It’s bed now lies dried and forsaken by the life blood of this ecology.
Though the patterns left in the desiccated dirt are still redolent with the memory of fluidity and the sinuousness of those halcyon days of bank full flooding.
There are other echoes of water here as well. This sense remains in the richer greenness of the banks and the taller growth of the trees.
Undeniably, the birds are more active and vocal here as the air is filled with their sweet songs and darting shadows.
As one passes further up the stream bed, tucked into the deepest corner of a meander, a small patch of wet mud is found.
Around it there is a greater level of activity, birds and animals insects throng to this point. Looking down this riparian refugia is criss crossed with innumerable tracks.
Even this shady damp hollow recedes rapidly though under the power of the fierce and pitiless Andalucián summer sun.
All around the ecology draws ever deeper as it awaits the salvation of the rains.
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Photo: The garganta at Saladaviciosa. Courtesy of the author.
