#estuarial

[reasonsforhope]

"When considering the great victories of America’s conservationists, we tend to think of the sights and landscapes emblematic of the West, but there’s also a rich history of acknowledging the value of the wetlands of America’s south.

These include such vibrant ecosystems as the Everglades, the Great Dismal Swamp, the floodplains of the Congaree River, and “America’s Amazon” also known as the “Land Between the Rivers”—recently preserved forever thanks to generous donors and work by the Nature Conservancy (TNC).

With what the TNC described as an “unprecedented gift,” 8,000 acres of pristine wetlands where the Alabama and Tombigbee Rivers join, known as the Mobile Delta, were purchased for the purpose of conservation for $15 million. The owners chose to sell to TNC rather than to the timber industry which planned to log in the location.

“This is one of the most important conservation victories that we’ve ever been a part of,” said Mitch Reid, state director for The Nature Conservancy in Alabama.

The area is filled with oxbow lakes, creeks, and swamps alongside the rivers, and they’re home to so many species that it ranks as one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth, such that Reid often jokes that while it has rightfully earned the moniker “America’s Amazon” the Amazon should seriously consider using the moniker “South America’s Mobile.”

“This tract represents the largest remaining block of land that we can protect in the Mobile-Tensaw Delta. First and foremost, TNC is doing this work for our fellow Alabamians who rightly pride themselves on their relationship with the outdoors,” said Reid, who told Advance Local that it can connect with other protected lands to the north, in an area called the Red Hills.

“Conservation lands in the Delta positions it as an anchor in a corridor of protected lands stretching from the Gulf of Mexico to the Appalachian Mountains and has long been a priority in TNC’s ongoing efforts to establish resilient and connected landscapes across the region.”

At the moment, no management plan has been sketched out, but TNC believes it must allow the public to use it for recreation as much as possible.

The money for the purchase was provided by a government grant and a generous, anonymous donor, along with $5.2 million from the Holdfast Collective—the conservation funding body of Patagonia outfitters."

Video via Mobile Bay National Estuary Program, August 7, 2020

Article via Good News Network, February 14, 2024

[ostracartderms]

Eusthenopteron trying to eat an acanthodian in a Devonian estuary.

[stargoose-photo]

Grain, Kent, England, August 2024.

[makofinz]

Look at this freakinng. AWESOME CAKE. my friend made me. @specialguy the GOAT

its a spotted estuary smooth hound!!!

[bluebelly-sun-serpentine]

August 10th 2024

[translunaryanimus]

A Married Couple from the Chlâsle culture displays their outfits The Chlâsle (Beader) culture, also known as the 'central' culture(s) is by far the most widespread culture among Chenesht. Here a married couple, Shêdach [Sheedat] (left) and Mhachâp [Mataap] (right), show off traditional garb for Married Adult Chenesht. Garb is conveniently labeled for our sake. More in depth descriptions below the cut.

Shêdach's Outfit

Shêdach is wearing a Ghelâlcha, a Mhach, a pair of Mhsêlba, and a Nhêdlba. A Ghelâlcha [Gelaalta] directly translates to 'Ghelâ Cover'. Named for its vauge resemblance to the Central Ghelâ when fully unrolled. The Central Ghelâ is a small amphibious quadruped descended from the same common ancestor as Chenesht and populates the waters, sometimes hunted for food. Some Ghelâlcha are patterned specifically to look like the pelt of a Ghelâ, though some find this practice garish and offputting. Shêdach's Ghelâlcha is made of silk, though most are made of a lighter fabric.

A Mhach [Mat] directly translates to 'Cape' or 'Cloak' and is a common item for everyday wear. A Mhach is typically made of hand woven linens crafted from fibers stripped from aquatic plants. On occasion, sturdier fabrics like a canvas weave or even silk are used, but these are typically more expensive as they require more effort and skill. Mhacha are more or less elaborate depending on the occasion, and are frequently decorated with beads along the edge. Shêdach's Mhach beads are in the 'flyfish' (front 3) and 'bloom' (the rest) patterns, and the Mhach itself is clasped with an airjelly beaded pin.

Mhsêlba [Mseelba] directly translates to 'Tie Pants'. Mhsêlba are typically simple and unpatterned as they spend most of their time hidden beneath the Mhach. They're similarly made of linens or silks and are tied with either a flat ribbon or braided chord to keep them out of the swamp below. When untied, Mhsêlba reach the ankle.

