The Biology Ponds

My first impression of the ponds is that the water looks real brown and murky. Maybe it is because it is overcast and gloomy today. Other than that, the ponds are rather enchanting. I like how they each flow in to the other by way of miniature waterfalls.

Right as I am writing, a squirrel came up to me and interrupted my train of thought. He came within about a foot and a half of me, and I gave him part of my sandwich. They are such cute creatures. I love the way they nibble on their food. This is kind of funny and not entirely on the subject, but the way squirrels eat remind me of how Tom Hanks ate the small corn on the cob in the movie Big.

One thing that is really beautiful about the water is how it reflects its surroundings. I see the sky and trees and even buildings reflected in nature, on the surface of the pond. This is a perfect little place to sit and meditate during a busy day. It makes me wonder where all these people are going that are hurrying around campus. Have they are just sat down here and taken a moment to breathe? Do they know how relaxing and invigorating it is to sit here and listen to the water flow and watch the turtles swim?

I decided to move form my spot and see what else the pond had to offer. I first walked over to this tree that had beautiful purple flowers adorning its branches. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a tree like this before. I then walked over to the spot where the ponds originate, which is a waterfall. There is so much greenery surrounding it. The waterfall is a giver of life. Finally, I walked over to the last pond where there were ten turtles piled onto three rocks basking in the occasional sunlight.

What is interesting about these ponds is that they are man-made. Darwin, brought up an interesting point when he said, "Can we wonder, then, that Nature’s productions should be far "truer" in character than man’s productions, that they should be infinitely better adapted to the most complex conditions of life and plainly bear the stamp of far higher workmanship?" I think it is true that man cannot create to the degree with which nature has created itself. Nature is ever changing and adapting to its environment. It is a phenomenon within which we have played a minute role among the years.

I would like to leave you with this quote by Darwin: "As buds give rise by growth to fresh buds, and these, if vigorous, branch out and overtop on all sides many a feebler branch, so by generation I believe it has been with the great Tree of Life, which fills with its dead and broken branches the crust of the earth, and covers the surface with its ever-branching and beautiful ramifications".