Gonna Build a Little Pond
- Thread starter Amarok
- Start date
Got home an hour or so ago. Since then I have put 30 rosy red minnows in the pond and planted 5 caraganas and 3 Northern Red Currants.
I also got a little bit of hang time with my boy, Scruff.
He's about 7 feet from me in these pics.
Stuffing his face.
Chillin'
Face is stuffed. Look at that double chin.
Still have to plant the Virginia Creepers, but for now they can chill in the cool basement. It's time for me and the B-0 to hang for a bit.
I also got a little bit of hang time with my boy, Scruff.
He's about 7 feet from me in these pics.
Stuffing his face.
Chillin'
Face is stuffed. Look at that double chin.
Still have to plant the Virginia Creepers, but for now they can chill in the cool basement. It's time for me and the B-0 to hang for a bit.
They scattered around while they checked out the new digs. but now most of them are hanging out under the return stream and seem to be settling in.
No floaters yet, so that's a positive sign. I got these guys because they are supposed to be incredibly hardy. They don't uproot plants like goldfish and should help keep both insects and plant debris in check.
No floaters yet, so that's a positive sign. I got these guys because they are supposed to be incredibly hardy. They don't uproot plants like goldfish and should help keep both insects and plant debris in check.
Is there a commonly available book you could recommend to help identify Alberta birds?
I am seeing so many varieties I never noticed before.
A website is okay, but I'd like something I can have pond-side that I can flip through. There are so many little details to remember when trying to put a name to them. Plus the sexual dimorphism (getcher shit together spellcheck, that is correct) adds another facet to identification.
--------------
Took a 17 day old C99 sprout and put it in a 10" square basket on top of the biofilter yesterday. I didn't harden it off, or even rinse it; just popped it out of the 2" pot and into the larger one, on top of hydroton, and topped off by some coco/perlite. It was already evening and cooling off when I put it out, and it hit 6C overnight.
This morning it looked happy, leaning into the sun.
Be fun to see how this one does.-------------
Fish seem fine, even after a minor overnight pump issue.
The new skimmer works awesome, surface of the pond has zero debris. It nearly time to start getting the skimmer, hose and cord more permanently set and hidden now they have proven to work well. I also have a bunch of seeding and other "finishing" type tasks to do.
....or I could run down to the river for a while
?
Hugh Jass
Canna-Mycologist
These are the ones I use: Sibley's Field Guide to Birds of Western North America
Since you seem to be poised to go down this rabbit hole sooner than later:
Attachments
Thanks very much, Hugh.
I'll keep an eye out next time I'm in town. I need to hit a bookstore anyway.
As for being a photog, naw. A video feed from the pond is about as far as I plan to go.
First, photography on any serious level is not an expense I'm willing to take on.
Second, as I've mentioned before, I tend to be too caught up in doing to worry about preserving. Almost every time I'm out and I think "I should stop and get some pics" my next thought is "No, I'm busy. If someone wants to see this, they are very welcome to join me".
Selfish? Maybe, but I'm comfortable with that. I try to be generous in other ways.
I'll keep an eye out next time I'm in town. I need to hit a bookstore anyway.
As for being a photog, naw. A video feed from the pond is about as far as I plan to go.
First, photography on any serious level is not an expense I'm willing to take on.
Second, as I've mentioned before, I tend to be too caught up in doing to worry about preserving. Almost every time I'm out and I think "I should stop and get some pics" my next thought is "No, I'm busy. If someone wants to see this, they are very welcome to join me".
Selfish? Maybe, but I'm comfortable with that. I try to be generous in other ways.
GoogledIs there a commonly available book you could recommend to help identify Alberta birds?
I am seeing so many varieties I never noticed before.
A website is okay, but I'd like something I can have pond-side that I can flip through. There are so many little details to remember when trying to put a name to them. Plus the sexual dimorphism (getcher shit together spellcheck, that is correct) adds another facet to identification.
--------------
Took a 17 day old C99 sprout and put it in a 10" square basket on top of the biofilter yesterday. I didn't harden it off, or even rinse it; just popped it out of the 2" pot and into the larger one, on top of hydroton, and topped off by some coco/perlite. It was already evening and cooling off when I put it out, and it hit 6C overnight.
This morning it looked happy, leaning into the sun.
-------------
Fish seem fine, even after a minor overnight pump issue.
The new skimmer works awesome, surface of the pond has zero debris. It nearly time to start getting the skimmer, hose and cord more permanently set and hidden now they have proven to work well. I also have a bunch of seeding and other "finishing" type tasks to do.
