Litter in the Lake...What??
Some thoughts on conservation, let's start in our own backyard...litteraly!
As a nature photographer I feel as though I'm drawn to the natural world and all that mother nature has to offer. About three years ago Steve and I were very fortunate to come across a property for purchase in Northwest Indiana that sits on three lakes that are connected by linking waterways. It's a very special place in the country, off the beaten path. The lakes are non-recreational which means there is a ten mile per hour speed limit for boaters. So they're perfect for lazy afternoons in a fishing boat.
Sine we moved to the lakes I've taken up a new sport, kayaking. I look forward to the warm summers when I can just plunk my boat in the lake when it's early morning and everything is so still and peaceful. There are areas of the lake where there are no homes and it's like you went back in time. I can't tell you how much nature and wild animals that I've seen. It's a photographers dream. Although I must be honest. I haven't had the courage to tote along my photo gear as of yet. Kayak's aren't the most stable of water vessels. Some day I'll muster the courage I'm sure.
Back to my point. Something that I didn't expect to encounter in my new pastime is all of the garbage, litter and trash that I come across! I always make it a point to collect anything that I see. I use my paddle to gently maneuver myself towards the object and then reach in, pull it out of the lake and plunk it into my stow compartment. I always manage to bring back a few items after an hour or so of rowing but on this trip that I'm about to tell you about was an entirely different story altogether.
The time of year was mid summer and the height of fishing season. There was a little more traffic on the lake than usual but not too much to bothered by it. What did bother me however, more like shock me, was the amount of garbage that I had found. 
Bottles, cans, bags and styrofoam. Unreal! I really couldn't be live it! Here we are, on these beautiful lakes and they were littered with garbage. What a sad sight. I was so frustrated by the whole thing that I actually photographed my collection. All of this was gathered in under an hour of rowing.
I have a feeling that most of this collection came from an overpass that overlooks one of the lake channels. But no matter. There is no excuse for this!
Please, if you are ever on a body of water. Whether it's a small pond, or one of the worlds oceans, please please please do your part and do not litter. We all need to do our part and start in our own backyards.
~Kimberly
