Dark Waters

 This spring the water in the pond was so dark we had trouble seeing the Goldfish.  The last time this happened, it was an abundance of green algae.  I solved the problem with a UV filter.  It worked well for a number of years until now.  I suspected the UV bulb was dead but first I checked the filter and it was clogged with slime.  I cleaned it and a couple of days later the pond water was getting cleaner.  The process takes a couple of weeks so we know soon if the problem is solved but at least I have a better view of the fish.

Japanese Maple Trees

 Our two Maples on the front porch continue to thrive.  Last month the whiskey barrel planters they called home for a number of years were rotting and falling apart.  After some searching, I found some plastic look alike planters.  The challenge was to transplant the trees without damaging them.  My wife and I struggled with the weight of the dirt but finally got them into the new pots.  So far the trees look good so maybe the transplant was successful.

More Critter Pictures

 An interesting Goldfish phenomenon has occurred twice.  This morning when I checked the pond, I found a Goldfish laying on the liner just above the waterline.  The same thing happened a week ago.  I moved the Goldfish back into the water and it swam away.  I don't know if this is some kind of a beaching like whales and dolphins sometimes do.  I would warn the Goldfish that laying there he's in clear view of the Owls and Hawks.  The other day I saw this good sized lizard on the side of the house.  He stayed there for more than an hour with me doing work in the area.  I figured he must have been waiting for a picture so here it is. 

Critter Pictures

We always have an abundance of critters and occasionally they pose for the camera. This first one is a great closeup of a squirrel sitting on top of one of the filters. I don't know what he was watching but he seemed very focused on something. The other night I heard what sounded like an entire family of owls hooting an hollering around the pond. At least one of them took the opportunity to go fishing. You can see all the flower petals from the Cherry tree floating on the pond. That is the downside of a beautiful tree as all those petals are not particularly good for the pond environment.