Bonnie Rannald's Photo-Explorations in focus with nature. : Alkaline stream

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Wildflowers at Lee Hot Springs

Nature Adapts in a Hostile Environment

Early this spring I made a return visit to Lee Hot Springs because I was curious to see what if any wildflowers or plants might be coming out of dormancy. The days and nights have warmed significantly, almost to where they used to be in the month of June. Gone were the frozen puddles along the dirt path and the snow covered slopes were turning a lush green. However much to my surprise on this warm April day, the steam was still flowing from the 185°f, 85°c water.

The small primitive, un-developed geothermal system is hardly large enough for bathing or soaking but it does serve as a fascinating reminder of the volcanism that shaped this landscape millions of years ago.

Walking closer to the stream, I noticed a small variety of green bushes that were thriving in the sandy, silt covered ground.

Contrary to popular belief that deserts are dry, barren wastelands, what I found amazing was the tenacity of nature to adapt and thrive in all kind of conditions. By reducing the size of leaves as with the Greasewood or replacing them with thorns like in the Hop-sage, loss of water to the air (transportation) is kept to a minimum.

Desert perennials like the Birdcage Evening Primrose remain dormant during dry spells and then come to life when water is available.

A Mallow "cheeseweed" grows at the base of a Tufa rock. The mallow is an edible plant, both the leaves and immature fruit can be used in salads or cooked with some olive oil and garlic.

Even in the hot, alkaline water, native grass survives along the bank while algae flourishes on the stream bed.

It might be interesting to make a return visit during the hottest part of summer in July to check out the biological diversity at Lee Hot Springs. If the mid-summer monsoons come again this year, who knows what might be waiting to be discovered within these unique micro-systems.

For additional reading on Lee Hot Springs:

http://bonnierannald.blogspot.com/2014/01/lee-allen-hot-springs.html

What an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been. I love it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get treated to new experiences.

Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level.

"Reflecting Nature's Artistry"

Many of these images are available on my website:

http://www.bonnierannald.com/

For custom matted and framed images:
Off The Wall

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Monday, January 6, 2014

Lee-Allen Hot Springs

Exploring Hot Springs on a Cold, Winter Morning

What better time than a cold January morning to go out exploring one of Nevada's geothermal springs, located just off U.S. Highway 95 and within the Walker Lane Fault Zone.

The area is known as Lee-Allen Springs, where just a weathered and almost unreadable sign with scull and crossbones warns of Danger Hot Water--185°f. (85c)

The primitive, undeveloped geothermal system was thought to be discovered in 1912 by road workers that were hand digging a pit.

Today, Lee-Allen Springs or Lee Hot Springs appears to be just a desolate reminder of the volcanism that formed part of Nevada's landscape thousands to millions of years ago.

Strange rock formations are strewn throughout the area that appears to have been spawned from deep within the earth's mantle.

Almost appearing like a rugged form from Stonehenge or having been sculpted by the abstract hands of nature.

The small alkaline stream that is probably no wider than 5 feet across flows up from an under ground well, possibly being heated from where the fault line reaches close to the surface.

From the entrance to the stream's bend is approximately 8 feet.

With an additional 16--20 feet as it narrows to seep back into the grass.

Algae grow in the alkaline water and thrive from the heat and direct sunlight.

On this cold sunny morning with temperatures below freezing and snow still clinging to the distant mountains, steam rises up from the hot springs creating a surreal effect.

Sand and silt have gained a foothold on most of the area, but erosion from wind and rain help to reveal glimpses of the violent history.

Some boulders lie cemented with coral like features or Tufa: a type of limestone or calcium carbonate that precipitates when calcium-rich water seeps into an alkaline lake.

Gas bubbles or vesicles became trapped and preserved in time as the lava cooled.

An opening in one of the rock formations could have been where lava flowed from a vent.

Recent footprints lead off in to the distance reminding me that I am not entirely alone in this desolate landscape.

For additional reading:
Allen Springs, NV

http://www.hotspringsenthusiast.com/Nevada.asp

Lee Hot Spring | Fallon Nevada Hot Spring Trails | Trails.com http://www.trails.com/tcatalog_trail.aspx?trailId=HGS271-030#ixzz2pI5MIzmS