In drought-ridden California, who gets how much of the water?

This tiny bird from the family of fly catchers is overlooking a plush green lawn at the Mission Church of Soledad in California's Salinas Valley. It's his favorite place, because here he will find all kinds of small insects.

The Black Phoebe is catching his prey. The lawn he loves so much needs lots of water: One tenth of water use in the Golden State goes into irrigating gardens and parks. Most of that is needed for lawns like this.

Golf courses need a lot of water. But they are important to the economy of their local communities. That's why special rules apply: Golf courses may use more water than others, but must also meet tight environmental restrictions - like watering only at specific times. This course in Pacific Grove does not need much artificial irrigation - it gets ample dew and fog from the ocean.

This cow finds enough to chew. These pastures are not far away - in the Diablo mountain range between Salinas and San Juan Bautista. Everything is green, because during the first months of this year it rained almost as much as usually during the entire season.

The Guadalupe River Reservoir above Silicon Valley in May 2015. There is no sign of drought here. But not all lakes look like that. Especially the large reservoirs in the Sierra Nevada Mountains are emptier than usual after the snow melted. On average, the reservoirs are at only half of their capacity.

Four-fifths of all water used in California goes into agriculture. Here a farmer prepares his field. Without irrigation, he will not be able to start growing young plants. But he's fortunate: The soil is not dried out like in much of the Central Valley - farther east.

The wine-growers in the Salinas Valley don't have to be afraid either. These grapes have developed well. Traditionally, grapes in California are irrigated. But by using sensor-technology and limiting water use only to those plantations that really need it, wine growers can save a lot.

Succulents and other drought-resistant native plants can grow well without artificial irrigation. Many gardeners started exchange their plants years ago - so they can save water. And such a native garden is anything but ugly.

These turtles would probably agree. They live in the Hakone Garden in Saratoga. Nobody will challenge their right to a cool bath. Their pond is the center of a protected historical landmark. A Japanese-style family home with a generous garden around it - now owned by the city.

This water lillie is growing inside a small fountain in the yard of the Mission Church of Soledad. While the fountain has only a limited volume, it is a living quarter of goldfish, dragon flies and other small animals. Hardly any water evaporates here. Only few gallons have to filled in each week. But the tiny body of water gives the impression of a little oasis.

The Japanese Friendship garden in San Jose is a different place: Here the Koi live in a huge extended shallow pond. To compensate for the daily loss of water, gardeners have to refill regularly - directly from the fire-hydrant with a huge hose right into the pond.