Take a Second Look

Our peaceful little pond, on closer observation, is actually a hotbed of activity in the warmer months of the year. In the photograph above, one of our resident goldfish comes to the surface to beg for food. Most of our fish are pretty skittish, but this one allows you to pet her. She's the biggest and the boldest! There are ten goldfish in all who call the pond their home...but they are not the only ones who live in this watery realm. Frogs and red-earred newts peacefully share their living space with the fish.

Many of the woodland animals visit the pond to quench their thirst. The white tailed deer are frequent visitors at dusk. A group of them gather at one end and take turns getting a drink. Squirrels and a variety of birds also come throughout the day to sip from the cool pond water.

Several years ago, a special visitor paid a visit, the elusive American Woodcock. I had never seen a woodcock before and needed to refer to a field guide to check out this chubby bird's identity. It's a bird rarely seen because it blends really well with it's woodland environment, it's mottled feathers matching the browns of the forest. The woodcock has a long spiky beak and makes an odd, characteristic bobbing motion with its head.

One of our hummingbird feeders sits at the back of the pond and is the site of the comings and goings of many a hungry hummingbird. These tiny birds need to consume a lot of calories to support their energetic lifestyles. Almost a match in size to the hummingbirds are the dragonflies that frequent the airspace over the pond in summertime in their quest for the many insects that also hover about the water. They can be seen roving about, zipping at lightning quick speed when snaring a catch.

At night time, bats appreciate the many additional insects that are available to feed upon because of the pond. They soar high above the water and dart to and fro, catching their meals in midair. From late June until the end of July, the night sky around the pond comes alive with the blinking lights of tiny fireflies, their luminous, twinkly beacons creating a fantasy-like aura.



So, this peaceful oasis, that on first glance looks so invitingly calm, on second glance keeps you captivated and looking further. A left click of your mouse on the photographs will give you larger, clearer images. In the larger image, you may be able to make out the iris flower in the left hand front corner of the photo above that was featured in a previous blog.