Four miles up the San Gabriel River -- the border between Los Angeles and Orange counties -- the banks of the river change from stones, brush, and trees to sculpted concrete. At this spot, the depth of the water also changes rapidly: from several feet on the natural side, to an inch or nothing on the concrete side. But the great beauty of this location lies in the amount and variety of birds who have gathered to feed, groom and maybe do what I do there: meditate.
As Henry David Thoreau demonstrated a century and a half ago, a human can often find solace in nature while organizing, or re-organizing his/her thoughts and goals. The frantic pace of modern society takes its toll on all who participate in it. Without condemning modern society, we can simply recognize its benefits and detriments. And we can strike a balance between what we need to do just to survive and what we need to do to really enjoy life.
Looking south: The end of the natural part of the San Gabriel River.
Same spot, looking north: The concrete flow-way which stretches for miles inland.
Great words and great photos. Ever since moving to the US in 1992 it has bothered to me that the great 'Rivers of America', as they are called in Disneyland, are actually concrete lined storm water channels. Luckily, there are a few stretches of river, like those shown in Bill's photos, still left unconcreted for us to enjoy.
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