDKHnv7ssip8tVEp_nRKo7xVNIUOlfu/s1600/jenny's%2Bsprings%2Bart%2Bshow%2Bon%2BMaps.jpg" height="345" width="640" /></a></div>
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Also, David and his company <a href="http://tridentglobalimaging.com/welcome.html" target="_blank">Trident Global Imaging</a> have some other amazing photospheres <i>in</i> the springs, including the natural well at Silver Glen and the swim area at Rainbow Spring state park. Check out <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/views/profile/112397505970770096284?gl=us&pv=1&tab=1" target="_blank">his google page</a> to explore his awesome work!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358278082698151306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3084404884161311641.post-20296924764309893042014-11-17T08:30:00.000-05:002014-11-17T08:37:01.460-05:00Spreading the springs love<div id="fb-root">
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November is the forgotten month - it does have Thanksgiving, but it's squished between Halloween and Christmas, and every year, the canned cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, and cornbread mix display at the grocery store seems to shrink as it's encroached upon by stuffed Santas, Christmas lights, and candy canes. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb-FBnuJT-1_74BFBhya6Jb7Eymhi9ey-A1YBJ6VKUc24bqTh2WKTCLhk-fxkGVfjGC9nna469QCaXUFsIxXx09XCZcE0R8d2OoxFPln6ybkEXUBsVJ762goTEUGYDwq6EQgYrhI-3NJnh/s1600/IMG_5755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb-FBnuJT-1_74BFBhya6Jb7Eymhi9ey-A1YBJ6VKUc24bqTh2WKTCLhk-fxkGVfjGC9nna469QCaXUFsIxXx09XCZcE0R8d2OoxFPln6ybkEXUBsVJ762goTEUGYDwq6EQgYrhI-3NJnh/s1600/IMG_5755.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I shared this Christmas manatee last year after an awesome early-morning adventure with Bird's Underwater. November is "Manatee Awareness Month," so I'm reminding you with this baby Santa manatee. But don't be fooled (by this or the grocery store displays) - it's still November and Thanksgiving hasn't happened yet... there are still many springs adventures left before Christmas!</td></tr>
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Don't get me wrong - I love Christmas and I'm definitely guilty of wishing away the end of November ... Christmasy things become acceptable on December 1st and classes end soon thereafter. But this year, November has been exciting and full of springs! The late fall and early winter months usually mark the beginning of our "spring season" (aka springs-hopping during the non-tourist season), and this November has included the added excitement of my springs photos being shared with the diving community via <a href="http://www.scubaba.com/about/posts/jen-adler.php" target="_blank">Scubaba's "Photographer of the Month" series</a>. A huge thank you and shoutout to them and SeaLife Underwater Cameras for sponsoring the series... it has been so much fun to re-live the adventure that goes along with each photo as they share one photo per day through their social media outlets. You can find Scubaba on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Scubabacom" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="http://instagram.com/scubaba_com" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://plus.google.com/+Scubaba/posts?hl=en" target="_blank">g+</a>, and <a href="https://twitter.com/scubaba_com" target="_blank">Twitter</a> - check them out to book a dive vacation and/or see 13 more of my springs photos posted for the rest of the month. I hope that this helps, even if it's just a tiny bit, raise awareness about Florida's springs and bring these amazing and threatened ecosystems into people's minds (and hearts) :)<br />
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Check out <a href="http://www.scubaba.com/about/posts/jen-adler.php" target="_blank">Scubaba's blog for the full interview</a> :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnj5IsU68NtFWm49vcLkKmIgdogDwEfJIDRr-zr81l0OZOpVGsCzQ4NPJX1aIyCuFuUVGGNnzAkjgFBJQkH3CSGRc1ULY_zxUsn01eZhqZlawBbY1TtMVetnvMQLws7QRctv-q9O3NTnYM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-17+at+8.00.41+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnj5IsU68NtFWm49vcLkKmIgdogDwEfJIDRr-zr81l0OZOpVGsCzQ4NPJX1aIyCuFuUVGGNnzAkjgFBJQkH3CSGRc1ULY_zxUsn01eZhqZlawBbY1TtMVetnvMQLws7QRctv-q9O3NTnYM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-17+at+8.00.41+AM.png" height="640" width="580" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEtSr29rsHwwUisyl1upcjASUYtER2Ii-dCQuqJXdqjzbDUIMBZ9_SvDFi6m5plYPS2QwJ9CMWkDUvsF4UDuDvIb12ws6obi2cgH2NVCN1m92svi5lJ6YsbdzKpZcAxVfM5Tb_h7hKgl92/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-17+at+8.00.53+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEtSr29rsHwwUisyl1upcjASUYtER2Ii-dCQuqJXdqjzbDUIMBZ9_SvDFi6m5plYPS2QwJ9CMWkDUvsF4UDuDvIb12ws6obi2cgH2NVCN1m92svi5lJ6YsbdzKpZcAxVfM5Tb_h7hKgl92/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-17+at+8.00.53+AM.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thank you so much for the kind words, Scubaba! And thank you for featuring the beautiful springs - I feel lucky to have such gorgeous playgrounds in my backyard. Get out and enjoy the springs, Floridians!!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358278082698151306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3084404884161311641.post-76892295225671637862014-11-02T15:59:00.000-05:002014-11-03T08:24:34.974-05:00ChillsHalloween is a time for ghosts, ghouls, scares, and screams, and although I'm easily frightened by guts and gore, the chills I had running down my spine the morning after Halloween were not from fright.<br />
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Hours after dozens of trick-or-treaters braved the chilly nighttime temperatures in their little costumes, the windows rattled and the wind whipped through the trees. Maybe the night was haunted, but a better guess is that chillier temperatures and a cold front are finally hitting north Florida. This is the time of year when us 'winter warriors' rise early from under the cozy covers and speed to the springs, only to find we have the entire parking lot to ourselves. When it's 47 and windy, apparently there is no competition for parking spots or a refreshing spring swim...<br />
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But winter is the perfect time to take a dip in the steaming water. Yesterday the water temperature was almost 30 degrees warmer than the air, so it's surprising more people <i>don't </i>flock to the springs during the cooler months. We've been waiting all year for this... springs season is just getting started.<br />
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A photo posted by Jenny Adler (@jmadler) on <time datetime="2014-11-01T18:18:31+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Nov 11, 2014 at 11:18am PDT</time></div>
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Bundled in jackets and sweatpants, we explored a bit above water first, fooling ourselves into thinking it would somehow warm up a few degrees before we submerged. We checked out Catfish Hotel and watched the duckweed slowly swirl at the surface of the sinkhole, creating mesmerizing patterns that we examined like cloud formations in the sky.<br />
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Thinking warm thoughts, we finally made the switch, trading cozy clothes for suits (wetsuits or swim suits, depending on who you're talking to in our group...). Touching our toes to the water, it was surprisingly warm compared to the air, but our already-goosbumped skin was not very happy about being wet. But the water was calling, so we took the plunge.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiccdrciuEh7CtqEusLm389a286yvhIWxFxClVxYWk_RQ0ymFg-xxwxE8bCitKSLxKVuTF6t7RJhyphenhyphenlrkp2OtFAcarLHFiCd2014oRCdJL5S_9fxLBmJ72di5aI8f8Qcmgl0I7idEmOfleTw/s1600/DSC_0626.JPG" height="266" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Algae and a lone sunfish shine in the morning sunlight.</td></tr>
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The visibility in the spring has significantly decreased since I was here with Harry and a group of open water students 3 months ago. At that time, the spring had just re-emerged from a flood - tannic river water had covered the spring vent and entire basin and cut off sunlight for photosynthesis for long enough to kill off most of the benthic algae. The karst formations were, for a short while, free from flowing green and brown algae. But yesterday the carpet was back and as thick as ever, swirling in the strong flow of the vent below.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJRoRCGPd-uAv0YcZspEwsRb6QNSnwJAwjkK_TiVcE1GW7jJGvNgiODxcCwnb2hKzF0JX1udBEwa9Db6HShXLH4qAGfEO5D4P6EdNQ-tUpwHPGFTWwNcetgxJEgIMmDFXPJ7MOjsSv4V76/s1600/irOxk.jpeg" height="213" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As I glided out the spring run, I drifted with long ribbons of algae. The green and brown colors took over, and to add to the eerie feeling, I swear I saw a lion - do you see the face??</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVzVgkEfyW7iXj03wzFzWSdK5ZvFyBLkMmqSBIdl39NTeqAH4LGrlnzJbShcFperU9h9jGtpkOr2SQ5MJAkUkqpMgHYQ4RUmkAPA7Y5v19dXRHLuvmKLW73QzkrKEUbhy2OFb9VfMdwYhb/s1600/Rq0Wp.jpeg" height="213" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reflections form a ceiling overhead and rays of light illuminate the algae-filled basin and stairs.</td></tr>
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It goes without saying that crystal clear water is gorgeous - and I will admit, it's still my favorite - for both aesthetic and ecosystem health-related reasons. But there is also something eerie and beautiful about water that has less-than-perfect visibility. Perhaps it was fitting for the Halloween spirit and also a little reminder that there is often beauty in the breakdown.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC4dcleUdo8VwXJXjb0ChpK_z20FX-SUzBg4beZi5uTv05jkkV4J1_3Ml6-JLpcttzhL2CRgXB3mKwfzHs_qTtFDUE0nfOoPQhP8rUg-e0CnSlsWunxvKs-iijjLLIPEeyEaOB5AzO7h-C/s1600/DSC_0629.JPG" height="213" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunlight beams down light spotlights as I gaze into the depths of the spring.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyUCFln5ECL4XgO4X_52i8Mj7aI4jRUiK1rP8Xsv60CJy-bKYbRzhj9Vp27vhfu5bw9uPTPjsq9X-ERkSt4QLitNhZEVFR5QSR4oJyhbiG9S-A7xtgjcvH6wckp-wT4mBi3zrxcnNa2WE8/s1600/WyoQs.jpeg" height="266" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bass loom in the algae-filled shadows in the shallows along the edges of the spring run.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcMlqc_1oDNBHKtUP0jcMbg48cAQTKIaQnOIbQJOvOpunIvdqXZXavCo0EIrLf-jAbEQeKIv-A7QJHY0idLAfdGJcLEYWoz5-ZYOTGh6Cwo4AFL_oYxU99uNOQj13xHwXCcG2nRJiJR3P1/s1600/ToY8p.jpeg" height="213" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking up or down?</td></tr>
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Shivering on the inside and hands frozen to the camera, we made the last minute decision to sprint over to Catfish Hotel. By the time, we reached the sinkhole, the once-warmish water in our wetsuits had turned cold and the wind not-so-subtly reminded us of its presence... but I simply couldn't give up a chance to take photos in the magical, duckweed-covered sinkhole.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT2Wwy6BbUdFWOMRKab9OLSC8fK71GfJX423O9RosRazP38-V0_f0zdupjno3aKTGKp0M9gawt3rQb4Op0935Ur3uKLkBM7eiquknsusXlRs0teOvmivvWRXmdyDTZVy4KdLnBgJ0MnkO-/s1600/c2NTu.jpeg" height="266" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the surface, it almost looks like a grassy field. But once you're under the green, you realize that it's so much more.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh91iu655FQ3HCwtG2K7GNOXnpb_tCrzBftkXq4do71LXoIKZrcIlZs7NKHaAH7a2ztfDfvuGfEhPtKrxiazyDaPMdjxrw3OBJFTOfDqdZvggOaGsrDWOHKz8MVUExutbZGrqPRRwR5nZUA/s1600/DSC_0762.JPG" height="213" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fall in the springs.<br />Although it looks like a slimy algae from a distance, <a href="http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/node/226" target="_blank">duckweed</a> is actually a tiny flowering plant - it's not slimy at all! (Although it does get very easily caught in your hair, stuck on your wetsuit, etc.) It is a subfamily (<i>Lemnoideae</i>) of the aroid family (<i>Araceae</i>) - there are several different genera of duckweed found in Florida, but <i>Lemna </i>is one of the most common. A few different species can live together and can be difficult to tell apart - some species that look practically identical to native species are actually invasive in Florida. No matter what species is present, it creates amazing scenery from below the surface as islands of duckweed swirl and migrate at the surface.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIw3gI9RlWqS1WzHxn4tNczcT3zgxtjuPldcCSmMjoH-keEWRtLWE0KxPQkrebhO4mlrRMp3HjYvIiEK4NSN3VHZagqsQVAd-PN99onFB99eu8nof8LfgJETwknGtxLwmg-Mp1_AqXP6XN/s1600/DSC_0773.JPG" height="213" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greg playing with his GoPro in the sunlight and duckweed-filled waters. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhMVmqdqdzRYUy0G9jE2UeoFhCpFlrjhyphenhyphenSE4OLEJ1yruLyAAzP3OpsO284STPv8l5zA3eLUY9Kfg28ArSR2sYxlURG2tXSSiijP-fFmdZzm4jTqr2_0HCpBoY2hoHS77heJdymUbObNiJ/s1600/Ox4lU.jpeg" height="425" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Searching for the sky.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcmrVLj9v_pBEQLz0x1HaxelqiF99pPTrPs9s7NGQ2X01_Eh353L-KTHbmPFepnWD6ec8atxFbG-lJoyhkxzv96qmaAYFAT7JadUH-ImNis50x12ea4zGfnRRwfpIdvp-WJyFrF4ByqjW9/s1600/RKdvq.jpeg" height="320" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="213" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking the plunge.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXisYqKnRPz6zSWoq182Gmz5KgR-Ch0oUsdtWX_2P4qfOg1yGktc50J0MZLAj36MlI_Ya6hFY7boOEkJWCk7ide1G8BFZI500UBwnVrDYSvrlkNQPbcJj6HI7J1-r9pB8gwNvvFZpZ2LUd/s1600/DSC_0843.jpg" height="213" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eyeing the exit - has the above water world disappeared?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW6JJA44KnuJ_eA_dQHDIYEMvWBXlbxSmAle-aJ6D9CBGLXheRt8gpm0-63gqE8kD5TCQuXpuf0w6i2IMJqNaOJOSqFREyQwKarSfpF0JebIAm64ZlxHEAFChx2eroIdad8of7dmmGFNt0/s1600/DSC_0787.JPG" height="425" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning light.</td></tr>
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So don't be afraid to venture beneath the surface - even if it appears to be covered in a thin layer of green. What lies beneath will surprise you and surpass all of your wildest dreams. As you lay cozy in bed on Saturday morning in north Florida, just remember what you now know lies nestled in the woods not far from your doorstep.<div>
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If you're interested in a winter springs adventure, <a href="http://instagram.com/go_native_adventures" target="_blank">Go Native Adventures</a> is hosting "Freedive SpringFest2014" at Troy Spring on December 6 - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/342618849231937/" target="_blank">check out their page for details</a>... I will be the event photographer and am excited to meet many new winter springs-hopping, freediving friends - hope to see you there!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358278082698151306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3084404884161311641.post-152591433408817912014-10-30T21:39:00.002-04:002014-10-30T21:39:40.937-04:00Illusions AboundThe mild Florida fall weather resembles an endless New England summer. But as gorgeous weather continues to play tricks on my mind, pumpkin-flavored-everything and Halloween candy galore remind me that it's just an illusion, and October has in fact come to a close. Illusions abounded throughout the month of October, but it wasn't only because of the beautiful weather.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWGvYmj3TllksXqhJD0oru_stvE62A0fSEqU9-aDMSnJNqHMoq3P2UYKm6THJo5rCiocW-PettFWL0-_UwBDLKvrhBomW3-g47QSF3-pYuXRull0ywjylbUA9oBPf7yBmrZWgXeoK_jvx_/s1600/Today+at+Santa+Fe+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWGvYmj3TllksXqhJD0oru_stvE62A0fSEqU9-aDMSnJNqHMoq3P2UYKm6THJo5rCiocW-PettFWL0-_UwBDLKvrhBomW3-g47QSF3-pYuXRull0ywjylbUA9oBPf7yBmrZWgXeoK_jvx_/s1600/Today+at+Santa+Fe+2.png" height="233" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">The exhibit was featured on the Santa Fe website - use <a href="http://news.sfcollege.edu/2014/10/09/jenny-adler-illusions/" target="_blank">this link</a> to see the full article.</td></tr>
