We just had a short holiday at Mammoth Lakes, California and vicinity. We stumbled upon some pristine lakes, the few that still had adequate water and a sliver of hope for our drought fraught state.

The vastness and variety of America’s natural landscapes never cease to amaze me. And I’m grateful for all those folks that strove, and still do, to keep these areas from commercial development. Humans have taken over most of the landmass, but because of these naturalists, the other species inhabiting earth still have a place to live. This Independence day, I wish that all species one day can live without fear from the largest predator. Humans.