Dirty Spot Sweet Spot

     The lake is empty, nearly empty. I must say 90 percent of the birds have "left". I don't know what to say about them anymore, I can see no way how the lake can help its self. My heart brakes each time I take a glance but then I look again. 

 

(My favorite spot)

     My favorite spot is facing forward to the mountains, the clouds light shadows on the lake, the fountains of lava and the trail of ancient trees.  Half the lake is gloomy and dark. The other half is bright to the horizon. I wonder what that means. My life is so complicated, like this park. In plain sight it looks wonderful; decent.But once you get up close you can point out every single flaw. And i hate that. People are often judged, this park is more of a lost cause compared to the Sparks Marina Park. It is such a lovely sight, even up close. Not to mention that people can actually swim in the water. 

 

 

  (Marina/ WildNatureImages.com) 

     And I wonder why can't we be like the marina. Well we can't afford to think like that. I can't, nobody can, nor the lake. All that's left is to accept yourself and find your own beauty in your own way. You can't strive to be like someone else. I've learned that the hard way. You can spend all your life trying but I promise you won't suceed. Its time we stop putting ourselves down and be our selves because thats what makes us worth wild. I wouldn't want to be anyone else but me. I love each flaw I have because that is exacly what makes me different from you.

(My favorite tree)

     Theirs one tree in particular that I like. Its not so glamorous at all. The bark is faded grey, with not so many leaves. The wounds of branches ripped put from time to time. It slowly starts to fade into the sky. All of the trees surrounding it have just started to change into trees that look like their on fire.

However this tree seemed to be past that awkward stage and into a more appropriate apperance. To me thats rather strange because this is the only one I have seen this way. I see this tree differently. I placed my hand on the tree and it feel't cold, like if it were dead. As we all know trees are very much alive but you see this tree is very dead. I see this as another one of lifes victums. This tree must have been exausted of living. It watched, feel't, smelled and tasted this horrible world and could not bare to stay alive anymore. So now it waits, patiently, for a sign to return. 

After some time it is reborn in hopes of a better life where it is full of so much joy. Then again it is just a tree, who has simply changed as the season has.

     But read closely to what I say, everyone has gone through so much and I'm afraid no one will ever understand you or your stuggle in life. But that is what makes you stronger. Realize nobody has it easy, never underestimate or judge the life of somebody else, you never know what battle they might be fighting.

Hope is what keeps us alive.

Hope is what keeps this park alive.

(The tree that looks like its on fire) 

The pit of shame

     Everything has a system, that way life can always go on. Most lakes have some process where they can always have clean water. I was walking down the road through a lovely sun set blaze. It then hit me. A horrible smell that swallowed me whole and spit me back out. I stood completely still, sniffed the polluted air. There it was; the pit of shame. The parks stench grew stronger as the water evaporated more and more into the air. Moss had grown through it, over it and around it.

(The machine that improves water circulation a.k.a. the pit of shame)

     The pit of shame has a specific job and that is to improve or promote better water circulation. But because of the drought in the Truckee River, there isnt anymore water passing through to the lake.

      The lake is forced to contain all the waste animals and people create. But still the pit of shame has completely failed to try to make things better because it is clogged up with moss. I mentioned before that the state put a sign of the lake being polluted. I found out why the ducks left so quickly. I previously thought they had just migrated, at least the lucky ones would. Dozens of ducks and fishes were being killed by Avian Botulism.

 

(www.birdtrader.co.uk)

Avian Botulism is the cause of receding waters that have exposed bugs who contain toxins. It caused the ducks who ate the bugs to develop the disease, become paralyzed and die. As a result the water has bloomed toxic blue/ green algae and it contains the disease as well.

(The lakes water)

Placing a sign is completely useless. Honestly, does the officials with the Nevada Deparment of Wildlife really think people are going to stay away when there is problems with control of drugs, alcohol, ignorance, law breakers and everything else in the state. They aren't putting any thought as to the result if a person whould get sick of Avian Botulism and die.

(loafs of bread thrown into the lake)

 I guess we've all come to not care anymore. About a week ago, I was jogging around the lake, I stopped because I had seen a dog drink the filthy water. And her owner gossiped away on her phone, without a care in the world. So I walked up to the lady, "Excuse me I don't know if you saw the sign but the water is toxic and it could harm your dog". The lady responded, "Oh that's fine sweetie I saw it, I don't care", while she laughed at me. I couldn't believe this woman had let her pet drink this "water" when she has no idea what it contained inside. This is proof why I'm so mad that the  manager of reno parks Jeff Mann had the audacity to do nothing and "let nature takes its course". I for one will not accept that. So I kept searching and I found that the only way to improve the water is for us to wait for snow. And there are plans to install a new system to improve water circulation. The cost will be about $300,000 to $400,000 and it could be up and operating next year. Maybe some people actually do care, there might be some hope for humanity after all.

 

  (http://www.rgj.com/story/news/2014/08/25/ducks-dying-drought-lowered-virginia-lake/14592081/ )

  

  

How it begins

 

(My brother)

      I was given the opportunity to do an observation on a living thing. I had chosen to write about my brother, Sebastian. I was amazed with the way he would learn things so fast. He was my muse, but only at first. I then realized he was completely ordinary. It then became the same usual routine each observation day. But in debt to our wonderful memories talking I decided to include him in my first blog post. The reason why I changed so quickly was because after sometime my creature lost me. It doesn't matter anymore though because people get to much attention and they turn into hungry beasts for attention. I plan to stay on the green side of the hill where everything is true, graceful and just plain lovely. I will give attention to what really needs it or at least notice it.

(Average sign)

   I thought it would be useful if you were to visit this park on your own. If you don't believe any word in this blog, the park is located on Lakeside Drive at Brinkby Avennue, Reno, NV 89502.
 The Virginia Lake Park is one of humans worst crimes. The sky is gloomy with cool water colors splashed on the clouds; trapping the beaming sunshine. The trees? Green and full of life. The water? Black, a black hole of construction barriers, plastic bags and an awful stench. It makes me sad to see the conditions of the park worsen as the years have gone by. I've been coming to this park since I was a little girl. I've had so many memories here with my loved ones. This park means so much to me because I  have lost some loved ones who would come to the same park with me. Every time I come here memories flash through my mind. Its sort of like if they are with me. I couldn't/can't afford to miss an opportunity  where I can learn to understand this place. I didn't choose this park just because its destroyed but for my own selfish reasons. I needed to understand why this park always brought me back.    

( Plastic bag)

( Plastic bottle)

( Construction barriers)

( Metal tube)

 Aside from my connection to the park, a lot of damage has been done here. And What's worse is that is aware of this wrong doing. The Nevada Department of Wildlife has only put an effort to save it by placing a sign. It says the water has toxins that will make animals and humans ill. Maybe were not the main priority of the government, I guess it'll be up to me to try to make a change.

  

  

  

  

(Health sign)