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My first photography exhibit, titled <i>Illusions</i>, was on display at the Santa Fe College President's Hall gallery for the month of October. It was made up of 27 photographs (framed prints, canvases, and wooden photo boards) and associated text panels that blended science and storytelling. Each panel also included QR codes that linked to the full blog posts where I had originally written about each photo at some point over the past 3 years. The goal of the exhibit was to inspire in others a true appreciation for our beautiful, but fragile and endangered, spring ecosystems. Photography is an avenue for me to share both the magic and misery of Florida's springs, and it allows me to connect and communicate with people in ways that are not possible using science alone.<br />
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The idea for the theme of the show was originally inspired by what my favorite author Cynthia Barnett calls the "illusion of water abundance." I first drew the parallel between my reflective springs photos and Barnett's illusion in my <a href="http://magnitude1.blogspot.com/2014/03/illusions.html" target="_blank">Illusions blog post</a> in March 2014; the introduction text panel for the exhibit summarizes the "illusions" story:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1yyLGtOvGAwfGVTCT-i3NMRAhrXg3sq1Fm3a4G60ekKoEUXZ1UD0RQH-cASmw9cikwOMLVi23uOQHWa6CI1hMGlGpvMb1U-VBZA9YWzWNRpMEeOrDcbgYr_g0HhpraPFBj_TAr5y56rju/s1600/Illusions+panel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1yyLGtOvGAwfGVTCT-i3NMRAhrXg3sq1Fm3a4G60ekKoEUXZ1UD0RQH-cASmw9cikwOMLVi23uOQHWa6CI1hMGlGpvMb1U-VBZA9YWzWNRpMEeOrDcbgYr_g0HhpraPFBj_TAr5y56rju/s1600/Illusions+panel.jpg" height="400" width="326" /></a></div>
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This post, and Cynthia's beautiful words, came to life when the exhibit went up on October 6th. And today, the last day of the exhibit, the UF College of Journalism officially announced that Cynthia Barnett will be joining the school as a visiting professor. I am beyond excited to take her Environmental Journalism class in the spring and have the opportunity to work with someone who has been such a huge inspiration for me. The J-School and UF students are incredibly lucky to have her!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6dq_MBTarq5u8ms7NqimFi1ddX8b2L9Cg-k7TW_cCPrb6vebQfUf4Sto2__UbMyS44VHDiYCbU9q-STMjYOwm4kRq0s7ErI5NuBRU1Gc284b4RS-hFUSjN7DVASHZ0l5N4upIvTlBy6Z0/s1600/cynthiaatopening.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6dq_MBTarq5u8ms7NqimFi1ddX8b2L9Cg-k7TW_cCPrb6vebQfUf4Sto2__UbMyS44VHDiYCbU9q-STMjYOwm4kRq0s7ErI5NuBRU1Gc284b4RS-hFUSjN7DVASHZ0l5N4upIvTlBy6Z0/s1600/cynthiaatopening.jpg" height="320" width="237" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Talking to Cynthia Barnett and her husband Aaron at the opening. I highly recommend <a href="http://www.cynthiabarnett.net/book.html" target="_blank">her two water books (<i>Mirage</i> and <i>Blue Revolution</i>)</a> - the <i>New York Times</i> and <i>Tampa Bay Times</i> recommend them too ;) Cynthia has been a huge inspiration for me and has taught us all so much about Florida's water and how we can move forward with a new water ethic. Can't wait for her book about rain to be released in April 2015! </td></tr>
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Putting the exhibit together was a lot of fun - and also much more work than I anticipated. This was my first show and it ended up being an incredible learning experience as well as a great crash course in 'how to do an art show on a grad student budget.' I printed, matted and framed all 8 of the white photos myself, and besides taking many many hours, this process turned our living room into a framing gallery as it simultaneously became littered with boxes and large canvases splashed with every imaginable shade of blue.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the photos in the exhibit, before the text panels were installed. Thank you again to Santa Fe's gallery manager Kyle Novak for laying out and installing every piece! He also printed the text panels and the exhibit title, which I am standing next to on the night of the opening in the middle photo.</td></tr>
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The crew at Santa Fe was absolutely amazing to work with and made the whole process very enjoyable. The gallery manager Kyle Novak set the bar high for future shows - he answered my every question, printed the text panels and QR codes, and installed (and took down!) every piece. He also gave up a Friday night to help set up for and clean up from the gallery opening celebration - a huge thank you to Kyle! It was surreal to walk into a giant room to find the walls filled with my artwork - it was both confusing and wonderful, and it felt like diving into a dozen springs at once!<br />
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The opening was an evening that I will certainly never forget. I was completely overwhelmed by the number of people that came (about 70!). I feel so incredibly lucky to be surrounded by such a wonderful community - to my labmates, friends, family, the springs community, and everyone in between, you seriously all made me so happy and words can't express how much it means to me that you all came to show your support and celebrate the springs!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lesley and John are champions for our springs, incredible writers and artists, and are truly two of the most amazing people I have ever met - thank you both for all that you have taught me and for many fun adventures, starting with The <i>S<a href="http://springseternalproject.org/" target="_blank">prings Eternal</a> Project</i> and continuing into the future :) </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My mom and Harry take a look at the playful manatee. It was wonderful to have my parents in town for the exhibit opening and birthday weekend - they have always been my biggest cheerleaders and supporters. It was exciting that they got to meet Harry, who has basically adopted me as a granddaughter - he took me on my first springs dive, my first cavern dive, first cave dive, and got me outfitted in and comfortable in sidemount gear and continues to teach me new things about photography and diving on every single dive. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Calendars for sale on opening night. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKmqFNdWC3NvBMjb5RZYCbyRoG8Ey1LKbuEPuN2mM5uOQCd6hfA9q3E-h7Wxv1daQ7JOu_zMOk2lFVdVvMPVxMlYXtgho4WOk7BaPr87wZSVlmoEJQ00BLN4z5f-qZyl4op1VhccGKQOE_/s1600/DSC_0465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKmqFNdWC3NvBMjb5RZYCbyRoG8Ey1LKbuEPuN2mM5uOQCd6hfA9q3E-h7Wxv1daQ7JOu_zMOk2lFVdVvMPVxMlYXtgho4WOk7BaPr87wZSVlmoEJQ00BLN4z5f-qZyl4op1VhccGKQOE_/s1600/DSC_0465.JPG" height="188" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I still can't believe how many people who I really look up to came out to opening night. David and Dee, who I worked for the year before starting grad school, continue to bring endless smiles to my life and have been incredible mentors, teaching me about everything from videography, photography, and diving, to how to have a happy, optimistic outlook about life in general. Also in the background of this photo is Mike, one of the biologists I worked for at USGS when I first moved to Gainesville - he and Ken taught me everything I know about the Suwannee River and sturgeon. Mike was the first person to suggest I visit a spring and then he and Ken took me to several along the banks of the Suwannee at the end of our long days of sturgeon fishing on the tannic river.</td></tr>
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You can find more photos from the opening night <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10202896603076536.1073741879.1246290102&type=1&l=ff4e814a8b" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<br />
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I truly appreciate everyone's support and incredibly kind words. I am excited that the University of Florida (UF) Journalism School bought the 8 framed photos for their conference room and the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Science (IFAS) <a href="http://plantscienceunit.ifas.ufl.edu/index.shtml" target="_blank">conference center in Citra, Florida</a> is graciously allowing me to use their space as a rotating gallery and is also buying some larger pieces to hang permanently. If you missed the exhibit, the text panels and most of the photos will be on display again shortly!<br />
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And as a happy end to the springs story (for now!), after a few weeks without rain, the skies opened up just as I loaded the last of my exhibit photos into the car. I drove home in the downpour, dreaming of swimming in the rain and taking photos on this weekend's springs adventures.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358278082698151306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3084404884161311641.post-67414164495119909972014-10-26T20:08:00.002-04:002014-10-26T20:08:23.337-04:00Mission Blue<div style="text-align: center;">
The future of the aquifer is in our hands...</div>
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Here, I am holding a tiny piece of the Floridan aquifer - and if you live in Florida, you are too. Here in the Sunshine State, we live on top of our main supply of drinking water - it winds its way through cavernous limestone tunnels beneath our feet.<br />
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The Floridan aquifer itself is massive. It's so huge that most Floridians naively assume we couldn't <i>possibly</i> have an impact on the quantity and quality of water beneath our feet. But fresh off a viewing of the must-watch documentary <i>Mission Blue</i>, I now realize that this is <i>exactly</i> what we thought about the ocean not too long ago. The vast, blue ocean at one time seemed unchangeable.<br />
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<i>Mission Blue</i> is a documentary about the amazing life of pioneering oceanographer and ocean explorer Dr. Sylvia Earle. I actually meant to post this story a few weeks ago, but last weekend I got a lot of inspiration from fellow writers at the National Association of Science Writers conference in Columbus, Ohio. A few days chalk full of info-packed, dynamic sessions on everything from science blogging to pitching stories and writing science for children, has given me the extra spark of creative energy. Also, our badges for the conference, besides having our name and Twitter handle, asked us to write the name of our science hero. I penciled in "Sylvia Earle" on mine without hesitation, which of course reminded me of <i>Mission Blue</i>.<br />
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Anyway, her story is compelling from several perspectives - it's inspiring not only for budding marine biologists, scientists, and educators, but for women in general. She became a scientist during a time when women weren't exactly viewed as science material; I was surprised to see many of the newspaper articles and old video clips in the film that portrayed women as bikini-clad girls more likely to lay tanning on the beach. But Dr. Earle forged ahead, leading expeditions to the deepest parts of the ocean, heading the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and blazing a path for not only women scientists but all marine scientists and oceanographers. Dr. Earle is still speaking for the oceans - in the documentary, she says she spends about 300 days out of the year traveling, speaking, and sharing her unparalleled knowledge of the ocean. She is the embodiment of a smart, strong, and well-respected woman (who is often referred to as "Her Deepness"). I can only hope that little girls idolize her when they're growing up instead of the next up-and-coming Disney pop star.<br />
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The documentary is tragic yet beautiful and very compelling - basically, Dr. Earle explains how we are all tied to the ocean and why we should <i>all</i> care about the sea regardless of our proximity to the coast. She extended Aldo Leopold's land ethic and the U.S. national parks system to the ocean via "hope spots" and explains why it is extremely important to protect our oceans. The tone of the film is concerned and "doomsday" enough to get your attention but not leave you altogether depressed - she is optimistic in that she says there is still time for us to mitigate the damage we have done.<br />
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Dr. Earle concisely sums up the essence of the problem as "no blue, no green." Basically, without the ocean, we have nothing. <i>But this is directly applicable to freshwater as well.</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crystal clarity at Blue Spring, Gilchrist County, Florida. Dr. Earle's "no blue no green" applies to our aquifer and springs as well as the ocean.</td></tr>
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This "Mission Blue" needs to be applied to our groundwater, which is the water that ~90% of us in Florida rely on as a source of drinking water. It is all too often "out of sight, out of mind." Just like the surface of the ocean does not appear to be changing (and prevents people from seeing and recognizing the problem with their own eyes), we are blind to changes happening in the aquifer. But the springs are here to tell us the story - and like the algae that currently dominates many once-pristine reefs worldwide, many springs have also transitioned to an algal dominated state. Besides the negative implications for these irreplaceable ecosystems, this is also a telltale sign of problems regarding the future of Florida's water.<br />
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<span style="text-align: start;">So remember, if you live in Florida, the aquifer is in </span><i style="text-align: start;">your</i><span style="text-align: start;"> hands, </span><i style="text-align: start;">our</i><span style="text-align: start;"> hands.</span><span style="text-align: start;"> So let's protect it like our lives depend upon it... because they do.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358278082698151306noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3084404884161311641.post-69751977829788595672014-09-03T22:13:00.001-04:002014-09-03T22:13:27.000-04:00Without Words<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhipe8LXyU-lEvSLTHtg6zEpSFV4Bv6dJgKGOSaR-QFenkEdhS3wQVKlwi6zbuKUCE7BD9lIY6CVv96XKXqbVXuNls-gs9jQljFgHBu3qjUKxycqqO8H2uW2vUQluYoFKkx4i_Vd9TGGiHl/s1600/PICT1394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhipe8LXyU-lEvSLTHtg6zEpSFV4Bv6dJgKGOSaR-QFenkEdhS3wQVKlwi6zbuKUCE7BD9lIY6CVv96XKXqbVXuNls-gs9jQljFgHBu3qjUKxycqqO8H2uW2vUQluYoFKkx4i_Vd9TGGiHl/s1600/PICT1394.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a>Reading to a young child usually isn't reading at all. Most of the time, they want to look at the pictures, point at the farm animals while making <i>moo</i>, <i>cluck</i>, and <i>oink</i> noises, and curiously inquire <i>what's that?</i> when they come across an unknown creature. Cutting you off as you struggle to power through the paragraph about Farmer John and his herd of happy cows, the kid turns the page, eager for the next picture. Not much changes as children grow up - in a society with information overload, we are still scanning, skimming, and searching for what's relevant in everyday life. I'm definitely guilty of flipping through the pages of a new book to see if there are any pictures that catch my eye. Photos simply speak to us in ways that words cannot.<br />
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I love to take photos that portray the incredible beauty and magic of being submerged in a spring, but it is also important to document how they are changing over time in order to raise awareness about the periled status of these irreplaceable ecosystems. Besides their artistic and conservation purposes, photos of 20+ return visits to Gilchrist Blue Spring in just over a year serendipitously led me to document some incredible changes in the underwater world.<br />
