Gonna Build a Little Pond

[Psychobilly]

If that crow hoarded food, the others will shun it. They work together to make sure all are fed, and when one doesn't help, they don't like it.

As for fish, the bigger the mass, the more water you need. Tiger in a crate is a good example, as a huge fish requires a lot of space, but it's worth it in my opinion; big Catfish are my favorite fish to keep. I'd have a Leopard but I can't afford to fence in 2 miles, so I just don't go to a zoo so the temptation stays away.

I know of a single Wels Catfish kept in captivity in America; it was bought back before they were banned, and lives in a 35,000 gallon pond in Florida. They can live 80 years so it'll be around a while. I'd love to visit and pet him. But it's too hot there. The Wels doesn't like the heat either, and I've seen footage of it attacking the owner when he moved it to the pond lol.

 

[Amarok]

Seeing some cool colour on the outdoor Blueberry Muffin. She's turning almost black. No expectations of harvest, this was just to see what would happen in my climate.

 

[Amarok]

Same with this C99. I had an extra sprout, so I planted the 2" high plant right in the ground, just to see the result. It didn't get much help as far as nutes or any real attention.

 

[Amarok]

I think today was the first day I didn't see the crows in the yard. It was cool and rained on and off all day so I wasn't outside as much as usual, but I wasn't even hearing them when I was out. Last year I think they stopped visiting in August, so if it's done for the year, it was a nice bonus having them right to the end of September.

Still lots of smaller birds visiting the pond, and still plenty of geese and cranes overhead, noisily making their way south.

The barrel in the basement is about half full of mostly pond water. Haven't added air or circulation yet, but that will come shortly.

Pond is still bursting with fish. If babies have finally stopped hatching, it's only recently.

 

[Amarok]

Crows are back today.

 

[Frimpong]

Crows are back today.

Fuckin crows man , my arch nemesis. Too smart those bastards

 

[Amarok]

Fuckin crows man , my arch nemesis. Too smart those bastards

If you can't beat 'em....

They even fit well with your brand: Freak, haunted mansion, a murder of crows for pals, it's organic.

 

[Amarok]

Can't believe how many flowers are still in bloom, with more still blossoming, especially considering it could snow any day at this time of year.


(as always, photo is cropped and resized, with no other alteration or filter)

 

[Amarok]

Poor crows were so jumpy today, trying to feed in the heavy wind.

For a creature whose survival depends on being aware of every sound and movement, this is awful weather. They'd land on the lawn and everything above and around them was noisily rocking and swaying and tumbling and falling.

 

[Amarok]

Rain barrel in the basement is circulating and aerated. It isn't crystal clear, but I can see bottom. I added a plant from outside and dropped in a couple tiny fish. I just saw a very small snail, too. Need to buy some food before I bring more fish in. There is a single LED providing light on a 16/8 schedule, but I will add a few more watts as the set-up progresses.

I'd like to bring in a couple other aquatic plants, but may have to set up the 20G aquarium to do so.

Would have loved to set up a couple hundred gallon stock tank in the basement, but it wouldn't go down the stairs.

 

[Jewels]

like to bring in a couple other aquatic plants, but may have to set up the 20G aquarium to do so.

Did I see Nymphaea ,in the pond?
Any of those bulb/tubar/ ryhsome rooted plants are super adept at dormancy.
Ice cream bucket full of hydroton, little bit of water, put it on a shelf in the basement.

You up for a pun run ?
My brain pump has trouble filtering the aquatic output.
I become immersed in this topic and the turbulent flotsam increases.
Trouble is , I would estimate that we share a similar threshold tolerance of 'know-it-alls'

Observations form themselves into comments. Comments invite questions and statements. Soon to follow comes opinions and advice.
I always struggle to reply, because I don't know where my text will land on the spectrum.

What am I getting at?
Throw Jewels the occasional bone,,,pepper a couple of question marks in there for me 😁

 

[Amarok]

What am I getting at?
Throw Jewels the occasional bone,,,pepper a couple of question marks in there for me 😁

Your input is always welcome and appreciated. Truly.

