In Search of Carp

I recently spotted the survivor of the goldfish I added to my pond years ago, and was very excited a few days later when a friend offered me young Koi raised in her pond. Catching the babies was an entertaining challenge that made me want to go bragging to my fisherman friends.  We added about a dozen Koi to my pond, and I went down this morning in hopes of seeing how they are doing.

I think I have discovered what is happening to the world's frogs - they are migrating to the Pacific Northwest. Every step I took around the pond caused several frogs to leap into the safety of the water. There are egg masses attached to cattails and floating in shallow areas. There are actually only two species, I think (Pacific Tree Frogs and Red-Legged Frogs), but there are lots of those.

After a full circuit of the pond I saw what must be the original red goldfish, and maybe one of the red Koi. It's still not warm enough out for fish to be very active (unlike the frogs), so hopefully the others are hiding in the thick vegetation. 

Looking back on the early pictures of my pond, I'm amazed at how well it's developed. I don't know how the vegetation finds it way in, but there are now many kinds of plants in and around it. And then there are the frogs, salamanders, and water insects. I'm really enjoying seeing it become a more natural pond.

Blackberries...

The Himalayan blackberries have done exceedingly well this year; I am always surprised at their determination to take over my lower field. I spent a couple hours cutting them back to their side of the fence. All the lovely dark green bushes behind the fence are blackberries. Filled, this time of year, with luscious, tasty fruit.

The pond from a bit further back, to show the trees beginning to turn colors. Our late, spectacular summer is drawing to an early close. The berries won't mind - they have a 10 month growing season here.

Red Fish

Two years ago I bought half a dozen feeder goldfish to see if they would live in my pond. One has survived. I haven't seen him all summer, but today he was glowing brightly in his favorite spot among the cattails. He is growing.

Blackberry Takeover

Aren't they beautiful? Mouth watering? It's a bumper year for blackberries. Fruit and plants.

Those berries are from this patch, which is trying to take over the woods.

These are trying to take over the pond. You can see the fence in the depth. This growth has all taken place this summer.

A little further on the berries have almost totally covered the fence...

and are heading towards the house. Intervening field? No problem.

The four-hooved stock has been in this field a week, and these vines are now leafless (and, of course, berryless. Goats love berries.) I need to get down there and cut the bare vines back. First step in keeping the temperate jungle under control.

Survivor!

Last spring I bought 6 feeder goldfish to put in my pond, testing to see if it was habitable by fish. Sadly, the fish got Ich and all disappeared by fall. After our exceptionally long and cold winter I was sure there were no fish left.

But the last few days I've caught glimpses of red in the pond. A red in the shape of a rather large goldfish! I've only seen one, but he looks in good health.

While I was there this creature of the (not so) deep rose, stared at me for a few minutes, then sunk back down when the camera got too close.

Now that I know the pond really is fish-habitable I'm going to get some koi.

The Fish Saga

Two weeks after I released two dozen small goldfish into my pond, I noticed white spots of Ick (a fish parasite) on several of them. My fish expert friends assured me there was nothing I could do for them in a "wild" pond. Some ponds just aren't meant for fish.

I was so depressed by this news I didn't visit the pond and fish for a week. I didn't want to watch my fish dying. On Monday I steeled myself and followed Charlie to the pond.

Where I immediately saw a cluster of bright red-gold amid the cattails.

At least 10 fish survive, all plump, all noticeably larger than when released. None of them have Ick. They are healthily wary, keeping to the safety of the plants, keeping a distance between critters on the shore and themselves. They sink when birds fly overhead.

Perhaps my pond is a good place for fish. Now to get some waterlilies...

Go Fish

Last week I bought two dozen feeder goldfish to see if fish can survive in my pond. Somehow I never really recognized how large my pond is until I released those 24 fish into it. They immediately disappeared. I didn't see them again until today.

These fish are wary; good for their survival, not so good for picture taking. They stay near the center of the pond, moving away from any activity or dog barks.

I spent quite a bit of time watching them, trying to count them. Suddenly I saw a white flash and heard a very large splash. This guy came over to sunbathe near me.

Several dragonflies did flyovers, but they aren't particularly easy to photograph either. If you look closely one is resting on the stick by the pretty blue flowers.