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Over the past year, I quantified and documented the turtle "invasion" at Blue Spring in Gilchrist County, Florida. On this blog, I wrote a few posts about the turtles (see <a href="http://magnitude1.blogspot.com/2013/08/its-raining-turtles.html" target="_blank">It's Raining Turtles</a>, <a href="http://magnitude1.blogspot.com/2013/09/turtle-soup.html">Turtle Soup</a>, and <a href="http://magnitude1.blogspot.com/2014/05/turtle-party-2.html" target="_blank">Turtle Party 2</a>). With other researchers, I designed projects to (1) tag and quantify the number of turtles in the spring and the (2) quantify the amount of vegetation they ate (grazing rates). The former project was performed out under the leadership of Dr. Jerry Johnson, a turtle researcher from Santa Fe College who runs the <a href="http://santafeturtle.org/" target="_blank">Santa Fe Turtle Project</a>, while the latter was a field-based project that a fellow grad student Savanna and I did in Fall 2013.<br />
<br />We prepared a note (a short scientific article) about our vegetation study for publication in <i>Herpetological Review</i>. The note documents this unprecedented ecological phenomenon, which turned out to be the highest ever recorded density of freshwater turtles. In the note, we also quantify and report grazing rates of the freshwater turtles (Suwannee Cooters, <i>Pseudemys concinna suwanniensis</i>) and report a significant decline in hydrilla biomass (but not other types of vegetation) during the month between sampling events. Our data makes for a nice bar graph and a highly significant p-value - all exciting things for scientists... but without words and fancy graphs, what exactly does it look like when 500 turtles graze a <i>significant</i> amount of vegetation?<br /><br />I went back through my archives and found photos of Blue Spring before the turtles arrived. At that time, Blue was not blue at all - in fact, it would have been more aptly named Green Spring or Hydrilla Hole. Because I visited so frequently over the past year (mostly with Danielle and Greg), I had a time series of underwater photos visually documenting the decline in vegetation and was able to piece together a photographic version of our scientific research. This "photo science" is not quantitative, but I think it's pretty dramatic. Without words, I will let the photos speak for themselves...<div>
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<b>Naked Spring Run</b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">February 19, 2014</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">May 29, 2014</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">July 14, 2014</td></tr>
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<b>Dock at Naked Spring Run Crossing</b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">February 28, 2014</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">May 10, 2014</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">May 29, 2014</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Please visit the <a href="http://www.jenniferadlerphotography.com/photo-science.html" target="_blank">"Photo Science" Project </a>section of my photography website to explore many more areas throughout the spring! I will be adding more photos tomorrow and over the coming weeks as I edit those from more recent trips and continue to return to the same spots in the future.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358278082698151306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3084404884161311641.post-64895200334896156812014-08-25T15:30:00.005-04:002014-08-25T15:37:24.142-04:00MOOving Along<div style="text-align: center;">
What do cows and cave diving have in common? </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjykADTVYF3MA1CmeZPU8x2MZ36ktnIEpCeRECEWuUYBbJwJHPG7tOiy3buxeXBJjwzJeM1ojSNV4EuvMimCS7iA0BmQgKwkUcm3Jwn3xj7AUlx6W7JP7QdwRXNnGMmkH84AQUV_o6WYm02/s1600/DSC_0087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjykADTVYF3MA1CmeZPU8x2MZ36ktnIEpCeRECEWuUYBbJwJHPG7tOiy3buxeXBJjwzJeM1ojSNV4EuvMimCS7iA0BmQgKwkUcm3Jwn3xj7AUlx6W7JP7QdwRXNnGMmkH84AQUV_o6WYm02/s1600/DSC_0087.JPG" height="222" width="400" /></a></div>
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Traveling to almost any sinkhole or remote spring in the back country woods of north central Florida, farmland dominates the landscape. Pin-straight rows of corn sprout up along the side of the road along with bright green fields of peanuts and endless fields of watermelons. Where vegetables, fruits, and legumes aren't emerging from the ground, grassy pastures are cluttered with hundreds of cows of all shapes, sizes, and colors: spotted, black, white, brown, you name it. Most of the animals crowd a watering hole or one of the few remaining live oak trees in the wide open field, anticipating the arrival of the first few rays of morning summer sunshine that will trigger the onset of intense heat.<br />
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The majority of the hour and fifteen minute drive from Gainesville to Cave Country Dive Shop yesterday morning consisted of cows, river crossings, and towns that appear to have been forgotten many years in the past. Along the way, I crossed the Santa Fe, the Ichetucknee, and finally the great Suwannee River, a telltale sign that I was getting close to Cave Country. The big blue bridge that has the words "way down upon the Suwannee River" written in big letters marks the transition from Lafayette to Suwannee County, and as I drove across it and looked down at the dark, tea-colored water of the Suwannee, a rush of sturgeon-fishing memories flooded my mind and the excitement of exploring a new Suwannee spring woke me up like a stiff cup of morning coffee.<br />
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I met Dave and Harry at Cave Country where we signed in and got the key to the spring of the day. As if the cows dotting the endless fields on the way to the spring weren't enough, we all piled back into our cars and caravanned over to Cow Spring, nestled about 100 yards and just out of sight from the banks of the Suwannee River.<br />
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This photo shows our first view of Cow Spring. It's an interesting spot that lies quite far off the beaten path - and its hydrology is really cool too. There is no visible spring run aboveground, but underground, there are both upstream and downstream tunnels: the upstream tunnel sends you winding your way down to 109 feet, at times with your fin tips over your head and pulling against the flow while the (much shorter) downstream tunnel heads out to the Suwannee River. (Although there is no way to dive out through the underwater spring run and end up in the river because the tunnel becomes too small.) We dove the upstream section, and before I describe it, take a look for yourself... Harry shot this short video on our drift out of the cave:<br />
(Disclaimer: don't watch if you're claustrophobic!)<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10202429382276428" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzBtZXhN4FNKgMvX23nYktWBxf-YoUNQ4_wvA-LwW40D0oDR2HkHVoNMTqYWdxCQFneylJJSiifo5aa54TpyK7QyQ93-kZSKq7PKjz4lZLjIkCdLvDhGHkoroPEUaMjasKOyGkhsNQBkKJ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-08-25+at+3.35.33+PM.png" height="281" width="640" /></a></div>
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While all caves are pitch black, this cave is perhaps the darkest I have dove thus far. The walls have famous fragile clay layers and on top of the limestone rock, there is a thin black film. Despite our lights, it felt like night time. This is also the smallest cave I've ever dove. After the tight initial entrance, the passageways open up, but there are still spots that I wouldn't necessarily want to have to squeeze through using backmount. As you saw in Harry's video, this spring can have one of the highest flows - to help us get through the cave, we used a permanently installed rope that runs next to much of the main line in the cave (called the "poor man's scooter"). The flow wasn't insane, but it was certainly strong and the line really helped us pull our way through the tunnels. We dove to thirds (until the first diver goes through 1/3 of their air, so that you technically have 2x as much gas as you need to exit the cave) then turned around and rode the flow out of the cave. It was a fun and relaxing ride as we swiftly mooooved with the flow of Cow Spring, using our fins like sails on a boat headed downwind, and adjusting them ever so slightly like a rudder to weave our way through the twisted underworld until we again saw the light.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_6eVb02DvFrT7-_tCas3tz6hHqkljMrfw3ROZNTQqP3NTO_1xgSvz6N9eAk8__givyLSUKcg1ocb3awJHVPqBJ1MtGnPEgNTi2UpjZsexyakQSZFRVzH5XSxC8WiK6HUWB0qGZXrYYGvR/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-08-25+at+3.17.06+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_6eVb02DvFrT7-_tCas3tz6hHqkljMrfw3ROZNTQqP3NTO_1xgSvz6N9eAk8__givyLSUKcg1ocb3awJHVPqBJ1MtGnPEgNTi2UpjZsexyakQSZFRVzH5XSxC8WiK6HUWB0qGZXrYYGvR/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-08-25+at+3.17.06+PM.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunlight and shadows in the Cow cavern.</td></tr>
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After the dive, Dave and I walked through the woods to find where Cow Spring meets the Suwannee River - we found two breathtaking little springs, each with multiple vents. "Liquid light" is the best way to describe the brilliant blue color of the two shallow spring pools. Crystal clear water poured out of several openings in the surrounding limestone walls, tumbling its way down to the tannic Suwannee and eventually out to the sea.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358278082698151306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3084404884161311641.post-3411073100959627732014-08-18T12:23:00.004-04:002014-08-18T12:23:52.025-04:00Monday Morning Meditation<div class="MsoNormal">
As air fades to liquid, we are cradled by the crystal clarity
of spring water. </div>
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Masked ninjas fluently fly by, suspended in what appears to
be thin air. Most wave a friendly hello as they effortlessly squeeze through tight
limestone tunnels, following guidelines into the darkness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM9D-qo-edZslkoZR8bP_NKGS8dcv-MPdqSob7S5PahczVUCe9eYwWfIty5-UW8CMWR-8xEF5Awtw5r7Bfjk-3JMg1Glo53q88FEKdpUQRpLy6NhAaJ0yP56bEntnuCuY-iOWGbf_JWstZ/s1600/_DSC0288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM9D-qo-edZslkoZR8bP_NKGS8dcv-MPdqSob7S5PahczVUCe9eYwWfIty5-UW8CMWR-8xEF5Awtw5r7Bfjk-3JMg1Glo53q88FEKdpUQRpLy6NhAaJ0yP56bEntnuCuY-iOWGbf_JWstZ/s1600/_DSC0288.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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These mesmerizing tunnels extend for miles. Carved by the
greatest sculptor, their intricacies are unparalleled – tirelessly weaving its way through the passageways, water ever so slightly shapes everything in its
path - drop by drop, gallon by gallon, day by day.</div>
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We are suspended in the water that will soon appear at the downstream springs – before
it appears at the vent, it winds through the puzzle-like underworld that forms
the world’s most amazing (and perhaps most advanced) playground. It's time to play.</div>
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Pushing our way through the flow, I clutch my camera. Kick,
pull, kick pull along the left side of the wall after our initial descent into
the cave. I breathe slowly and steadily but can feel my heartbeat increasing as
I push against the invisible force that is doing its best to expel me from its
rocky home. Finally we duck out of the flow, as we arrive at the Catacombs – time to
play with light.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyTiuUXlQW6JZWq70dg6o4jjJlEQ3FL5aQ9MRKzf61yyqJ4y3Bpzx2czzz3DdFdawoIYgRvxhw3UECGe16_OLuRCio4qfIcdIGpm5IihDt_ZvIaZc1rWqcPqhut1XYqAoXGFxC8JJ9hKtL/s1600/_DSC0274.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyTiuUXlQW6JZWq70dg6o4jjJlEQ3FL5aQ9MRKzf61yyqJ4y3Bpzx2czzz3DdFdawoIYgRvxhw3UECGe16_OLuRCio4qfIcdIGpm5IihDt_ZvIaZc1rWqcPqhut1XYqAoXGFxC8JJ9hKtL/s1600/_DSC0274.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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We station the four lights like torches in the hallway of a
medieval castle. But instead of illuminating eerie stone walls and suits of tarnished armor, we illuminate the aquifer. Harry helps me set up the lights in a way that brightens the walls
in a magnificent pattern – his years of experience and thousands of dives have
taught me so much and this dive is no exception. </div>
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As I set up the camera and peer through the viewfinder, I
feel an overwhelming sense of happiness – I can feel the excitement flowing
through my veins like the water rushing through the catacombs and miles of caves that surround me. But it’s a different
type of excitement – it’s a calm, collected feeling of ultimate relaxation. It's my form of meditation.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbWypo3huPZ9Oma_ADxEYh-WPI69OOpPPqQAaiwOy9StLUOCn4-Fi9KIlQNCxe5ahmP-oOro9CMXwPLWFSwQGaGxrXJrmNuw2-tJnB74r4Go9BEhkb7BKNdDg6qvylXvDZkt3Utdd-BtqH/s1600/_DSC0358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbWypo3huPZ9Oma_ADxEYh-WPI69OOpPPqQAaiwOy9StLUOCn4-Fi9KIlQNCxe5ahmP-oOro9CMXwPLWFSwQGaGxrXJrmNuw2-tJnB74r4Go9BEhkb7BKNdDg6qvylXvDZkt3Utdd-BtqH/s1600/_DSC0358.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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It’s practically impossible to imagine that 65 feet away, there is a
rambunctious party – country music blares, monster trucks rev their engines,
and the crisp sound of a freshly opened beer accompanies laughter and singing.
It is the middle of a sweltering summer afternoon, yet as we switch off the lights, it is pitch black. Despite our apparent proximity to a raging party, the world is silent. Hidden below
your feet, we are weightless and free at an underwater disco. Reflections of
light dance to the rhythm of runaway bubbles and we swim to the sound of
silence.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJJu3SVCaBKsKlENvnNFmMjAcZbn_A0zZTbWsIX49_NTHv5Bt7R6cK1tg9uV9ySHKWdM_uhdfgxDinVIYUhO1rmOSvz2sC4vEfbE5mvFZBDZMXj8XWVlUJYRXt0vQu9qORZiODlXoT3kZ/s1600/_DSC0457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJJu3SVCaBKsKlENvnNFmMjAcZbn_A0zZTbWsIX49_NTHv5Bt7R6cK1tg9uV9ySHKWdM_uhdfgxDinVIYUhO1rmOSvz2sC4vEfbE5mvFZBDZMXj8XWVlUJYRXt0vQu9qORZiODlXoT3kZ/s1600/_DSC0457.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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Recounting this story is serving as my Monday morning meditation - as I scroll through and edit my photos, I can practically feel the crisp spring water on my face. As I fell asleep last night, I could see divers floating around behind my eyelids, suspended in a dark night sky. While the caves are beautiful and exotic, they are also incredibly dangerous without the proper training - but whether you relax and reflect by the ocean, on the river, in the springs, or in a hammock by a lake, it doesn't matter... any water is wonderful for a morning meditation.</div>
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Also, this week marks exactly three years since I packed up the Prius and drove 22 hours south to Gainesville. I planned on staying until I could find a way to move closer to the ocean. If you had asked me 5 years ago what I would be doing now, I <i>never</i> would have said cave diving or studying freshwater, only ocean diving and marine biology. Now, I wouldn't trade my freshwater world for anything and can't imagine what life would be like without the amazing people I have met and places I have been during the past 3 years - it has been an incredible adventure, thank you! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3hiw9kRbFVa-yoaasFhxCK8uPVltiM7SOCgJtoStM-_6FBDCgq8aRJBkMNTc2uPzhiZz52Sl8Z_5p0qiZ9BIa2WwfA8_TARIbJmbFe1f3T7QJ_Bekd5gcg-2ypqSl8F_633hyjPmuNxXd/s1600/_DSC0380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3hiw9kRbFVa-yoaasFhxCK8uPVltiM7SOCgJtoStM-_6FBDCgq8aRJBkMNTc2uPzhiZz52Sl8Z_5p0qiZ9BIa2WwfA8_TARIbJmbFe1f3T7QJ_Bekd5gcg-2ypqSl8F_633hyjPmuNxXd/s1600/_DSC0380.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358278082698151306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3084404884161311641.post-42906723883186864402014-06-17T16:52:00.001-04:002014-06-17T16:52:42.708-04:00Silent Springs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Pause for a second and picture water… what do you see?</div>
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Visually, water is tremendously diverse: it can be pure white
in the form of snow capping a mountain, deep blue as seen in the open ocean, or
brown like the great Mississippi. It may boast the magical azure hue of the
Caribbean or take on the brilliant oranges, reds, and pinks of the sky at dawn.
