From our original vantage this dam looked like a muddy puddle.

Down and up close the receding water revealed drying and cracked mud, pock marked with animal tracks testament to the importance of this water on local grazing sheep.

The stark barren nature of this place is absolutely a product of clearing and grazing. Not so far from here there are untouched places to compare that look nothing like this muddy puddle in the hillside.

Photo: Robert Rath, ‘Day 458, Muddy Puddle’ 1/160s f/10 ISO50 15mm