[From July 2012]
Like a frog slowly being boiled this past ten days we've had highs solidly above 100F..but I am starting to not mind so much. I just slow down and take it easy.. and get out early to enjoy the morning down by the river. Two days ago Thursday there was a large much anticipated rain storm - that just missed us.. rained east and south - a good bit. The river flow has been gradually decreasing and now with the warm temperatures and the 50+ days of no rain this river band of abundant life will begin to turn into a zone of death. But Saturday morning it was delightful as I stepped out to the river floodplain. I walked southeast this time and took the short path through the brushy willows and Arundo cane. Odd guttation from the leaves got me wet walking through the foliage despite the hot dry previous days. I wonder what makes for abundant guttation here. I did not expect.
Walking east toward the sun along the river sand bar and in the water.. much to see. I began recording GPS coordinates so I could watch and see if populations of surface dwelling aquatic insects like gyrinids tended to be found in the same location each day.
In the still well flowing river, a population of corixids gather around the white lid of a water bottle. crunched and coated with algae. Corixids must have it good.. lot of vegetation to eat and few predators on them. Why do they gather here? Is there some social value.. maybe some protection..?
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