But what is perhaps the most beautiful and mesmerizing is when it simply
has no color at all - this is when it truly feels like you can fly.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioKPCYjE2W2FLULCfh2IR7o02Hemk3_T6_zwexCdZqjJ80wzRK5WZs8dv18Y9tQUIYaKx_8U_xprOtbYkVkRX6v3uxutnZ8PzqpOjtgW4WJL4lzLshJGFbA_ZcE4N9xvNUkpeGeScD0bXI/s1600/_DSC0602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioKPCYjE2W2FLULCfh2IR7o02Hemk3_T6_zwexCdZqjJ80wzRK5WZs8dv18Y9tQUIYaKx_8U_xprOtbYkVkRX6v3uxutnZ8PzqpOjtgW4WJL4lzLshJGFbA_ZcE4N9xvNUkpeGeScD0bXI/s1600/_DSC0602.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the clear water of Ichetucknee Blue Hole, you can make out the distant green treetops in the sky - it truly feels like you can fly.</td></tr>
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Water also moves in incredible ways. Salty water ebbs and flows
predictably under the influence of the moon, while rivers wander and pulse like
beating hearts as they are fed by and then starved of rain and meltwater. In the chilly poles,
water is bound as ice - seemingly motionless in its solid state but very
vulnerable to a return to its fluid form with warming. Artesian springs flow
from below while drops of rain careen from the clouds above.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS09vvGgk5BJ9I62J9YQd3wb_HknmSaImEtMCUfSiXv_hlGfvcnyhDCdWYMQBBVxgPEjF2rtaPLPPXlTgJuM1Yvt3I1wgbH0yADNzijMS6Cr7jrHeZsQGPSoywTx5gji-RHCLJ0MeEKxFJ/s1600/_DSC0023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS09vvGgk5BJ9I62J9YQd3wb_HknmSaImEtMCUfSiXv_hlGfvcnyhDCdWYMQBBVxgPEjF2rtaPLPPXlTgJuM1Yvt3I1wgbH0yADNzijMS6Cr7jrHeZsQGPSoywTx5gji-RHCLJ0MeEKxFJ/s1600/_DSC0023.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Listening to the symphony of rain while underwater is one of my <a href="http://magnitude1.blogspot.com/2014/05/turtle-party-2.html" target="_blank">favorite sounds</a>.</td></tr>
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And it is these mesmerizing movements that create an
addicting melody. A love for the ocean makes us long for the relaxing sound of
waves on the shore, and flowing water calms the anxious soul, just like the
pitter-patter of rain on a lazy Sunday afternoon. We can hear streams babble
and waterfalls roar: <b>while</b> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">water is not
silent, it has no voice</b>. When it emerges from its mysterious passageways
hidden beneath our feet, water has a story to tell. But in order to fully understand
its language, we must do much more than listen with our ears.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDiEpcFghvSyiCaqFD5g6i9M8nsDpRZDBM-XXe5nTgW9ElJ2-SXnOlT0dxVlJwL16p91ynLMp4hybcevvu6bv7C7LQp4lczCisDnefzbMWLTpmROisuxUgM19XBRHX6RFNOVaHrckqEKvQ/s1600/PICT0102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDiEpcFghvSyiCaqFD5g6i9M8nsDpRZDBM-XXe5nTgW9ElJ2-SXnOlT0dxVlJwL16p91ynLMp4hybcevvu6bv7C7LQp4lczCisDnefzbMWLTpmROisuxUgM19XBRHX6RFNOVaHrckqEKvQ/s1600/PICT0102.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Visually, we can tell a lot by looking at water. Here, clear/green spring water from Devil's Ear and Eye at Ginnie Springs mixes with tannic water from the Santa Fe River. As the sun shines through the mixing waters, it creates a beautiful reddish glow overhead.</td></tr>
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Water’s story is often visual – over time,
it may change color or begin to flow more slowly. What once fell as crystal clear
raindrops can become dark brown as it picks up tannic acids from the leaves and organic matter
surrounding a river, staining the water like tea; this is what colors the tea-brown
tannic waters of the Santa Fe and Suwannee Rivers. Clear blue lakes can turn
green when cyanobacteria bloom <span style="font-size: x-small;">(1)</span>, and crystal clear
springs can become choked with algae, as seen in Florida. While these visual
clues are both telling and compelling, water also holds fascinating messages that we
cannot see.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi771SKf9ajuQhQG543-HGmm3_KBW69yVcWItOMhZoevaL7YgD56f4UTO6W9JihBK-VxBqkvfRANZVrlEs_gkXUzXBCM1C_S-QmjFbbZSGC3C9vsHl_X4Pru5LoHgl526d_k904ZjgEWQTi/s1600/_DSC0098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi771SKf9ajuQhQG543-HGmm3_KBW69yVcWItOMhZoevaL7YgD56f4UTO6W9JihBK-VxBqkvfRANZVrlEs_gkXUzXBCM1C_S-QmjFbbZSGC3C9vsHl_X4Pru5LoHgl526d_k904ZjgEWQTi/s1600/_DSC0098.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More compelling visual clues that there is something wrong with our water. Domination by the cyanophyte <i>Lyngbya wollei</i> near the natural well at Silver Glen Spring in January 2014.</td></tr>
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Part of unlocking water’s story involves figuring out what nutrients are present. The results of lab tests run on a sample of water collected in the field can tell us how much nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium (and a whole slough of
micronutrients, metals, etc.), are present in the water (see chart below). Because water quality has been
measured at many sites throughout Florida for many years, we can compare current values to those measured in the past
and piece together a picture of how the water has been changing over time <span style="font-size: x-small;">(2)</span>.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOYn4utc3QqZVhJ_rAHc4Ex0_9kOImoUVV2EgC89PHMytuu5fpEjIdPKnKh4Erfm2f5PiwE5cecPBxG5vHwDfJvNC6ju3fqY3xmIzbjc_hv5nsTgt60dbIC4g9dKIYV8kLRwrDUndH4pyj/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-06-17+at+2.49.30+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOYn4utc3QqZVhJ_rAHc4Ex0_9kOImoUVV2EgC89PHMytuu5fpEjIdPKnKh4Erfm2f5PiwE5cecPBxG5vHwDfJvNC6ju3fqY3xmIzbjc_hv5nsTgt60dbIC4g9dKIYV8kLRwrDUndH4pyj/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-06-17+at+2.49.30+PM.png" height="338" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An example of water quality parameters that are measured in the field and in the lab (from Springs of Florida, Bulletin 66 - see the <a href="http://www.dep.state.fl.us/geology/geologictopics/springs/bulletin66.htm" target="_blank">DEP website</a> for a full copy of this document).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Another fascinating story bound up in water molecules
requires different tools to decipher. Similar to the way trees hide their age deep within the
rings of their trunks and fish hide their age in the rings of their ear bones (called “otoliths”)<span style="font-size: x-small;">(3)</span>, water
carries information that helps us unlock its approximate age. By measuring isotopes and chemical tracers,
scientists can determine water's average age, which helps them answer the question of
whether water emanating from a spring vent is rain that percolated through the ground from a storm the week before or water that is just now emerging after 50-100+ years underground. Similar techniques
allow scientists to identify sources of pollution in the water and, for example, understand whether nitrate pollution in a given spring came from fertilizer or sewage <span style="font-size: x-small;">(4)</span>.</div>
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Finally, what I personally find most fascinating is that we
can measure how a river “breathes” <span style="font-size: x-small;">(5)</span>.
Scientists are like river doctors – but instead of using a stethoscope, we use
sondes, devices capable of measuring dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, temperature,
etc. over time. Measuring DO over time, allows us to calculate gross primary productivity and (along with other values) ecosystem metabolism <span style="font-size: x-small;">(6)</span>. In addition, relatively new sensors (called SUNAs) allow us to measure nitrate levels
over time as well, which helps us better understand how nitrogen uptake may
vary depending on which plants and animals are present in a given spring
ecosystem. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCwJQgPtN9zlsJeGd2bGrP5G9A7zHPlC-e1wQ_ljuPnFD723WmH7KsAOBKi51m2UYS2Kazo3thM1Nrirb90LItiNtw6wVrxAttQveYzKHbebi0ckXT0_ZMN76EBpWd2mYPd-e-IPGCBLb3/s1600/_DSC0354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCwJQgPtN9zlsJeGd2bGrP5G9A7zHPlC-e1wQ_ljuPnFD723WmH7KsAOBKi51m2UYS2Kazo3thM1Nrirb90LItiNtw6wVrxAttQveYzKHbebi0ckXT0_ZMN76EBpWd2mYPd-e-IPGCBLb3/s1600/_DSC0354.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1yP5sYvwNOBk9-I6Pw581H2Hbe0s1UhaI4SEvVhJaYoK1BnVRE0gRTtZLNqMOO65uw1W5xpehA0Vvviw49hpoyd_Aba2fLeYa-0ixhDZi8MndufTFQZREhTikFDe7c6h0FF_sNig5aQFC/s1600/_DSC0363.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1yP5sYvwNOBk9-I6Pw581H2Hbe0s1UhaI4SEvVhJaYoK1BnVRE0gRTtZLNqMOO65uw1W5xpehA0Vvviw49hpoyd_Aba2fLeYa-0ixhDZi8MndufTFQZREhTikFDe7c6h0FF_sNig5aQFC/s1600/_DSC0363.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Top) The main spring at Gum Slough. The dark colors underwater are massive beds of algae. (Bottom) Courtney and I have been working on a project at Gum Slough since fall 2013 that combines both of our interests: ecosystem metabolism/nitrate dynamics and grazers. Our two main questions are (a.) do increased densities of grazers influence levels of gross primary production and (b.) how do metabolism and nitrate uptake vary according to the type of vegetation present in the spring?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The ability to measure dissolved oxygen, nitrates, and flow over
time has allowed scientists to demonstrate that our spring ecosystems have not been
stable over time<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>and that many are being
degraded to an algae-dominated state <span style="font-size: x-small;">(7)</span>.</div>
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(For a more comprehensive review of the science, you can watch this video that I made last semester:)</div>
<iframe src="//player.vimeo.com/video/92328352" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe> <p><a href="http://vimeo.com/92328352">Algal Proliferation in Florida's Springs</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/jmadler">Jenny Adler</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p> <p>Final project for Algae Biology and Ecology, Spring 2014. A scientific literature review of the diverse array of factors leading to algal proliferation in Florida's iconic freshwater springs. Narrated Keynote presentation (all photos and videos in this presentation are by jenniferadlerphotography.com).</p>
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In short, our springs are threatened - those who
understand the springs’ struggles and those who rely on and love water must be the voice of our springs. WE together must be the voice of our springs, because we all depend upon the same aquifer that feeds the springs. Our silent springs are crying for help, but their voice is
not being heard, and <b>ignoring their quiet
message is only making them more silent over time</b> – their once-powerful
flows are being diminished and water that used to flow swiftly through spring runs is becoming quiet as well <span style="font-size: x-small;">(8)</span>. Where
crystal clear water once told a joyful story, tinted water and algae abounds. Water
flowing from the springs today tells us a story about the present, and it
also suggests what may be in store in the future; without change, there
is no fairytale ending. But if we work together, the voice of the springs will
be loud and clear, just like the water of our springs once was.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkNiHbaJM59HdKIlzL5M7t9Xwd68WZ1nxC1O_2xDseVEQidoFnLs6AQWF8zj_P59fRnpXZNYMwws-_oNIFwu-6UdrhvXrn4hRo3KbjFTfpGSfLfcFOIa1HLitLtyE8T1hVONgr-w5lmG5k/s1600/_DSC0943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkNiHbaJM59HdKIlzL5M7t9Xwd68WZ1nxC1O_2xDseVEQidoFnLs6AQWF8zj_P59fRnpXZNYMwws-_oNIFwu-6UdrhvXrn4hRo3KbjFTfpGSfLfcFOIa1HLitLtyE8T1hVONgr-w5lmG5k/s1600/_DSC0943.JPG" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fairytale in Blue Spring, Gilchrist County. A Suwannee cooter (<i>Pseudemys concinna suwanniensis</i>) takes a breath in the endless underwater world. Where the spring meets the sky, it extends to infinity, <a href="http://magnitude1.blogspot.com/2014/03/illusions.html" target="_blank">unlike our water supply</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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(1) More information about (and pictures of) harmful cyanobacteria blooms can be found on the <a href="http://www2.epa.gov/nutrient-policy-data/cyanobacterial-harmful-algal-blooms-cyanohabs" target="_blank">EPA website</a>. Also, if you google "cyanobacteria bloom", you will see what I mean about the intense green color of the water.</div>
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(2) While nutrient levels have been increasing over time, Heffernan et al. (2010) demonstrate in the graph below that nitrate levels are not necessarily correlated with percent algal cover. For more information, see the video above - I explain more of the science background and research in the video. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkXVE2lWqRn2DLpe9KfNioCo1p60UCJdorgGDOd3pwOpIaIZFgIb8fonngVsrp-sz3Cb1ZBqyGhTQK3UQIRKWnCNksfDom3E7fM2K0gSKQdSowHUuujTPRZmoHCUXY9_-H3H1MTyOoRCw4/s1600/Figure+1+-Heffernan+et+al+2010+nitrates.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkXVE2lWqRn2DLpe9KfNioCo1p60UCJdorgGDOd3pwOpIaIZFgIb8fonngVsrp-sz3Cb1ZBqyGhTQK3UQIRKWnCNksfDom3E7fM2K0gSKQdSowHUuujTPRZmoHCUXY9_-H3H1MTyOoRCw4/s1600/Figure+1+-Heffernan+et+al+2010+nitrates.png" height="320" width="300" /></a></div>
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(3) For some neat information about dendrochronologists, see:<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><a href="http://ltrr.arizona.edu/about/treerings" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">http://ltrr.arizona.edu/about/treerings</a> and for more info about otoliths and aging fish, see: <a href="http://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/fish/age-growth-lab/aging-fish-otoliths/">http://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/fish/age-growth-lab/aging-fish-otoliths/</a>. </div>
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(4) The science behind aging groundwater and determining the source of pollution can be complex and often times leads to inconclusive results. For an in-depth explanation, <a href="http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2011/3070/fs2011-3070.html" target="_blank">see this USGS webpage</a> or <a href="http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00254-004-1061-9#page-1" target="_blank">Katz 2004</a>.</div>
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(5) For more information and an interview with Dr. Matt Cohen, <a href="http://www.fondriest.com/news/qa-with-matt-cohen-tracking-elements-through-ecosystems-in-floridas-springs.htm" target="_blank">see this cool article in the Environmental Monitor</a> from 2012.</div>
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(6) Basic info on stream metabolism is on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stream_metabolism" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>. There are also many scientific papers on whole ecosystem and stream metabolism - if you're interested, I'm happy to pass some along. Most that I've learned about GPP and metabolism comes from Courtney :)</div>
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(7) <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20437966" target="_blank">Heffernan et al. (2010)</a>. Algal blooms and the nitrogen-enrichment hypothesis in Florida springs: evidence, alternatives, and adaptive management. Ecological Applications 20 (3): 816-829.</div>
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(8) Figure from a 2013 <a href="http://floridaspringsinstitute.org/SpringsResources" target="_blank">Wetland Solutions Inc.</a> report demonstrating that the annual average discharge at Rainbow and Silver Springs has been declining since the 1950s.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqTI08TuthAN6bTVJ4q9orM07eOx0WHnTN7tzkArPuIUwEJTtkX5u0ty4AD9ohWYwBrL1eXd_uvslqakt6izPKJFQhzX7_mky7MkA28_7MAaQdOD5BLA_E-jxe8niZ7LgQ62Rc-q7_xW6U/s1600/Figure+4+-+WSI+2013.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqTI08TuthAN6bTVJ4q9orM07eOx0WHnTN7tzkArPuIUwEJTtkX5u0ty4AD9ohWYwBrL1eXd_uvslqakt6izPKJFQhzX7_mky7MkA28_7MAaQdOD5BLA_E-jxe8niZ7LgQ62Rc-q7_xW6U/s1600/Figure+4+-+WSI+2013.png" height="353" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358278082698151306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3084404884161311641.post-56999892161748860712014-06-08T12:15:00.001-04:002014-06-08T12:22:26.027-04:00Mermaid Inspiration<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-M3NB5KsU-vCFWBKVutEDott027jQ4bE56gDKZHDjSlZS7zwCzawLNV3fYcaBKj8xZ2TNoEWZ8XYvhwuYLujdP4X5hyyYLWxxb6Amnqf4LWt60aikYjcbJSWP7DDIv4gWyCysZSOKMF59/s1600/G0151690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-M3NB5KsU-vCFWBKVutEDott027jQ4bE56gDKZHDjSlZS7zwCzawLNV3fYcaBKj8xZ2TNoEWZ8XYvhwuYLujdP4X5hyyYLWxxb6Amnqf4LWt60aikYjcbJSWP7DDIv4gWyCysZSOKMF59/s1600/G0151690.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Her eyes widened and sparkled as an adorable smile spread across her
face. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">All she could whisper was an awe-struck “Wow.”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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Waterlust had just released a <a href="http://magnitude1.blogspot.com/2014/03/mermaids-world-water-day.html" target="_blank">teaser</a> for their “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWdEKTayNFY" target="_blank">Fountain of Youth” Florida springs video</a>,
which involved mysterious music and about <a href="http://magnitude1.blogspot.com/2014/03/mermaids-world-water-day.html" target="_blank">10 seconds of a mermaid swimming</a> in
