South of Austin, Texas resides the college town of San Marcos, home to Texas State University. Starting just outside of campus is the San Marcos river, fed by Spring Lake, which is filled by water from the Edwards Aquifer. Believed to have been discovered by Europeans in 1689, 200 spring openings give life to eight endangered and threatened aquatic species. It is one of the oldest continually inhabited places in North America; Archaelogists have discovered artifacts in the area dating back more than 12,000 years. Swimming in the untouched, crystal clear 72 degree water is an amazing experience.
Want to capture images and video like this? Check out the specs of the X3000 and see if it's right for you. I like it much better than the GoPro Hero 5.
Don't release your fish into the wild!
These fish are non-native invasive species and have been released into the water by fish-tank owners who no longer want them. Don't do this, as it can upset the ecosystem of the river!
Underwater photography can be tough!
When the spillway and the dam meet, the water begins to really flow, and it is about waist high. Getting pictures of schools of fish gets harder!
Here's another lucky shot while getting carried down the river.
There are a lot of fish in the headwaters and elsewhere, and here's just a sample of them swimming in one of the more slower parts of the river.
The headwaters are the best for pictures and videos like these - but the adventure doesn't stop! Hope on a kayak and you can spend all day visiting beautiful sites along the river and having fun.
Credits:
All photo and videos by Chris Morley