High and Dry

Despite the fact that they were wearing their orange waterproof feet, these ducks were not about to put them into the solid looking green water. They are perched on a log in one of the backwaters of Spring Lake which has become coated with a layer of bright green algae. If it ever rains, the lake will be flushed and rinsed, then filled with clear water.

There were lots of people fishing from the shores of the lake, and there was one party of kayakers in the midst of one of these neon colored backwaters, but I don't think I would care to venture into it, much less eat fish caught there.

A two year old golden retriever died very suddenly after ingesting water at a popular beach on the Russian River, water which tested positive for toxic blue green algae. As it is the three day Labor Day holiday weekend, the decision was made not to close the beaches, but people are being warned not to drink the water. A picture in the paper showed people standing in the middle of the river in water only three inches above their ankles…water which is usually deep enough for kayaks, rowboats and rafts!

Labor Day used to be the official end of summer.  When I was a kid, the day after Labor Day was always the first day of school, but kids here have been back in school since the middle of August. Is nothing sacred anymore? Are we still supposed to put away our white pants and shoes? Who knows….