the impossibly crystal clear sky of Blue Spring. I had driven out to Jax beach
to hang out with Greg while he was dog-sitting for his friend’s sister and before
she left, we showed her 3-year-old daughter the quick video. </div>
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Having not been around kids on a regular basis for several
years, I had forgotten that mermaids are totally mesmerizing to little girls. That
being said, I’m not sure if the feeling of wonder ever dwindles for a girl
raised by the sea – I’m going on 25 and definitely didn’t think my ocean-and
springs-filled life was even remotely close to being complete until I first
swam in a tail in May 2012. </div>
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The mermaid in the video is me, and I will certainly never
forget my magical first swim 2 years ago nor will I ever forget the wonder in the
little girl’s eyes as she looked up at me after seeing the video. Nobody at any
scientific meeting, water outreach event, or casual conversation involving
water or my research over the past 3 years has <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ever</i> looked at me with such wonder or interest. In the eyes of this
little girl, I was better than a celebrity - I was a mermaid. And whatever I had
to say was pure gold.</div>
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This all unfolded a few months ago, but right now I’m fresh
off a cover-to-cover non-stop reading of Randy Olson’s awesome book <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Don’t be </i>such<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> a scientist</i>,<sup> 1</sup> and I can’t help but let my imagination
run wild. One of the main themes of the book is that in order to be more
effective communicators, scientists need to (among other things) become more
likable; the book gave me insight into what a general audience will take away
from a presentation, interview, or argument, and I learned that it doesn’t
necessarily have to do with what is said. In fact, being a successful
communicator doesn’t always involve being the one who can rattle off endless
accurate facts or present the most data, or even present the most logical
argument. Olson reiterates a point by Richard Lanham,<sup> 2</sup>
arguing that “today, style is the substance.”</div>
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I began thinking of this mermaid encounter when Olson brings up the hypothetical idea of a clown on stage at a scientific conference. He
says that scientists have an uncanny ability to see <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">through</i> the clown costume and get <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">at</i> what the clown is saying – if he is presenting falsifiable
hypotheses, rigorous science, and legitimate results, scientists can somehow be
okay with his crazy appearance. But it’s not this easy in more mainstream media
- people have information overload and are often too overwhelmed or busy to pay
close attention, so they really just rely on their gut instinct i.e. who seems
to come across as being more likable. In order for heady and academic
scientists to gain the interest of the masses (and not just preach to the
choir), they need to get the attention of those who wouldn’t normally care
about their topic. They must do what Olson calls “arouse and fulfill”<sup>3 </sup>- this involves
creativity, skilled storytelling, and maybe some charm.</div>
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Preaching to the environmental choir in regards to water
issues in Florida has proved to be a big dilemma, as is springs science
communication. Meeting after meeting, I see basically the same people. There is
fascinating and cutting edge springs and river science going on (a lot of it at
UF), but when you talk to people about water - even those who are genuinely
interested in the springs and water resources - they don’t necessarily know about
a lot of the science. This is understandable because it’s not exactly
readily available.<sup>4</sup> </div>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>"Lack of springs funding upsets environmentalists" - and rightfully so! <a href="http://t.co/wAcHKysRVJ">http://t.co/wAcHKysRVJ</a> via <a href="https://twitter.com/GainesvilleSun">@GainesvilleSun</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23springs&src=hash">#springs</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23florida&src=hash">#florida</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23water&src=hash">#water</a></p>— Jenny Adler (@aMermaidLife) <a href="https://twitter.com/aMermaidLife/statuses/473494115359805441">June 2, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last week, I tweeted an article in the Gainesville Sun titled "Lack of springs funding upsets environmentalists." The article upset me... maybe more than it should have. Don't get me wrong, the article itself was great - very informative and an accurate snapshot of what the funding and money side of things looks like for springs. What struck me was that the lack of funding upset only "environmentalists" - shouldn't we <i>all</i> care that our springs and water are not getting a lot of funding? Shouldn't everyone ("environmentalist" or not) be upset and fighting for one of the most (if not <i>the </i>most) basic human necessity? The "crazy" upset environmentalists need to find an effective way of making everyone care and get upset as well - this is when real change will happen.</td></tr>
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There seems to be a genuine disconnect between most
Floridians and our water – we literally live <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">on top of</i> our water in the underlying aquifer and we should be
protecting it as if we were mermaids who depend on clean and abundant water to
survive – while we are not in fact mystical underwater creatures, we are
inextricably tied to water; we depend on clean and abundant freshwater for
drinking, agriculture, energy, recreation, etc. Over 90% of Floridians rely on
groundwater, whether it comes from their own private well or from a hookup to
city water. Just as endless shopping at grocery stores somehow make it seem
as if broccoli is grown in the produce section (how dare they not have broccoli
and fresh salad greens in the summer when it’s actually too hot to grow
them locally?!), we see water as originating from our tap – BUT where did that water
come from? “A pipe” or “city water” are <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not</i>
good answers – it came from the aquifer. Therefore what else is “competing” for
this water? Our beloved springs, which are also fed by water from the aquifer
under our feet.</div>
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So, what does this have to do with mermaids?</div>
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I’m not saying I’m about to quit my day job as a PhD student
and start swimming around in a tail every day, but I do think this, as well as
other creative and interactive ideas,<span style="font-size: xx-small;">5</span> have tremendous potential for engaging
the public – specifically in outreach and education events with elementary
school kids. Talking about water isn’t just about communicating facts and trying to <i>wow</i>
people with intellect and cutting edge science – it’s about inspiring. We must
inspire others to love the water and instill a love for our threatened water
resources in the next generation. We must find out what water means to people individually<sup>6</sup>
and play to their emotions so that they understand what is really at stake if
we pollute and overpump our water. </div>
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Thinking back, when
the little girl looked up at me, maybe I should have said something like “did
you know that just like mermaids, we rely on water in the springs to live?” and
“did you know that we are using too much water from the springs?” Or was the connection and shared love for water enough?<br />
<br />
I had her
attention – she was all eyes and ears, and I can’t help but wonder if it would
be the same for other young kids. Would kids listen to a mermaid at a summer
camp or school field trip? Would swimming with a mermaid at the springs (and
maybe hearing the mermaid mention a few things about her watery home
afterwards) inspire them to learn more about water and grow up with an
appreciation of our fragile and endangered water resources that they will soon
be tasked with managing and (hopefully) preserving for future generations?</div>
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Jacques Cousteau’s famous words “we protect what we love” are
ringing in my head. If we can raise a generation that loves springs and
cherishes our water and the creatures (mystical or not) that live in it, we
will have done something truly revolutionary and amazing. As of right now, we
are pretty much on track to kill off all of the mermaids that live in the
springs (and simultaneously our drinking water and tourism economy which is
based on our springs and rivers) – but I’m not quite willing to let that happen
and I’m not sure that other Floridians are either.</div>
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So don’t take water for granted - think about what water
means to you and share it with others: inspire your friends, neighbors, and
coworkers to understand how important water is to them personally and our
society as a whole. You really don’t need to be a scientist to do this. I did
ask the little girl if she’d like to swim in a spring with me, which I think
has the potential to change someone’s world – I can tell you firsthand that even
minus the mermaid, it changed mine.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfKFPzkYwa1yU9rAyvuCNJnMYYg89l-0UDJXA-XN8uHf06TXWjTbZSjGLJyQRhLQftgwoR5cPbDIhbr4RS6iJUoeLBbaaTVJSGE22t5gYHEicVnaR1hpfPzLDB8_PM29-hkDXUr7mgaqQc/s1600/G0010065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfKFPzkYwa1yU9rAyvuCNJnMYYg89l-0UDJXA-XN8uHf06TXWjTbZSjGLJyQRhLQftgwoR5cPbDIhbr4RS6iJUoeLBbaaTVJSGE22t5gYHEicVnaR1hpfPzLDB8_PM29-hkDXUr7mgaqQc/s1600/G0010065.JPG" height="310" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This little boy at Blue Springs yesterday was adorable - he had an engaging smile and a love for mermaids and water. He and his dad were standing in the shallows as I was swimming around and seeing how engaged the little boy was, I went over to say hi. Thanks to Greg for capturing this amazing moment - I was talking to them and asked if he wanted to touch my sparkly blue tail - his eyes lit up just like the little girl who saw the video. I hope it's kids like him to grow up to protect our water and save our springs.</td></tr>
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<sup>1 </sup>I couldn’t put the book down until I had read
every word – it arrived in the mail one afternoon and later that night, I found myself
staring at the last blank page, ready for more. It addressed many of the themes
of a Science Communication course I took during my senior semester at Brown as
well as the Scientific Thinking in Ecology course I took during my first fall
as a grad student at UF. It is both witty and inspirational – it is a book
about science communication that has you laughing, contemplating, and learning from page one, and I highly recommend it to all fellow
scientists/wannabe science communicators.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">2</span> Richard Lanham is the author of <i>The Economics of Attention: Style and Substance in the Age of Information</i>. He coined the "substance is style" catchphrase that Olson talks about in his book - Olson basically says that Lanham means there are two different parts of a message: the substance and the style. You can either look <i>at</i> a what is being communicated or <i>through</i> it - if you're looking <i>at</i> it, you're getting caught up in the style of what is being said, whereas if you're looking <i>through</i> the message, you're getting past the style directly to the substance (see p. 141 in Olson's <i>Don't be </i>such<i> a scientist</i>). Olson goes on to say that scientists are well able to look <i>through</i> appearance to what is actually being said, but this is not necessarily the case in the mainstream media (Olson p. 141-142).<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">3</span> The "arouse and fulfill" strategy - basically, get peoples' attention and get them interested in what you have to say then give them information (i.e. fulfill their expectations). Olson's alternative shorthand version is "motivate then educate" (Olson p. 69). He also discusses limitations and exceptions to this model (i.e. academia and the "pre-aroused" audience of students).<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">4</span> The science isn't necessarily readily available to the general public, but <a href="http://www.cynthiabarnett.net/bio.html" target="_blank">Cynthia Barnett</a>'s wonderful <a href="http://www.cynthiabarnett.net/book.html" target="_blank">books about water</a> should (as I've said before) be required reading for everyone in Florida. She is a gifted storyteller and does an amazing job of relaying scientific and historical information in a readable and enjoyable way. Also, this is not to say that scientists and outreach programs are not starting to do great things in Florida - the <a href="http://springseternalproject.org/" target="_blank">Springs Eternal Project</a> spread springs and water awareness via an exhibit at the Florida Museum of Natural history, the <i>Urban Aquifer</i> project, and the <a href="http://springseternalproject.org/">springseternalproject.org</a> website; the Alachua County Environmental Protection Department (along with other organizations) does a lot of water education and outreach with local elementary and high schools; there are many springs working group meetings open to the public, etc.<br />
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">5</span> <i>Springs Challenge</i> - Carmine (from the Florida DEP) has an awesome interactive exhibit that he brings around to different outreach events and environmental fairs that helps people see that we have a very limited supply of water and a seemingly endless list of things that require a lot of water. It sheds light on the important and often forgotten things that require water: electricity, meat and dairy production, paper products, local produce, etc. Each participant gets 4 votes (i.e. 4 ways to use their precious limited amount of water!) and has to pick their top 4 uses of water out of 9 choices. Votes are tallied by seeing the amount of water in the jar for each designated use. I've seen him at many outreach events and his <i>Springs Challenge </i>is always a hit - educational and fun at the same time.<br />
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">6</span> <a href="http://www.waterlust.org/" target="_blank">Waterlust</a> is doing a cool project called #watermeans in honor of World Ocean's Day (today, June 8). They reached out to all of their Instagram followers and asked them to share a photo of themselves, one word describing what water means to them, and their hometown. Check out <a href="http://instagram.com/waterlust" target="_blank">Waterlust's Instagram page</a> and the #watermeans tag on Instagram to see what water means to different people worldwide. And stay tuned to see what Waterlust does with all of the submissions - they've promised something cool!</div>
</blockquote>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358278082698151306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3084404884161311641.post-51671894121635413242014-05-28T18:47:00.002-04:002014-05-28T18:47:56.678-04:00A Jump in Johnson<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQbq6Kdyg-1ocyTxHaTTx3ZWaFoDSyxwoDPcB6qXQD7_jcGa_6pqxGb5vlxwfZcF8XkWASFrebs25zLHZLH54bqfZW4ppma-UzfJFP-CJJLaiYVsxAZx5OFHK933iF6Hj44ztkGVV9OB54/s1600/_DSC0094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQbq6Kdyg-1ocyTxHaTTx3ZWaFoDSyxwoDPcB6qXQD7_jcGa_6pqxGb5vlxwfZcF8XkWASFrebs25zLHZLH54bqfZW4ppma-UzfJFP-CJJLaiYVsxAZx5OFHK933iF6Hj44ztkGVV9OB54/s1600/_DSC0094.JPG" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reflections in Johnson Spring immediately as we tiptoed into its quiet waters. There are 2 main spring vents just below the frame of this photo; there are also a few smaller boils throughout the spring.<br />
If this is the start of the busy springs season, how is this peaceful serenity possible? Read on to find out...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The heat bugs are buzzing and the craziness of Memorial Day
weekend has just passed – this can mean only one thing: the official start of
summer and the return of the masses to the springs. The water is 72 degrees
during every season, so we (just like the manatees) especially love the off-season
when the steaming 72-degree water is actually a thermal refuge from the chilly
mid-winter temperatures. The warmth of the springs in the winter time reminds
us that north Florida does in fact have seasons – and it also serves as a stark
contrast to the full-body shock of diving in to what feels like an icy cold spring on a 100+ degree
summer day. </div>
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There are two strategies for steering clear of the crazy crowds – you
can’t completely avoid them, but you can either arrive just as the park opens and run
directly into the water <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">or</i> you can
find springs off the beaten path that take a little more exploring and
off-roading to find. Most recently, we used the latter strategy and were
rewarded with a fun little adventure.</div>
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Johnson Spring is actually only a few hundred yards away from our most-traveled-to spring.
