Robert Mitchell Photography

VERNAL POND ATOP ENCHANTED ROCK, CENTRAL TEXAS

Caption: VERNAL POND ATOP ENCHANTED ROCK, CENTRAL TEXAS
Location: Enchanted Rock, Llano Uplift, Central Texas
Copyright: © Robert & Linda Mitchell
Photographer Code: STA-ENC-16-18
AGPix ID: AGPix_RoLiMi24_0686
Digital Original
Comments: A granitic magma has pushed its way up through overlying limestones in Central Texas, an area known generally as the Llano Uplift, to form the large dome known today as Enchanted Rock. This is a place of recreation & of biological & geological significance. On top of the dome exfoliation has produced depressions that hold water temporarily after rains. In these "vernal ponds" or "vernal pools" an aquatic fauna rapidly develops to include fairy shrimp, tadpole shrimp, clam shrimp, rotifers, water bears, etc. Plant succession has led to permanent plant communities of various sizes in different depressions, as seen here. Enchanted Rock is a study in succession. Nice cloud reflections are seen in this shallow pool. Enchanted Rock is the 2nd largest granitic exfoliation dome in the U.S.