water lilies Archives

A Pond Loving Morning with Charlie

June 7, 2019 @ 1:41 pm

Pond – Late Spring, Early Summer

June 28, 2018 @ 2:18 pm

Catching up, since last fall. The Minnows made it through the winter. They patrol the pond, and are busy breeding under the water lilies – you see ripples coming from the edges of the lily pads. Haven’t seen a blue gill yet – hmmmm. Of course, there are frogs, toads, etc. And flying birds. And snakes. And turtles. And fishing birds – Herons. The odd duck or two – they never stay. And beauty. So much so – I had to take some pics, and put em here.

Charlie says good bye …

The pond, cats, dogs, some water lilies and … muskrats?

May 21, 2017 @ 8:30 pm

Walking down to the pond this morning, without the dogs

The dogs - another time. — The dogs – another time.

as I got to within 80′ or so, I saw our two muskrat hunting cats (LittleShot and BigShot) peering out of the reeds blanketing the banks on the west side of the pond.

Cats were hunting in the reeds on the left side of this view

They were looking my way – to see if I had the dogs with me – as Charlie will go charging into the reeds after the cats – if I don’t catch him in time.

So glad they were able to continue their hunt in peace. I’ve seen them hunt in pairs before. That’s so cool.

I saw lily pads from 3 of our 20 or so newly planted water lilies today. Planted about a month back, most. Some a week back. Plus of course, the 15 or so returnees from last year …

It’s looking to be a good pond this summer – provided those two cats are able to work undisturbed. And they are able to keep the muskrats from getting the upper hand. (They will – they are tireless, patient, dedicated – and crafty – muskrat terminators) Those damn muskrats can clear a sumptuously planted pond of vegetation – in just a month or so – quickly turning it into a crappy mud hole. If they aren’t stopped. Love those kitties …

Canadian Geese Yesterday – abused water lilies today

May 8, 2017 @ 1:53 pm

Yowsa – went down to the pond this morning – and found 3 loose water lily pads floating. Left a message for the muskrat trapper. Then started to think a bit more – what else could do this? And the light went on, and I started googling – yeah. We had Canadian Geese on the pond yesterday. And today, water lily damage. Hmmm. And the various net gurus say – Geese love aquatic plants – including water lilies. And especially young ones – which is all I have growing this early in the season.

We will see – whether it was geese or muskrats.

Fortunately, if it was the geese – they are easy to dissuade. Simply start descending down towards the pond – and they take off.

Have a resident heron this year too. Again. But I researched them couple years back – and they do not eat water lilies. This heron waits till I’m half way down the hill – then it flies up into the branches of the willow trees behind the pond – waiting me out.