We’ve been to Blue Springs park 20+ times and have swam for hours and hours in the
magical main spring basin during all times of the year – last year, we watched the
sky-high hydrilla be mowed down to sand by 500 turtles, snorkeled out the entire run a dozen times counting
turtles, did some mermaiding and snail-observing in Naked Springs, and jumped
into the tiny 'Lil Blue spring during the rainy season.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghN-HcH2vO04nND1V_ffXqHEUzh3yXbZY4Feg8RKVZr_Bia1ri01d8MJuKUtQGTW5ShfMvePXG6rbkv33jrSGdsHFU0ZRn7byzx7sXskBdJF2xMPUJBbZt81JQsnMgfOIrSt3kmFIDgki3/s1600/turtlestoday.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghN-HcH2vO04nND1V_ffXqHEUzh3yXbZY4Feg8RKVZr_Bia1ri01d8MJuKUtQGTW5ShfMvePXG6rbkv33jrSGdsHFU0ZRn7byzx7sXskBdJF2xMPUJBbZt81JQsnMgfOIrSt3kmFIDgki3/s1600/turtlestoday.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hundreds of turtles in the main Blue Spring basin, just a few hundred yards from Johnson Spring.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8KjiYF5Vxp5JDI_Q1Xqxz-kkCVtdmVuj0nFxclKuFgmXiiMflh6sj-OLgaKSJKIWoGOhHZ3ZJm5G4Fs1uWm4SF15exvkVdsHnjFx6iWla4y2TKVN0LYg7AupeR69OixRA3YR_t8ovMiMr/s1600/_DSC0038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8KjiYF5Vxp5JDI_Q1Xqxz-kkCVtdmVuj0nFxclKuFgmXiiMflh6sj-OLgaKSJKIWoGOhHZ3ZJm5G4Fs1uWm4SF15exvkVdsHnjFx6iWla4y2TKVN0LYg7AupeR69OixRA3YR_t8ovMiMr/s1600/_DSC0038.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When the water is high, 'Lil Blue is crystal clear and enticing. During the dry season, the water is a few feet lower and the water is the color of strong coffee - not ideal for swimming!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Before this trip, I had only made the quick walk over to Johnson Spring once to dip my toes in its mysterious
waters. At the time, it was February 2014 and the water level was too
low for swimming. The run was a trickle and I played with my above-water camera
among the tall cypress knees and fallen tree that formed a bridge over the spring run. Having missed out on swimming in February, I knew the
flood-stage Santa Fe meant only one thing: my window of opportunity for
a dip in Johnson was small and certainly at the top of my list of places to swim.</div>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9_p55-SsfR8XzTEa8ks9fLXw-yBi9n_EXLQWzEz7NJto5rzUfm2JmaWq56e5jC1IzI8krtynM1b4xreM-XIuKlJNDq8z4d3HUSv61BouLgkGZEf3t5Pv3Jh1FE7xsetyK6_jG-HhyphenhyphenQvzT/s1600/DSC_0118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9_p55-SsfR8XzTEa8ks9fLXw-yBi9n_EXLQWzEz7NJto5rzUfm2JmaWq56e5jC1IzI8krtynM1b4xreM-XIuKlJNDq8z4d3HUSv61BouLgkGZEf3t5Pv3Jh1FE7xsetyK6_jG-HhyphenhyphenQvzT/s1600/DSC_0118.JPG" height="263" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Johnson Spring in February 2014. The water now (mid-May) is over a foot higher - all of the emergent water lilies are completely underwater and the spring pool is significantly larger in area with 2 visible spring boils!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Johnson Spring in February 2014. The spring run was only a few inches deep... much too shallow for swimming -the Santa Fe River has been in flood stage since late April, so the spring has been swimmable since then.</td></tr>
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Greg and I headed out to count the turtles at Blue Spring early one Saturday morning,
walking out the ¼ mile boardwalk to the end of the spring run just like we’ve
done every week for about a month. Wrapped in sweatshirts with our hoods up and clouds
over head, we shivered but secretly savored the feeling of what turned out to be the last crisp and chilly spring
morning. Looking for an excuse to warm up a bit more before jumping in, we made
the trek along the low-lying, muddy floodplain trail over to Johnson Spring,
leaving the screams of weekend campers and morning swimmers what felt like
miles behind…</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view just as I entered the water.<br />
Sunlight penetrates the otherwise shady but crystal clear water in the back corner of the basin, just above the main spring boil. Bright green water lilies and red ludwigia are reflected in the sky.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greg and I explored the secluded spring for a while. Here, Greg is getting some GoPro footage in the main part of Johnson Spring. We swam around very carefully because the bottom was super silty and easy to disturb, especially where we entered the water. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We carefully swam out the shallow spring run, and I had fun taking bright blue reflection photos as we gently kicked our way through the silty run.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidVbO4ezVVUrF7OuJ1DtSXNBgKVzvFEuwkpuDiYjUhO75gF7_C3oV8XauDiAe9AMWDMLKuX2C6cVCxOnICt5oxQNCuF5-oD4XhT3j1R7FRVmYZGxBFD6aZLAkFbaQRtsV8EQpKnTX9x2kK/s1600/_DSC0163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidVbO4ezVVUrF7OuJ1DtSXNBgKVzvFEuwkpuDiYjUhO75gF7_C3oV8XauDiAe9AMWDMLKuX2C6cVCxOnICt5oxQNCuF5-oD4XhT3j1R7FRVmYZGxBFD6aZLAkFbaQRtsV8EQpKnTX9x2kK/s1600/_DSC0163.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Illuminated.<br />
The dark and gloomy sections of the unexplored run lay in stark contrast to the brightly illuminated vegetation, suspended motionlessly in the calm water. Even though there were two visible boils in the spring, there wasn't really any noticeable current in the spring run, and silt from the fragile bottom stayed easily suspended in solution.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here are two more photos that visually demonstrate the incredible difference between low water in February (top photo) and high water in May (bottom photo). It was much too shallow to swim in February but absolutely breathtaking when we were able to jump in recently:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrFYe42IVZ8vgKT13OLkO07Uss3xKAfYcZLX6PmIOmqzuOV1gvMxMso9DhMTaJIJDMlBREb-ZvAaWvKppMy-zq_PTqPhgr4jodFg-I4nxqCvmj8jUlVnw8a2pvvJK10LUU6lE4dpIKhmK6/s1600/DSC_0132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrFYe42IVZ8vgKT13OLkO07Uss3xKAfYcZLX6PmIOmqzuOV1gvMxMso9DhMTaJIJDMlBREb-ZvAaWvKppMy-zq_PTqPhgr4jodFg-I4nxqCvmj8jUlVnw8a2pvvJK10LUU6lE4dpIKhmK6/s1600/DSC_0132.JPG" height="263" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRC1WRq7tELYwQzU4U3an6Fnx5BV-W0ZQvCeOPAbsF7SMCFI3DTnMAPFIolyd1PWk-2_J41qTwepwczWkklZD_8dpjZ1ucwv-9gejO6ZZtAv_GnOBJ6RmbhMJ4JAKD3LJMjqOQwFXtbkWw/s1600/_DSC0167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRC1WRq7tELYwQzU4U3an6Fnx5BV-W0ZQvCeOPAbsF7SMCFI3DTnMAPFIolyd1PWk-2_J41qTwepwczWkklZD_8dpjZ1ucwv-9gejO6ZZtAv_GnOBJ6RmbhMJ4JAKD3LJMjqOQwFXtbkWw/s1600/_DSC0167.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Top</b>: Johnson Spring run in February 2014.<br />
<b>Bottom</b>: Johnson Spring run in May 2014. The water lilies that were in only a few inches of water in February are now totally submerged and reflected in the sky of the crystal clear spring run. We surprised a Suwannee cooter hiding just on the other side of the fallen tree in the bottom photo.</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: center;">So make sure to look just off the beaten path as the springs start to get crowded and crazy this summer - any spring is a treat, but a secret, secluded spring will leave you feeling happy and wonderful for days as you daydream about being submerged in a peaceful and calm underwater paradise - worlds away from the summer heat just above the water's surface.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358278082698151306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3084404884161311641.post-65709932927514080152014-05-27T19:07:00.002-04:002014-05-27T19:07:39.341-04:00Adventures in a Flooded Forest
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh91altR6wAIghuJU680-i9Xdu3qi6D_KT_CwQrwa4u8Q675TmxLKr-QKPK9N4iaXmIgXH1DeTUZbxKKT6sfmuC-cE-MXfl1IuxUdSOlMf49kIP5LG0sCk29ciL6m4e2VYVjX4hzF4FtsSZ/s1600/DSC_0626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh91altR6wAIghuJU680-i9Xdu3qi6D_KT_CwQrwa4u8Q675TmxLKr-QKPK9N4iaXmIgXH1DeTUZbxKKT6sfmuC-cE-MXfl1IuxUdSOlMf49kIP5LG0sCk29ciL6m4e2VYVjX4hzF4FtsSZ/s1600/DSC_0626.JPG" height="263" width="400" /></a></div>
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As river levels rose, so did our excitement. The flood
curtains at Ginnie Springs have been up for a while, holding back the tannic
river and allowing divers access to the winding underworld via Devil’s Eye while most of the other caves in the area have been closed. But the heavy rains that have caused many springs to be tannic and off-limits to divers have also transformed
the Ichetucknee River into a flooded forest that was begging to be explored.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjozg709mNacciWb0qs04XUguNMxHruJw_5AlAEVZTFb6AEo9IPAJfajmEgk9rOzxB-8vaATn-IcQ8YLcPPHPTWUzpcY7RQKYTqblMlA-hjWdHHdKd95EYO2U3V0fL9FhVXLUTElT1uCAOs/s1600/srwmd+ich+headspring+.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjozg709mNacciWb0qs04XUguNMxHruJw_5AlAEVZTFb6AEo9IPAJfajmEgk9rOzxB-8vaATn-IcQ8YLcPPHPTWUzpcY7RQKYTqblMlA-hjWdHHdKd95EYO2U3V0fL9FhVXLUTElT1uCAOs/s1600/srwmd+ich+headspring+.png" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Top) A hydrograph showing days (x-axis) and corresponding river levels (y-axis) at the Ichetucknee Headspring (April 28-May 27, 2014). The river crested on May 3, but it was still in flood stage on May 9 when we paddled from the headspring to the southernmost takeout point. (Bottom) A real-world visual representation of the flood data presented in the hydrograph - the water was at least a foot above the top of the dock railings at the last take-out spot at the state park when we paddled on May 9!</td></tr>
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But it wouldn’t be a full-on adventure without explorations
en route. April showers are supposed to bring May flowers, and Florida is no exception to this age-old rhyme. Fields of wild flowers in full bloom are of course impossible to resist, so we pulled
over to run through endless fields of blooming <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Coreopsis</i>.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Somewhere along the side of the road in High Springs, FL.</td></tr>
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Wildflower-frolicking behind us, we made a quick stop at the
Ichetucknee Campground to get our boats and began our paddle on what appeared
to be an entirely new river.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trip essentials: GoPro, GoPole, mermaid friends, and Greg, who singlehandedly paddled our canoe down the entire Ichetucknee River to save my broken shoulder. He definitely deserves half of the photo credit for all of my photos... none of them would have been possible without his paddling and expert canoe skills!<br />Top: Testing Greg's new birthday GoPole just after launching. This is by far the widest I've ever seen the usually-skinny northern section of the river. Bottom: Danielle and Jenna enjoying the first few minutes of our peaceful paddle.</td></tr>
