Liquid is the theme for this week at Where’s my backpack?
In my view, water (H2O) is the most precious liquid, without which we cannot survive. It is abundant, but clean freshwater is becoming more and more scarce. In the future, it may become one of the most important resources in the world.
Let’s look at some statistics: 70% of earth’s surface is water; 75% of human body; and 90% of human blood is water too. Of all the water that’s there on earth, 97% is in seas and oceans and 2% is icecaps. Of the remaining 1% fresh water, only a small percentage is accessible. And from what’s accessible, 98% water is used for agriculture and industrial use. Water, as a liquid may have many colors. High up in Jiuzhaigou , China, there are dozens of blue, green and turquoise-colored lakes. Originating in glacial activity, they were dammed by rockfalls and other natural phenomena, then solidified by processes of carbonate deposition (travertine). Jiuzhaigou’s water has a high concentration of calcium carbonate, making it so clear that the bottom is often visible even at great depths. The lakes vary in color and aspect according to their depths, residues, and surroundings.
The blue colored water in this picture taken at Jiuzhaigou contrasts sharply with the green trees on the upper part of the image. The water is so clear that the bottom of the lake is highly visible. However, not too many creatures can survive under such high concentration of calcium carbonate; among these are some fishes with a special kind of scales on their body. Water. . . . . . . . . . . what a precious and wonderful liquid!
retireediary 
Reblogged this on StanfordGirl.
Thank you StanfordGirl for reblogging this on!
Very true, very natural 🙂
What seems so natural and abundant also seems so rare. Thank you StandfordGirl!
Hopefully, what seems so rare, will be taken care of. It is just a matter of difference of thought.
Yes, thank you!
🙂 🙂
Can’t say I’ve ever seen water this clear! Thanks for sharing!
Another place where I have seen such clear water is the Plitvice lakes in Croatia ( covered in my previous post). Thanks for your continued perusal!
Lovely photo, Michael!
If you like photography, we’d like to invite you to participate in our next Travel Photography Competition. Here are the details:
http://hitchhikershandbook.com/your-contributions/travel-photography/
Happy travels!
Many thanks for the invitation; will particpate when a suitable theme comes up. Thanks!
Stunning, dreamy, beautiful….
Indeed, one of the most stunning sceneries I have come across. Thank you island traveller!
Good post, Michael, and wonderful pic. 🙂
Thank you adinparadise for your ever supporting comment!
I love the shades of blue in the water.
Thank you Margaret!
Looks really, really magical!
Thank you A Gracious Life!
Michael, quite often I follow your blog and “like” it. I sometimes even comment. However, I am confused when I see that you “like” my blog about 15 seconds after it’s been published, since it’s quite unusual to read more than 1000 words in that amount of time. The “like” is nice to get, but really only if one bothers to really like it.
Hi Rachel, as many of the blogs I am following are photography blogs, determining whether I like a photo in about 15 seconds is usally sufficent. Unfortunately, sometimes I have carried this habit into viewing post with images and text. I must admit this is not sufficient even though I have learnt speed reading. There are instances I reversed my opinion and I have to click “unlike” after reading the whole text. Your posts are usually of a good quality and certainly deserves a closer perusal. Thanks for the candid comment! Michael
Your beautiful photo is tempered by the reality that we are looking at a future where countries may be invading other countries for this precious commodity. National Geographic printed a very interesting graph (September 2012 issue p. 28) showing Agriculture accounts for 92% of humanity’s water footprint on earth. The raising of beef uses more than twice as much as the next closest item (sheep/goat). Roots, cereals, vegetables using the least. Makes me feel even better about my personal food choices.
Yes, for this reason alone, we should be eating less meat. For me, two out of seven dinners in a week are vegetarian only. We should also see how we can improve our technology in recycling water. Thanks for the comment!
Stunning!
Thank you forever touched!
Beautiful body of water, curious how deep it is. Great shot!! 🙂
Hi John, there are quite a few lakes there; their depths range from several metres to 103m the deepest. Regards, Michael
You’re right – water is both precious and beautiful (as you show so well in this stunning image). I’m currently based in Southern California, and as a native of the UK miss everything that the rain gives us there, especially how amazing it is to walk past a waterfall hidden in the woods.
It is relativiely dry in Southern California, I can understand you feelings, having lived in the UK for a year. I have other photos taken while walking past waterfalls hidden in the woods – if interested, please see my Plitvice Lakes under Croatia travels. Regards, Michael
mesmerizing colors ….
Glad that you find it soothing. thank you!