....or I could run down to the river for a while
?
Hugh Jass
Canna-Mycologist
Oh, sure, sure, sure....Thanks very much, Hugh.
I'll keep an eye out next time I'm in town. I need to hit a bookstore anyway.
As for being a photog, naw. A video feed from the pond is about as far as I plan to go.
First, photography on any serious level is not an expense I'm willing to take on.
Second, as I've mentioned before, I tend to be too caught up in doing to worry about preserving. Almost every time I'm out and I think "I should stop and get some pics" my next thought is "No, I'm busy. If someone wants to see this, they are very welcome to join me".
Selfish? Maybe, but I'm comfortable with that. I try to be generous in other ways.
Pretty soon now, and it won't be long, you're going to be all,
"Did you see my latest bird pic? He's looking right at me!!!"
Nope, no need. Somebody has already taken better pics than I ever will, I just have to link them.
For example, this is my latest ID at the pond, the Bohemian Waxwing. The variety of colours and the contrast is really cool. There's a small group that visit.
It's fun, I'll be messing around by the pond and slowly become aware of increasing bird noise and activity in the trees and on the fence. They come for a drink and a bath and if I'm there they just wait until I leave or sit quietly in a lawn chair. Then they all swoop down and start splashing around, multiple species together.
Hugh Jass
Canna-Mycologist
OK, OK... Simply reminding you that you've already posted 3 pics of Scruff... the seed has been planted...
Nope, no need. Somebody has already taken better pics than I ever will, I just have to link them.
For example, this is my latest ID at the pond, the Bohemian Waxwing. The variety of colours and the contrast is really cool. There's a small group that visit.
It's fun, I'll be messing around by the pond and slowly become aware of increasing bird noise and activity in the trees and on the fence. They come for a drink and a bath and if I'm there they just wait until I leave or sit quietly in a lawn chair. Then they all swoop down and start splashing around, multiple species together.
(You're gonna have years and years of enjoyment from this project.)
Psychobilly
?Muenster
Go ahead Amarok... flip him the bird....
Jewels
Tilts at Tables
I was reading up on their breeding habits.
With their affinity for pockets, caves and overhangs; you have inadvertently built the perfect breeding habitat for them.
I have seen this as far North as Wabum L.
Good fry cover and oxygenator.
I definitely need some plants. The minnows love hiding in the rocks but that's about their only shelter. I put a couple containers in and put some shade branches around, but more is needed.
I can't believe how clear this is. The latest skimmer is fantastic and the filter is already working well:
( I started this post a while ago, but I got called outside to hang with the crows. So happy we are getting back into our routine now the bluejays have been dealt with.)
There's lots around here. I have a tree in the front yard that they raid every fall.
Jewels
Tilts at Tables
Heard of this, although I've never actually seen it.
Psychobilly
?Muenster
Irish Pigeon!
Can't recall if I posted it, but I took a pic my first year here of a little bird sitting on my front step, just hammered from fermented berries. I got within a foot of him and no reaction so I just let him be.. Eventually he sobered up and took off, but he was right out of it.
I'm off to vote, but wanted to share a quick story:
I went out to water the caragana plugs on the front border a few days ago and found one laying beside the hole. Shit, must have laid that one out and forgot to plant it. Dummy!
I was feeling like a bonehead, figuring the plant would likely die and I could only blame myself.
Yesterday I went out again and found a different one laying by the hole. WTF? I carried along and found two more, pulled up and left within a foot of the hole.
Okay, that wasn't me. The weed I grow isn't THAT good.
Then I realized encouraging the presence of very inquisitive, intelligent, and 'claws-and-beak-on' creatures can have some surprises. Little shits.
I replanted the plugs while looking at my crow buds and telling them to leave them alone this time. I also added some cedar mulch and packed them in a little better. Fingers crossed on survival.
Have a good one.
I went out to water the caragana plugs on the front border a few days ago and found one laying beside the hole. Shit, must have laid that one out and forgot to plant it. Dummy!
I was feeling like a bonehead, figuring the plant would likely die and I could only blame myself.
Yesterday I went out again and found a different one laying by the hole. WTF? I carried along and found two more, pulled up and left within a foot of the hole.
Okay, that wasn't me. The weed I grow isn't THAT good.
Then I realized encouraging the presence of very inquisitive, intelligent, and 'claws-and-beak-on' creatures can have some surprises. Little shits.
I replanted the plugs while looking at my crow buds and telling them to leave them alone this time. I also added some cedar mulch and packed them in a little better. Fingers crossed on survival.
Have a good one.
