After the “Great Flood of The Laguna” receded, I was able to make it to spots that were inundated just days before.  As i’ve written before, it seems the Laguna goes through a transformation; it’s wiped clean of summer and fall clutter.  The fall grasses are becoming mulch now and green meadow grass is starting to poke through autumn’s matted plants.  Here and there, signs of spring; a budding willow tree, emerging flowers on ludwigia, meadow birds not heard since last summer.  Another storm coming in will cleanse the palette once again, if briefly.  Make no mistake, winter is lurching to an end at the Laguna.  Tick season is right around the corner.  Oh boy.

Willow trees along the Laguna de Santa Rosa begin their spring growth, Monday Feb. 24, 2014. (Kent Porter / Press Democrat) 2014

Pelicans cut the air over the Laguna de Santa Rosa, Monday Feb. 24, 2014. (Kent Porter / Press Democrat) 2014

 

Deposited by flooding, ludwigia, a invasive plant that chokes the Laguna de Santa Rosa during the spring and summer months. dries on the branches of oak trees, Monday Feb. 24, 2014. (Kent Porter / Press Democrat) 2014

A crayfish on the bank of the Laguna de Santa Rosa, Monday Feb. 24, 2014. Hundreds of crayfish succumbed to the flood of the laguna, by getting tangled in brush as the water receded. (Kent Porter / Press Democrat) 2014

A kayaker fords the Laguna de Santa Rosa, Monday Feb. 24, 2014. (Kent Porter / Press Democrat) 2014

-Kent Porter

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