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Just a few extra feet of water transformed the entire river, and the low-lying flood plane, once dominated by tall cypress knees and emergent macrophytes, became a flooded forest. The water drowned palmettos, roots, grasses, and everything else in its path, allowing us to paddle where feet once tread. But the high water was also disorienting - places once familiar to me were suddenly unrecognizable. We were able to see places through an entirely new light - due to both the beautiful sunlit reflections of the recently-sprouted green leaves and the newly-flooded places to paddle.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt0PDCtjt8dxSJsqCPcAO9Krn-zeG45eQMDtIvCkY8iQzKQooTcGmdMHTOMEIBh8jnRPGyty9XXuKexnOCpHu_9Vj974mYMPyXWi5jU6Nh4VwmLZu7nmd9UGE1JtkjqlThE63qTHKXL2yW/s1600/DSC_0230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt0PDCtjt8dxSJsqCPcAO9Krn-zeG45eQMDtIvCkY8iQzKQooTcGmdMHTOMEIBh8jnRPGyty9XXuKexnOCpHu_9Vj974mYMPyXWi5jU6Nh4VwmLZu7nmd9UGE1JtkjqlThE63qTHKXL2yW/s1600/DSC_0230.JPG" height="263" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Recognize this place? I barely did! Usually, the water is much too low to allow canoe or kayak access to Jug Hole due to the large grate in the spring run, but the high water meant everybody could easily access the spring via canoe or kayak.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6FkQ6dcCl7t02uGrhJUv0SjrwLVuTOeEBqGg_xw4hRJhXGVuCsniAizomyVjD6NuGDhS4bmb092aWsmEiF8NWCFRGd8LykDmQkU1VW9zVn_Xp0gfgORgPZaSWNOQH37X_rCXscU7N3zN/s1600/DSC_0242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6FkQ6dcCl7t02uGrhJUv0SjrwLVuTOeEBqGg_xw4hRJhXGVuCsniAizomyVjD6NuGDhS4bmb092aWsmEiF8NWCFRGd8LykDmQkU1VW9zVn_Xp0gfgORgPZaSWNOQH37X_rCXscU7N3zN/s1600/DSC_0242.JPG" height="263" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jug Hole from an entirely new angle...<br />I've snorkeled here about a dozen times, each time endlessly enamored while hovering at the water's surface, but never have I stood directly over the spring vent! We were able to canoe into the spring and peer down into the green-tinged abyss.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdRwhLZE6PZSNxVnRl7KEnIHDcNYJ9uy5VG1RaJ3YhQj5qC7po9TDwmD5wVrHs-sKalgkRMDtZyl5tEbDr9BFxpwDhQQBuLwI4HbSi62xrtLu1VELo3y9zcpo-sU_ouQhiDLhlpkFf9mRM/s1600/G0051030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdRwhLZE6PZSNxVnRl7KEnIHDcNYJ9uy5VG1RaJ3YhQj5qC7po9TDwmD5wVrHs-sKalgkRMDtZyl5tEbDr9BFxpwDhQQBuLwI4HbSi62xrtLu1VELo3y9zcpo-sU_ouQhiDLhlpkFf9mRM/s1600/G0051030.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So much action! GoPole/GoPro shot by Greg as we all explore the spring and are joined by Nate. (Look closely... I spy two happy mermaids underwater!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOa2yrkDgERgDvImTNI83TpXU35fbBNV_RlVhSbOAynhzuXY5N29kEWMqwASwFH1pdPEY3a2Pw9OCCDxlG8RV7UVufdh0qgRa3yaWKaaGN391P4YAeYuf0wH4yVEx6_0lY5LUBzt8CNbny/s1600/G0050944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOa2yrkDgERgDvImTNI83TpXU35fbBNV_RlVhSbOAynhzuXY5N29kEWMqwASwFH1pdPEY3a2Pw9OCCDxlG8RV7UVufdh0qgRa3yaWKaaGN391P4YAeYuf0wH4yVEx6_0lY5LUBzt8CNbny/s1600/G0050944.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Of course we couldn't resist taking a dip in the sunny spring water before continuing our journey downstream. I took the GoPole for its maiden underwater voyage. Using the stairs in the background as a benchmark, note that at least 2 steps are usually above water!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbCgua9gqEsdaagbyDpTkyDnbhDaZDMMXwEZEWb1jehmqJsoo3oZzer8BjxwQWi-v8c3iyrOa_uPwmFDKEOcXerSZTGjQzHqcZSR1fZVFbs0PP_SrO4wqVBg6CmhXD7izcnBqEacXy06V6/s1600/G0050958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbCgua9gqEsdaagbyDpTkyDnbhDaZDMMXwEZEWb1jehmqJsoo3oZzer8BjxwQWi-v8c3iyrOa_uPwmFDKEOcXerSZTGjQzHqcZSR1fZVFbs0PP_SrO4wqVBg6CmhXD7izcnBqEacXy06V6/s1600/G0050958.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE563C7L-RibzA7pESsZxSrf1LrQ7KQVa4_nAHvNirr2diW8j1uYvNlAGhLo0OOa1hZQ6O0FFlYWCJ3-qGNjwbCYM5zEdj6AgtY1RB0Z758qnU1gqDwU_OTLegYyJ36TJ4g1NnFzr4IdCq/s1600/G0050987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE563C7L-RibzA7pESsZxSrf1LrQ7KQVa4_nAHvNirr2diW8j1uYvNlAGhLo0OOa1hZQ6O0FFlYWCJ3-qGNjwbCYM5zEdj6AgtY1RB0Z758qnU1gqDwU_OTLegYyJ36TJ4g1NnFzr4IdCq/s1600/G0050987.JPG" height="176" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top: Greg swimming in the sky above Jug Hole as I dive below.<br />Bottom: Hovering above, about to dive down (Photo by Greg).</td></tr>
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After a quick dip, we continued our journey downstream, at times taken aback by how wide open and Suwannee River-like the river appeared to be, and at other times weaving our way through trees, over mats of floating vegetation, and through newly-created river channels.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBy5K2rhyqiap3oZZN6FyD0mVBnNComAQ-5Ewi2o9JyJsIZD3HsBbpTzszYcL6oEFDZ6cjYXv0YsK9WC6Ggs9pk4sZVkUCm5bdH4KGVU6RjshsjhckYnEdyPwXAPonWkwW523iFlaAoGrl/s1600/DSC_0357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBy5K2rhyqiap3oZZN6FyD0mVBnNComAQ-5Ewi2o9JyJsIZD3HsBbpTzszYcL6oEFDZ6cjYXv0YsK9WC6Ggs9pk4sZVkUCm5bdH4KGVU6RjshsjhckYnEdyPwXAPonWkwW523iFlaAoGrl/s1600/DSC_0357.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Ichetucknee looked more like the lower Suwannee in some places! The navigable river is usually about half this size and is lined with emergent grasses and dense beds of floating macrophytes.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF2KrhombAxTLel6UtNwXKfqKJ8Iqd9IIfigp9Nt1-PcxWG8KXjrCu-v3WVc1BNwBOZHIQa_2RYouGZgPp_UnJsXGVufLTb3t8fHTIjND3r83vAsHm0LxUrRH-1kN6MT0c1u9vO8IvRCwt/s1600/DSC_0603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF2KrhombAxTLel6UtNwXKfqKJ8Iqd9IIfigp9Nt1-PcxWG8KXjrCu-v3WVc1BNwBOZHIQa_2RYouGZgPp_UnJsXGVufLTb3t8fHTIjND3r83vAsHm0LxUrRH-1kN6MT0c1u9vO8IvRCwt/s1600/DSC_0603.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0TJHPqLkTTLSTMqIT4AFILBenv9P0xVowEPeVydMGETSdUhwatuSWB9qdr0Coy5njjfEvEQ3CQxiuNCH_3hB7LoajFaA_UIFxu96hTdFsOCGNS6ZzWs4-wXbDeMk-td4eNt7cpdZULWDv/s1600/DSC_0456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0TJHPqLkTTLSTMqIT4AFILBenv9P0xVowEPeVydMGETSdUhwatuSWB9qdr0Coy5njjfEvEQ3CQxiuNCH_3hB7LoajFaA_UIFxu96hTdFsOCGNS6ZzWs4-wXbDeMk-td4eNt7cpdZULWDv/s1600/DSC_0456.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rare and special sight on the flooded Ichetucknee, just downstream of the wide open river in the previous photo. The islands of macrophytes floated downstream and clogged the river channel where you can normally paddle - but it also served as the perfect feeding grounds for manatees... what a treat!!</td></tr>
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The huge beds of floating vegetation blocking the main channel forced us to paddle through magical forests. In the distance, amidst the vegetation, manatees surfacing for air let out loud breaths that sprayed water skyward, sending echoing noises throughout the woods. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipr_2h7sEiDd0fdGBrNdeio5nHjMNYS_iQhvXUlh2e7IgUqkwjcHyWI3Mbkw1bjJdx8c82kVvvmU7Kn9q72EUOsML7WyeBbfV97f5pmHlNxdFSwzkpd6BZVoCJcwLk0_Egod7PWJHAaR8y/s1600/DSC_0640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipr_2h7sEiDd0fdGBrNdeio5nHjMNYS_iQhvXUlh2e7IgUqkwjcHyWI3Mbkw1bjJdx8c82kVvvmU7Kn9q72EUOsML7WyeBbfV97f5pmHlNxdFSwzkpd6BZVoCJcwLk0_Egod7PWJHAaR8y/s1600/DSC_0640.JPG" height="263" width="400" /></a></div>
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Just when I though I had completely lost my bearings, I caught a glimpse of some familiar treetops. Pushing our way through floating islands of dense vegetation, we found a barely-recognizable spring amidst the flood.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvl6RDKVINQw5HodAIqqpO16AoaSPWSniJOxKS9kK_jisUYmmx3ESgrgs7ZfzjbIAmt0yrdGRrUTgmxNJ92TbgiVuQrcj5iTLkm4-P7Bw-00UizP63cjniCDeibWY7RytF1nBZqHTiAZIO/s1600/DSC_0501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvl6RDKVINQw5HodAIqqpO16AoaSPWSniJOxKS9kK_jisUYmmx3ESgrgs7ZfzjbIAmt0yrdGRrUTgmxNJ92TbgiVuQrcj5iTLkm4-P7Bw-00UizP63cjniCDeibWY7RytF1nBZqHTiAZIO/s1600/DSC_0501.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZUpXgLcdiX0KkA65KAoonElSXJZRII9pAis24KuEfUet0B1735RFHE3PvY1aDBWXnIkR9W6V8lz_8sSnuIUWogukxbHRhFVQV0bcFHE2hpweuoKGEmaerQIgfeDMtJncLEhEtX-wkMLsJ/s1600/DSC_0518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZUpXgLcdiX0KkA65KAoonElSXJZRII9pAis24KuEfUet0B1735RFHE3PvY1aDBWXnIkR9W6V8lz_8sSnuIUWogukxbHRhFVQV0bcFHE2hpweuoKGEmaerQIgfeDMtJncLEhEtX-wkMLsJ/s1600/DSC_0518.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This tree was made popular and familiar by John Moran's "Fireflies on the Ichetucknee" photograph. This view is a little different - I'm looking at the tree head-on instead of from the side. Its branches look like arms actively reaching out to embrace rivergoers who can find their way to its hidden spring.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm820QBNuj1_1kE6F59Abihyzo19d-IuI2kStt5uUgxK29QNHsi0doWMJjtDO7nJ0iz7OzXWk_F1dVRU7mz768klhpQ-YPwu57UJ86kl0ksGFrIuCfa8PGfO00juc-3uskWIEgD5fpO3ub/s1600/DSC_0528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm820QBNuj1_1kE6F59Abihyzo19d-IuI2kStt5uUgxK29QNHsi0doWMJjtDO7nJ0iz7OzXWk_F1dVRU7mz768klhpQ-YPwu57UJ86kl0ksGFrIuCfa8PGfO00juc-3uskWIEgD5fpO3ub/s1600/DSC_0528.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Submerged palmettos, sunlit patches, and twisted tree reflections in the spring.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnDH5QH2eCEazcpvA_rDtgqHIlVJxYN2dmn1izwz6hvTxjkCu-dT7U7h66Lf9NLvlm5yzS1F3Io-xzQa8yOuNfuCVUGFERk8wId5fsFY_ANh_PiZHxso3JktacgmR39K1wm8pNHYq0IOrK/s1600/DSC_0968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnDH5QH2eCEazcpvA_rDtgqHIlVJxYN2dmn1izwz6hvTxjkCu-dT7U7h66Lf9NLvlm5yzS1F3Io-xzQa8yOuNfuCVUGFERk8wId5fsFY_ANh_PiZHxso3JktacgmR39K1wm8pNHYq0IOrK/s1600/DSC_0968.JPG" height="173" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">September 14, 2013 - A view of the spring from a previous trip. I'm standing a bit higher than I stood while taking the next photo, but it still gives you a comparison in terms of how much more area is underwater in May versus September!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDr0n51krgoWiuwV43tPMDJP_ZHNRoQxgmYfzBaDcu0hfZvg7udPGMP0KYQ5atfMsmRwohz8_3An-J9WkJeugbvvlf-m0zkIChhLa5CaUMBqPJy6A4b0PnUv7o3bb9vOKQHXdTZbyvZ7op/s1600/DSC_0537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDr0n51krgoWiuwV43tPMDJP_ZHNRoQxgmYfzBaDcu0hfZvg7udPGMP0KYQ5atfMsmRwohz8_3An-J9WkJeugbvvlf-m0zkIChhLa5CaUMBqPJy6A4b0PnUv7o3bb9vOKQHXdTZbyvZ7op/s1600/DSC_0537.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">May 9, 2014 - 8 months later, flood stage</td></tr>
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Shortly after our spring stop, we entered the lower part of the river where tubers usually abound. The extremely high water meant the river was closed to tubing, which also totally changed the feel of the lower section. In the heat of the summer when river levels are low and the park is crowded, you can basically hop from tube to tube - without touching the water - all the way from the northern launch to the southern launch! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiypvYZx_vZ61QDvVxEHHE4jAtdDbqmtAWeItBczEJcOlSj-skPNUUzkUwRI2m_kmdLk4sKksFzkpm5XBuNGlAVwYrMy_6fJ3EQ4WGEMNgamCjFun-wxzM1jzN5X18moTktqmK0bJXfcpRw/s1600/DSC_0566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiypvYZx_vZ61QDvVxEHHE4jAtdDbqmtAWeItBczEJcOlSj-skPNUUzkUwRI2m_kmdLk4sKksFzkpm5XBuNGlAVwYrMy_6fJ3EQ4WGEMNgamCjFun-wxzM1jzN5X18moTktqmK0bJXfcpRw/s1600/DSC_0566.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peaceful views on the lower part of the river near where the tubers usually launch and begin their takeover.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ66879rD8aIRAqeYdoqnuBl6dblUWkuxTQyOu439Xmh-KVdPCWEMrAtG0CNbAn771_z8M93kp2DmBGhF7x1b7zWPrOOnPq-eyZD4jPfObImI77ASUlvZ1ZG-p2tnkFGsFErQ8RRwZCtcQ/s1600/G0081089_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ66879rD8aIRAqeYdoqnuBl6dblUWkuxTQyOu439Xmh-KVdPCWEMrAtG0CNbAn771_z8M93kp2DmBGhF7x1b7zWPrOOnPq-eyZD4jPfObImI77ASUlvZ1ZG-p2tnkFGsFErQ8RRwZCtcQ/s1600/G0081089_2.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GoPole view of the lower section of the rivers where rambunctious tubers usually block any views of the water's surface. Instead, a quiet, flooded forest stood still as we quietly explored, suspended in water where snakes once slithered, turtles once crawled, and feet once walked.</td></tr>
