Water Lily Archives

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 …

Yard and Pond – Late August

August 28, 2017 @ 12:17 pm

Catching up – haven’t posted for a while. Some pics from Jerie’s gardens and my pond. In late August. Been a balmy summer here. A bit spoiled now. We are.

The very black eye, of a Black Eyed Susan

Hens and Chicks ... AKA Audrey when in bloom. — Hens and Chicks … AKA Audrey when in bloom.

One dark red water lily blossom, reflections abound

The dock reflected in the pond - icy clear — The dock reflected in the pond – icy clear

Phrags reflecting on the surface, dock in foreground

Jerie knows what these are .. I sure don't. But they are pic-worthy. — Jerie knows what these are .. I sure don’t. But they are pic-worthy.

An utterly gorgeous lily, from Jerie's side door garden. — An utterly gorgeous lily, from Jerie’s side door garden.

Blossoms, Branches and …

Return of the Water Lilies

April 30, 2017 @ 12:22 pm

The water lilies I’d planted in spring of 2016 have come back. They survived the winter. And the muskrats.

Thanks mainly to our outdoor water lovin muskrat munchin deck cats.

They removed (know what I mean) all of the horrible water lily munchin muskrats early last spring – and have kept them out ever since.

We planted 24 new water lilies this month as well (they’ll show up in force by mid-June) – and will be restocking fish on the 13th of May – Fathead Minnows and Blue Gills.

Pond Sightings – Jerie and I have both spotted plenty of frogs already, herons, two Canadian geese,

1 mallard, various bugs, some dragon flies, the ubiquitous red wing blackbirds (they love reeds and ponds), two water snakes – adult and juvi … and the occasional chocolate lab.

This one eats water lilies. We’re training him not to do that.

Plus … this dandylion …

The Pond Today

Muskrat Damage to the Pond

September 2, 2015 @ 11:39 am

Ouch … those ratty muskrats!!!

Just one month ago …

One month ago, water lilies untouched ... — One month ago, water lilies untouched …

And now, this …

Water lilies, after one month — No more water lilies, after one month of muskrats

So, I managed to get off one good shot

Just one shot, for many many hours of hunting, sitting still, in a chair, down by the pond. Had ratty in the crosshairs, pulled the trigger, and he dived. No blood. The next day, he or another muskrat, was seen crossing the pond with a mouth full of plant matter. They are so careful. Trapping’s the only way – and I haven’t been able to find their hole, this season. Not yet. And now, it’s too late to save the pond – but I will eradicate those muskrats, this year, anyway.

First Sightings – Hummingbirds and Water Lilies

May 20, 2015 @ 8:30 am

Hummingbird's point of view ... — Hummingbird’s point of view …

Corey spotted a Ruby Throated hummingbird a couple days ago. I saw my first this morning, while Jerie was feeding the outdoor cats. The hummer hovered about the feeder, warily watching the cats, one of which was quite curious – and the hummer decided not today.

Later today, I’ll get something to raise that feeder a few more feet from the deck railing.

And yesterday, we saw our first water lily pads. Took the pic today. Don’t know if it’s a survivor from last year, or from the ones I planted a few weeks ago. Two plants pads are still under the water’s surface – should poke up late today.

First Water Lily Visible

May 19, 2015 @ 6:58 pm

First Time This Year – One water lily leaf is visible on the surface. Two from other plants are visible below the surface. Tomorrow, should be 3 plants with visible leaves.

No sign of any live muskrats.

The brown coloring in the water showed up again. Like last spring.

Very wet behind the pond. It leaks, you know. From the muskrats. My my.