Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Keeping Alabama Forever Wild

Sunrise over Wheeler Lake

This spring Al.com is publishing a project called Keeping Alabama Forever Wild. Alabamians were invited to send in essays and photographs to share about their special place in Alabama - places that contain deep meaning for them. Selected submissions for this project are running now and ends on Earth Day, April 22, 2011. A new essay is published daily. This project is done in cooperation with The Nature Conservancy of Alabama and Conservation Alabama Foundation.


American White Pelicans at Wheeler Dam

The Forever Wild Program was established in 1992 by constitutional amendment to provide for the purchase of public recreational lands. Since its inception Forever Wild has acquired eighty six (86) tracts totaling 222,771 acres located throughout the state. (source: Outdoor Alabama)


Morning mist rises above Wheeler Lake


My submission is one of the chosen and will be published this Friday, April 1st. Regular readers can guess the area I've written about. The title - "I Am This Flowing Water."


Great Blue Heron and the fish that got away - Wheeler Dam

An excerpt: " It is here, walking along the winter banks at low pool that evidence of Alabama's past can be found lying about, untouched - rock, flint and clay. I observe and enjoy its sandy shores and driftwood, soft water, spongy bottom, shorelines littered with mussel shells and rocks, and breathe in the river's perfume. Wide sky stretches from here to there, a canvas for unusual cloud formations, sunrises and sunsets, storms, lightning in nighttime clouds, mists rising from the lake, rainbows, a gazillion stars at night."



Rock and leaves - Wheeler Lake

It was tough sticking to 600 words or less but I think the essay reflects fairly accurately my love for my lake. Reading these submissions has brought back fond memories of my life here in this beautiful state. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I have.

12 comments:

Carol said...

Congratulations Debi! I look forward to reading your essay. Your photographs are fabulous!! What a tremendous vision the citizens of your state show with these great efforts towards protecting the land and wildlife.

trav4adventures said...

Beautiful photos~! Thanks for sharing your corner of the world!

Gaelyn said...

Right on Debi! Your words and photos relay your love of place.

Blessing Counter said...

Not a surprise at all -- your photography is amazing, your writing lovely! I am just surprised they didn't ask you to do one daily and forget the other submissions!

Eve said...

Looking forward to reading the full article Debi. I know now how this state can bring out love of nature and country in everyone.

Bo Mackison said...

Oh, Debi. Your words are so meaningful, so moving, and perfect. So happy to see you posting again.

D said...

Now that's what I'm talking about! Wonderful and so tickled for you. D, all photos are beautiful, but my heart says "Morning mist rises above Wheeler Lake". Hope all is well.

Anonymous said...

That heron shot is too cool!

bunnits said...

The morning mist and the heron photos are really neat.

Hilda R.B said...

Your word and photos are wonderful. Thanks for sharing.

Jan said...

Hi Debi,
Thank you so much for linking to my sustainable living project! I am going to go read your entry...congratulations for all of your hard work.
One thing I want to ask is if you can please mention my project in your blog post here, and add the link to it...that's just one of the things I asked of everyone. This is the link:
http://thanksfor2day.blogspot.com/2011/03/gardeners-sustainable-living-2011-win.html

Also, for the actual link you attach to Mr. Linky, please make it of this specific post you are entering into the project instead of to your blog itself.

Sorry for this...don't mean to make it too complicated, just want to be fair to everyone who has done it;-)

Jan

PS I found your photography page on Facebook and 'liked' it. I also tried to go to the website you listed on your Info. page but that link doesn't work, just FYI!
Here's the link that won't work:
http://www.debibradford.com

Northern Beauty Seeker said...

I think *I* have fallen in love with Wheeler Lake through your photos and posts over the last few years. Congrats on getting your entry published. :)

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