I don't tend to seek help because my asks went unanswered for the most crucial times of my life, so I learned to just not ask. Given that, sincere help and support is appreciated by me more than most, even if I have difficulty showing it at times.

Never feel like you are coming off as a 'know-it-all' if you end up typing more, or more in-depth, than you intended. Let it flow, brother.

Did I see Nymphaea ,in the pond?
Any of those bulb/tubar/ ryhsome rooted plants are super adept at dormancy.
Ice cream bucket full of hydroton, little bit of water, put it on a shelf in the basement.

I have a pile of all the various plant tags, but I don't know where they are. I couldn't tell you the name of any of the aquatics right now. They lived, I ignored them.
Good to know about dormancy. That is a lot easier than setting up extra pumps, filters or whatever. I'm thinking this will help with the ultra low humidity I see in winter as well. 👊


The trouble is, I rarely stop. I pick something up, play with it a while until I'm satisfied, and then start learning about something new. Build a camper, a fishing hut, a pond, a fence; make seeds, reverse females, and so many other things... A lot of time I want to have the experience, to have done it with my own hands, even if it isn't a long term intense interest.

For example, I spent a lot of time reading and learing about plants/trees/bushes for the yard this year. That's done now. I have the knowledge base to draw on, but the main job is complete so I won't continue reading about trees and bushes.

I want the pond to be minimal maintenance with maximum service to local nature. I want to develop an annual routine with that in mind.
For example if tarps and air bubbles mean the pond (including fish) survive the winter, I may not do the barrel again. If the pond freezes to the bottom, I'll drain it next year and see about a larger basement container (assuming that experiment goes well).
The main thing is that it is always a pleasure and never becomes a chore.

 

[Jewels]

If the pond freezes to the bottom

I am imagining your neighbours head shaking, when you drag the ice auger into the yard.
Could just leave a tip-up in place, to keep them guessing.🌝

❄

____ฯ_____❄


🐟

🐡

 

[Amarok]

The basement barrel has cleared right up. The small fish and snails seem happy. The under-gravel circulation is cycling well. There's 50w of SILs providing light and energy. I'm very happy with this experiment so far, especially as the only cost was a $12 bag of gravel, with everything else being stuff I already had.

I just dropped the minnow trap in the pond to try to get the last few adults and some of the bigger young. I'd prefer to leave only tiny ones in the pond, with the presumption they will require less resources over the winter.

I have all the material for the pond cover(I think) so I'll be watching the forecast. I want to leave it open with the barrel filter going as long as I can, and then when Autumn gets serious it should just take a couple hours to knock together.

 

[Amarok]

Waxwings are back.
View attachment waxwings 1.mp4

 

[Jewels]

That one bout took off yer left ear !

 

[Amarok]

That one bout took off yer left ear !

I took a few little clips, but that one coming in over my shoulder was pretty cool. When they are all around me like that, I just sit there with a big, dumb grin.

 

[Amarok]

Pushing 20C here right now, absolutely beautiful day, especially for this time of year.

Just scored a cool addition for my basement barrel while fishing at the river(caught 3 wallies-1 really nice one, and a pike in the 2 foot range). I was looking at all the tiny clams on the sand and noticed one of the big'uns, over 3" across. Managed to hook him out with a stick and brought him home.

I'm guessing between 25 and 30 rosie reds are in the barrel, all sizes. It's been close to two weeks and all seems to be functioning as intended. The rosies are learning to overcome their fear of above water predators and have started recognizing me as being associated with food.

Sat out with the waxwings for a while last night. I only need to hold still for a minute or two to be considered part of the landscape and they start fluttering all around me. Actually saw two nearly have a full head-on mid-air collision, but they just smacked wings with an audible sound and carried on.

 

[BH]

Simply beautiful!

 

[Amarok]

Simply beautiful!

Thanks, man.
I'm gonna miss it in the winter, but the barrel is surprisingly enjoyable. I think having that little ecosystem to tend and observe will make winter a bit easier.