We love the grass snakes in/around our pond, but listening to a #frog being predated by a #GrassSnake is always a gruesome experience.
However, without #predation there are no #snakes. Unusual is the late time of the day (about 6 pm) and the overcast sky. Usually the snakes hunt in full sun.
@feinschmeckergarten how amazing to be able to witness nature at its most basic and rudimentary level. And how amazing that you've built a place that allows all that sometimes terrible magic to unfold 💗
@TraRay Many people ask, if the pond isn't a lot of work.
But the most time it takes, is to watch:
Dragonfly larvae metamorphosing into imagines, flying away on soft wings.
Swallows diving into the water , catching insects.
Male newts trying to impress the females.
How many hours may I have spent lying flat on the ground staring into the water?
It is absolute luxury to have this "unproductive" body of water, that is free of fish.
How is your pond coming along. Is your son happy with the output?
@feinschmeckergarten we constantly marvel at how life has seemingly spontaneously taken over! The tadpoles are my personal favorite to watch, though there is a whole web of life that's taken shape in and around those waters, just as you describe. K is still trying to figure out how to harvest some of the fish... They refuse to bite a hook and have far too many hiding places for easy netting. Overall, he - and everyone else - is thrilled with the pond. It's everything we'd hoped it would be.
👍 @TraRay That sounds great!
Have you tried fish traps? Here, I would use something like willow to build them.
When I wanted to check the population of #crayfish in our #pond, I built a makeshift #FishTrap of two 5l water bottles.
Initially, my wife laughed at me - until we checked next morning.
I baited with some meat and it worked like a charm.
@feinschmeckergarten we have, but not of that design and only halfheartedly. Thanks for the idea! I'll show it to the boys and see if they get serious about it. 💗
@TraRay Good luck with catching the fish and your son's marketing plans!