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For more photos of our adventure, check out my "<a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10201963223382627&type=1&l=33ddae2af1" target="_blank">Adventures in a Flooded Forest</a>" album on Facebook - or head out to the river next time it floods to experience something unforgettable! And remember, just because the river is flooded does <i>not </i>mean that we have an abundance of water!! Check out Ron Cunningham's op-ed in the Gainesville Sun "<a href="http://www.gainesville.com/article/20140525/COLUMNISTS/140529811/-1/news?Title=If-you-think-springs-are-back-to-normal-you-re-not-paying-attention&tc=ar" target="_blank">If you think the springs are back to normal, you're not paying attention</a>" (May 25, 2014).Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358278082698151306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3084404884161311641.post-68436444406278717792014-05-08T11:47:00.001-04:002015-01-31T22:04:44.072-05:00See the Light<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP3dg5V3xgBqREScG1vxOmSbQ8Xv1SuRgrMgBFgYFAa8bwgNCKJQmTd_AEJuI7mEoRhyKjZgwtQ0wNkhILukVUkJaruvI8vQsulo_GTzrCTwRI-O1FkzBWyokHCTiSVCLd9TcBNBsfHOu_/s1600/IMG_6868.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP3dg5V3xgBqREScG1vxOmSbQ8Xv1SuRgrMgBFgYFAa8bwgNCKJQmTd_AEJuI7mEoRhyKjZgwtQ0wNkhILukVUkJaruvI8vQsulo_GTzrCTwRI-O1FkzBWyokHCTiSVCLd9TcBNBsfHOu_/s1600/IMG_6868.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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Mirror-like reflections in the sky make it seem as though we do not have the spring to ourselves. Our picture-perfect twins dance in the sky as intense rays of sun stripe the water. We can literally see the light as individual sun beams paint and illuminate the flooded springs at Ichetucknee State Park. </div>
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Sadly, the governmental decision making is not so clear. The Springs Bill passed the Senate last week but did not even get a hearing in the House <b>(1)</b> - at first, this bill seemed to be the light at the end of the tunnel after far too much neglect under the Scott administration. Over the course of the legislative session, it became more and more "watered down" from $365 million per year to about $30 million total <b>(2)</b>, but we have not yet lost hope. We must keep the springs and water issues in the public eye - the health of our springs directly reflects our actions in the springshed just like the springs so perfectly portray our reflections in their watery sky. This is our drinking water and it's worth the fight.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFuxlsipn0SXB6BCIkA4lxGdWf38FuCA3nJTYd1IGUXNMwmt0dpDCSfz4RFX1SB-cu0twri-TgHffUL57GKJuL7CN-VcN82KYpKhtdB2AF1vI3yXq2XpvZWTMNkFfC_vSck60-L_9XeeAj/s1600/_DSC0417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFuxlsipn0SXB6BCIkA4lxGdWf38FuCA3nJTYd1IGUXNMwmt0dpDCSfz4RFX1SB-cu0twri-TgHffUL57GKJuL7CN-VcN82KYpKhtdB2AF1vI3yXq2XpvZWTMNkFfC_vSck60-L_9XeeAj/s1600/_DSC0417.jpg" height="295" width="320" /></a></div>
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To escape the convoluted world of politics and "Springs Failure" [the heartbreaking title of an editorial in Tuesday's <i>Gainesville Sun</i> <b>(2)</b>], it is refreshing to take a dip at Ichetucknee Springs. The hot summer air has returned, and the once steaming springs feel freezing compared to the 90 degree air temperatures. To escape the heat, we plunged headfirst into the headspring and Blue Hole. I can only dream that every Floridian may get the chance to have this same experience and not only see but feel the inherent importance and magic of the springs. This is the only way to truly "see the light" in terms of understanding why we must change our relationship with and perceptions of water in Florida. I wish that senators and government officials could see the light as clearly as it's visible here... </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDCeh-1RO-dgDijQGbXStolON5qpxOS-awXuxdxuoaFQuTxkSvMIxgPsNnfsFhBELXrCqIMFDmVZDs2eGN-vh7xL8xrtQFy4NlCJxx5HY2-pTeXr6QuaCbx4F9A3wQ78as2Jti3VU7l9lM/s1600/_DSC0438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDCeh-1RO-dgDijQGbXStolON5qpxOS-awXuxdxuoaFQuTxkSvMIxgPsNnfsFhBELXrCqIMFDmVZDs2eGN-vh7xL8xrtQFy4NlCJxx5HY2-pTeXr6QuaCbx4F9A3wQ78as2Jti3VU7l9lM/s1600/_DSC0438.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brilliant rays of sunshine illuminate a quiet corner of the Ichetucknee headspring. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr5IX_v43OkReKYaCWrB44mPXOVl-UGDqPznrQ3TyVcWxR6uZVpfUNLCK2FNSkMKCxk2YlnL2i7p6Qdq1kvw9utjFy0ysypHiQkb7J9V1aUPi6tY5fRF7e_I79nb6u_BWYXozXRUiu49wV/s1600/_DSC0447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr5IX_v43OkReKYaCWrB44mPXOVl-UGDqPznrQ3TyVcWxR6uZVpfUNLCK2FNSkMKCxk2YlnL2i7p6Qdq1kvw9utjFy0ysypHiQkb7J9V1aUPi6tY5fRF7e_I79nb6u_BWYXozXRUiu49wV/s1600/_DSC0447.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunlight reflects off of Val as she rests at the surface of the headspring before diving down to the vent. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJQryG3Sbhp2FQxTxva9gXoYxEfyAqbbTrF4UeC6IV1_uhPdxiS24VOQxPVnu5yhHd_0vpegi1VpQ00CPzN_3G7P_ZtmokK39eBtIzHC9DuNA9sM7iaoNf3Nfn4lsv2jH0PfePLlE_QIO4/s1600/_DSC0561.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJQryG3Sbhp2FQxTxva9gXoYxEfyAqbbTrF4UeC6IV1_uhPdxiS24VOQxPVnu5yhHd_0vpegi1VpQ00CPzN_3G7P_ZtmokK39eBtIzHC9DuNA9sM7iaoNf3Nfn4lsv2jH0PfePLlE_QIO4/s1600/_DSC0561.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A brief walk through the woods takes you hundreds of miles away to a secluded spring paradise - and a few more steps into the water takes you thousands of miles farther into another world. Light is refracted as it bounces off the bottom of Blue Hole, giving you the impression that the spring itself is producing light. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ_-90HdTW0Z6cG4i6gs8fdhXvUSD0-Zr7NJdbJmgeDnK0y-g6JgVHEGWLYnGOohyH_bWJfIo7F1J8tq2lwXPs2i6WtcbqbmS3g6M_6HcsNWpKCUqjuh5nc6PlnbELj88u3Y6_ZTj2Dz7x/s1600/_DSC0581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ_-90HdTW0Z6cG4i6gs8fdhXvUSD0-Zr7NJdbJmgeDnK0y-g6JgVHEGWLYnGOohyH_bWJfIo7F1J8tq2lwXPs2i6WtcbqbmS3g6M_6HcsNWpKCUqjuh5nc6PlnbELj88u3Y6_ZTj2Dz7x/s1600/_DSC0581.jpg" height="164" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Light in the off-limits spring run gives true meaning to "the grass is greener on the other side." Darkness and shadows in Blue Hole make the other side of the fence look like a tempting paradise. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWV3v31WpQot-XYaNL9B0u6_dC318pAL2vBi9UrbAPeJXMus_e10ksIMfgzlhAV_TEVi4fUiycfTpeUGN-9wJ41MrqkYQQWtRFP72l1Z-eREhfLHmJVtBkjhZNCT6aAG9dS_U_X_4SRx1u/s1600/_DSC0585.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWV3v31WpQot-XYaNL9B0u6_dC318pAL2vBi9UrbAPeJXMus_e10ksIMfgzlhAV_TEVi4fUiycfTpeUGN-9wJ41MrqkYQQWtRFP72l1Z-eREhfLHmJVtBkjhZNCT6aAG9dS_U_X_4SRx1u/s1600/_DSC0585.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fierce streaks of sunlight pierce the flood-stage spring. The water is usually about 2-3 full stairs lower (see staircase in back left corner).</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-l6wKESh6tyhQiOi_ABKwK912eHeeqOk0bIBBUpS5wvy5Y54YoNIjx_0wREVcK-cvF8zwNqs906V1424hUmWQbys28oPFLdW-w4gxlci4IIk4z1UygbtVYUlzOmjoyqjAb6n7DAzP4WJA/s1600/_DSC0597.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-l6wKESh6tyhQiOi_ABKwK912eHeeqOk0bIBBUpS5wvy5Y54YoNIjx_0wREVcK-cvF8zwNqs906V1424hUmWQbys28oPFLdW-w4gxlci4IIk4z1UygbtVYUlzOmjoyqjAb6n7DAzP4WJA/s1600/_DSC0597.jpg" height="223" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hovering in the sky - taking in the inexplicable feeling of a hovering in what seems to be thin air. </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp5IrOw39UFmx1fEWzY2mvnBDamTCMM1lSIrblK7NFmg8Y8_CYm1fJFePWNWDkfonAKWqL8XOOsTdN9zXsxOh2FLV4U-VhiMNmhmGObMUOAQPLO_RfrzdjttBObJXCUweDl66eIJQOwkoV/s1600/_DSC0091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp5IrOw39UFmx1fEWzY2mvnBDamTCMM1lSIrblK7NFmg8Y8_CYm1fJFePWNWDkfonAKWqL8XOOsTdN9zXsxOh2FLV4U-VhiMNmhmGObMUOAQPLO_RfrzdjttBObJXCUweDl66eIJQOwkoV/s1600/_DSC0091.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8jMZNabWdEaZqjylEdZqzveiVhobGkEULXWTyi4wPHTfFjbSa4NW4OYc-0nSjykrqUyr4I0MEV-2jpPRhGBgih-Ejtiuknt_vx9DR0wlYxatIU8SOJqUPita2pkbv4bJTnRH4Mc1VqoTo/s1600/_DSC0614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8jMZNabWdEaZqjylEdZqzveiVhobGkEULXWTyi4wPHTfFjbSa4NW4OYc-0nSjykrqUyr4I0MEV-2jpPRhGBgih-Ejtiuknt_vx9DR0wlYxatIU8SOJqUPita2pkbv4bJTnRH4Mc1VqoTo/s1600/_DSC0614.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a><br />
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The story of springs has many ups and downs - from the establishment of the Florida Springs Task Force in 1999 to the weakening and disappearance of the Springs Bill in 2014. These two photos represent literal up and down shots from the same location ~20 feet down free diving in Blue Hole.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJ_0aQ1tAWHGKavOzvvv6-9NjgZDXILP8DY00e0HLoL8eCh-t4R7LuzJSZT0d2mzQEjo0Wa20SqLZgdCtKsk7udqRJxGi3S4Wh50X5WULnDPFQae1fEQlamTesAkKsIw-EUzZdAoA3nqS/s1600/_DSC0114_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJ_0aQ1tAWHGKavOzvvv6-9NjgZDXILP8DY00e0HLoL8eCh-t4R7LuzJSZT0d2mzQEjo0Wa20SqLZgdCtKsk7udqRJxGi3S4Wh50X5WULnDPFQae1fEQlamTesAkKsIw-EUzZdAoA3nqS/s1600/_DSC0114_2.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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But we will just keep swimming. This summer, we are starting field work mainly in the Silver River under a joint contract between the SJRWMD and UF. This is part of the Collaborative Research Initiative on Sustainability and Protection of Springs (CRISPS) - an interdisciplinary project aimed at further investigating the science behind the decline of the springs and collecting data to better inform management decisions (i.e. studying top-down trophic interactions, food web dynamics, and improving hydrologic models, among <i>many</i> other research projects). More information will be available soon on the SJRWMD webpage.</div>
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<b>(1)</b> In the Tampa Bay Times (Monday, May 5, 2014), Craig Pittman explains why it was "doomed from the start" - <a href="http://www.tampabay.com/news/environment/water/house-and-industry-opposition-meant-springs-bill-was-doomed-from-the-start/2178425" target="_blank">Springs' aid 'doomed from the start' by House decision, advocate says</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJfePXs8ozMkZp5VA1r1CVyGCmSOuptuVhup06nzH44CRvKa1y3XaBszOoF9unL7tMYgJynOJjQ8iWGYhWJ7wiU1u8-Iv1ABeUhXANlFd460_iGzTZPDJyImevtd-d7pNAfHlyIi6_h3Im/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJfePXs8ozMkZp5VA1r1CVyGCmSOuptuVhup06nzH44CRvKa1y3XaBszOoF9unL7tMYgJynOJjQ8iWGYhWJ7wiU1u8-Iv1ABeUhXANlFd460_iGzTZPDJyImevtd-d7pNAfHlyIi6_h3Im/s1600/photo.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a><b>(2)</b> <a href="http://www.gainesville.com/article/20140506/OPINION01/140509824/1076/opinion01?Title=Editorial-Springs-failure" target="_blank">"Springs Failure" Editorial</a> by Nathan Crabbe in the <i>Gainesville Sun </i>on Tuesday, May 6, 2014 (Photo on the left: not a fun headline to see when I opened the <i>Gainesville Sun</i> on Tuesday morning)</div>
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