I had such a great time on Lagunitas today with the survey team. Though we did not see Salmon we did get to participate in the increase in water flow from the release at the dam. We talk about how the lower, cooler, water the dam releases benefits the salmon, and I can testify to the COLDER, aka "cooler" water that is delivered downstream in these events. As we wandered upstream checking above each riffle we had a group of hikers peer down at us with concerned "are they lost" expressions. It was too loud in the water for us to convey our task and diminish their concerns but all I could think of was J.R.R. Tolkien's thoughts:
“All that is gold does not glitter
Not all those who wander are lost
The tree that is old does not wither
Deep roots are not touched by the frost
From the ashes a fire shall be woken
A light from the shadows shall spring
Renewed will be blade that was broken
Crownless again shall be king.”
The salmon are not lost as they wander, they are just returning from the shadows of the deep sea to re-claim their kingdom, sheltered in ancient trees that are unyielding in their service; worth so much more than gold these symbionts, worth so much more than a few hours in the cold.
So happy for what I do!
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