The river has laid down stepping-stones to some. On one of these miniature wildernesses, it is possible to imagine that the canyon does not exist. Whips of green willow branches drape down to the water s edge, so thick that they enclose the tiny clearing within. Fluffy seeds float through the air. A nest lined with down lies hidden deep in the brush.
Ducks paddle nearby, patrolling the shore.
A sharp smell of decay comes from the black muck, the decay that will bring forth more life. The Los Angeles River never stops flowing, never stops recreating itself. It is ours to discover in all its incarnations. Things to Do Friends of the Los Angeles River is looking for volunteers to help monitor water quality of the river and tributaries, including the Arroyo Seco. When the Clinton administration last January announced new protections for wild areas in one-third of the country s national forests, the move was hailed as a major step to preserve America s heritage.