Nhêdlba [Needlba] directly translates to 'Tie Shirt'. Nhêdlba are much the same case as Mhsêlba, spending most of their time hidden beneath the Mhach. Patterned Nhêdlba are more popular among unmarried adults and teens. Nhêdlba are tied around the waist with a flat ribbon or braided chord and fall just above the tail when untied. Their hems are typically tucked inside the Mhsêlba.

Shêdach comes from a wealthy family, and so he owns more items made from expensive fabrics and items with more beads/more complex beaded patterns.

Mhachâp's Outfit

Mhachâp is wearing a Mhachlcha, a Mhachnhâl, a Nhêddhan, and a Shochlba over a pair of Mhsêlba. They also carry a Ppamh.

Mhachlcha [Matlka] directly translates to 'Cape Cover', named for its resemblance to the common Mhach. The Mhachlcha is comprised of two parts, a tighter headwrap typically made of linen or silk, and a translucent mesh or sheer linen covering pinned to the headwrap with a decorative fastening. Mhachâp's Mhachlcha is pinned with one of her shed rhamphotheca casings from their canines. The casing was filled, capped, and fired to preserve it and make it sturdier before being used as a fastener. It's decorated with tentacle patterned bead strands.

Mhachnhâl [Matnaal] directly translates to 'split cape/cloak' or 'slit cape/cloak' and is a variation on the more traditionam Mhach. Mhachâp's Mhachnhâl is decorated with 'vine' pattern beads and is tied up under her arm that rests on her Ppamh.

Nhêddhan [Needan] directly translates to 'wrap shirt'. Traditionally a Nhêddhan is one large piece of unpatterned linen or silk wrapped around the torso and arms and pinned at the side, hence its name, though more modern cuts of Nhêddhan appear more like the t-shirts of earth. Patterned Nhêddhan are more common among unmarried adults and teens. Mhachâp wears a modern linen Nhêddhan.

Shochlba [Shotlba] directly translates to 'tie skirt'. A Shochlba is typically a split piece of patterned linen tucked into the tied waistband of a pair of Mhsêlba then draped over them, as demonstrated by Mhachâp. Schochlbâ are much longer than expected, and some worn for parties or fancy events drag along the floor. These, understandably, are only worn to places in which a dry floor is present.

Ppamh [Ppam] directly translates to 'stick', but is more commonly translated as 'staff' or 'cane'. A Ppamh is a simple mobility aid for Chenesht, typically constructed of varnished wood and held together with silk threads. Ppamha typically come in two parts, a base and an extension. The extension is used for when the ground is unstable or squishy, and accounts for the Ppamh sinking slightly into the soil. The extension can also be used to adjust for height and is especially useful for teenage chenesht. Ppamh are sized to a Chenesht's comfortable bipedal stance.

Mhachâp comes from a middle class family and considers their Ppamh to be their 'highest quality' item due to the time and care taken to craft it to her proportions. She needs her Ppamh for weakness and chronic pain in her back legs.

Grammar note, 'a' is appended as a suffix to denote multiple. In words that already end with a, it's changed to â. So Mhach -> Mhacha, Ppamh -> Ppamha, Shochlba -> Shochlbâ, etc.

[pangeen]

“ Towards the Sun “ // Solly Levi

[illustratus]

Sunset over the estuary by Sidney Richard Percy

[ohwatson]

remembering how 14-year old me watched a study in pink for the first time and how my main takeaway (apart from instantly clocking the sheer homosexuality of it all) was that i thought lestrade was hot

[sandalinbohemia]

Neve: Maybe. But nicknames say something--about your reputation or who loves you or a story that stuck.

oh. oh.

[chasingrainbowsforever]

“Ocean River” ~ By William Patino

[huariqueje]

Going Fishing Buffalo Creek , Darwin - Rachel Niewling

British , b. 1956 -

Engraving , 45.5 x 61 cm. Ed. 50

[rabbitcruiser]

Forest (No. 7)

Stewart, BC

[stargoose-photo]

Grain, Kent, England, August 2024.

[thesilicontribesman]

Humphrey Head Ancient Headland and Landscape Feature, South Lakes

[estuarycicada]

vixen