WALLER CREEK 2: BRANDY REYNOLDS

I am looking down on Waller Creek in an attempt to see the Creek as part of a big whole. Last time I concentrated on a squirrel and a waterfall but now I am trying to broaden my picture of the creek. The trees, animals, and even buildings around Waller Creek seem to be and important part of the overall presence of the creek. The tall trees that hang over the creek and act as canopies to some parts of the creek, almost seem as much a part of the creek as the actual water. What is a creek without beautiful greenery around it to add character? The roots of these trees are intermingled and embedded in the banks of the creek as if to say, "as long as you are here, I will be too." But, the trees are not the only players in this creek.

As I sit here I can here the chirps of birds and see the little squirrels frantically racing around. These creatures too are a part of the "whole" creek. Creatures have made their homes in the trees, banks, and water for years and are inevitalby a part of this great Waller Creek. To my left three birds are bathing in the creek, while two more stop for a rest on a tree branch. They are utilizing the different parts of their home that make up the "whole." While stating the obvious parts of the creek, the not so obvious are also interesting.

Many think the commercialization around certain spots of nature are bad, but I also think taht the commercialization plays a part in the creek. Sure thousands of years ago none of these buildings were around and there weren't 50,000 students running around, but now that there is, I think it adds to the creek. I certainly would not be sitting here doing this assignment had UT not been built. I would never have acknowledged Waller Creek and neither would thousands of others. The creek is more accessible to me now and that is only because of the buildings that surround it.

Things around the creek, as well as the creek itself, have evolved and like it or not are a part of the whole creek. I agree with Burch in that "To remove any one element is to upset the balance of the collective whole"(351). Some may argue that this is bad and that nature needs to be preserved but if we are also a part of nature then we belong next to creeks, lakes, forests, and everything else. If creatures can make their homes here, why can't we? I think the creek needs people, buildings, animals, dead things, etc. Which only allows me to deduce that a complete unity is being established. Although there is a clear distinction between certain aspects of nature we must remember that, "This process has distinct features which catch our attention, but we must remember that distinction is not separation" (353). To unite every aspect of this world in one place I think is an accomplishment. And as we talk about the parts of the creek that make it whole, it is fascinating to know that the creek also is just a part of a bigger whole. There is always something bigger or greater and it is that realization that causes unity.