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Show i ". . . jxjfsj MldDunimttaiiim 'iK Ssannn jrj10 byanChalat . Let the runoff run down Stand quietly almost anywhere in the valley and you will hear the murmur of flowing water. The silent whiteness of winter is melting down the mountainsides and in the evening it sounds just like the ocean captured inside a conch shell. The river is roaring, the creeks are babbling and the irrigation canals are filled with chirping wildlife. The runoff has awakened all kinds of activity in the forests and fields. The kildeer and curlews cackle at one another in the creek beds, the gulls caw loudly in pursuit of the tractors turning over fresh earth below and the snipes are whooping it up in the pasture. But it is the small irrigation canals that seem to be the busiest at this time of year. Along the roadside they emit a din of chirps, croaks and gurgles that fills the air with an organic symphony. There is the occasional splash of a playful muskrat, the honking of a duck family just passing through and the mysterious croaking of those tiny invisible toads. I've tried to spot them, but as soon as my shadow touches the water the chorus falls silent and I am left without a clue. Down the lane, the hawks swoop and scream, the cows croon to their calves and a lonesome filly whinnies for company. These fields that were so quiet in January are now downright noisy. The water has not only livened up the scene it has turned it green and dotted the landscape with wildflowers. The currant and the hawsberry bushes are blooming and the apple blossoms have so far escaped a late-season frost. The wildflowers have been joined in their show by backyard beds full of pansies and peonies and, at least for the moment, nature seems to be hanging in a perfect balance. The runoff, though, never lasts, and later in the summer it will be followed by the hot dusty days of August. The sage will lose its hue and the grasses will crackle underfoot. It is then that fishermen, campers and hikers will be asked to douse their fires and be doubly diligent about preventing forest fires. But it is not too soon to be on the alert for potential fire hazards. Now is the time to teach the young scouts how to protect the forests and deserts and to practice safe, clean camping. The wilderness is entertaining more guests than ever before and it is up to all of us to leave it as we found it. |