As with all of nature and all of living things, our yard and our ponds are changing through the years.
Stream in 2003 (year 2)
Pond in 2003 (year 2)
Pond in the fall 2003 (year 2)
Pond and stream in winter
Our stream in 2004
Pond in 2005
Stream in 2005
Pond in 2008
At this point, we’re learning how well plants grow in water!
We’re about to remove some of the excess vegetation.
Stream in 2010
Reflections
Animals of all kinds are drawn to a water garden, whether it is in the city or the countryside. Small insects and mammals can exist on rainwater, puddles, or morning dew, but both they and larger creatures will be attracted to any new source of clean water. Birds will come to bathe on hot days. Squirrels, chipmunks, raccoons, opossums, and other mammals will come to drink and play. Even if you only have room for a simple pool built from a washtub, you can still have a lovely water garden that’s visited by an amazing variety of wildlife.
~ Craig Tufts and Peter Loewer, Gardening for Wildlife, p. 77