February flying reminded me of the “water cycle” that land-based life depends on, starting with this view of the Devereux Slough. Clouds over the channel South of Campus Point were inching inland carrying water picked up from the ocean, purified by evaporation.
In the hills to the North, water that had previously fallen on the mountain slopes above was finding its way down waterfalls on a private road just above Goleta.
0146 Private Paradise
Higher up the slope we saw many other seasonal falls like this one tumbling from a quiet pond, and carving shapes into sandstone laid down in ancient seas.
0149 Passing Delight
One of my favorite local waterfalls was running even during the drought near San Marcos Pass just below a bend in highway 154. After the strong recent rain there it was gushing.
0153 Fast Water
From a different angle you can see how ripples in the flow interact with undulating ripples in the smooth rock beneath.
0156 Dual Ripples
Revisiting the popular Seven Falls, even in light dimmed by gathering high clouds the flow there looked stronger too.
0162 Seven Falls
On maximum zoom the camera provided a better look at the many beautiful pools beneath this string of short waterfalls.
0164 Bubbling Pools
We relish how this region ranges from the austerity of near desert conditions sometimes, to verdant seasons of misty moisture. Looking toward the East along Montecito’s coast was this summary view softened by water in air, sea and vegetation.
0182 Season of Plenty
John & Anne Wiley 
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