Gaia was clever when she created the lily pad. Many tiny critters exploit its access to surface waters for bathing and drinking, like this Junco.
Froglets first meet sunny terrain on lily pads.
Water lilies and Louisiana irises have finally blossomed in my oldest pond, dug in 2005. I’m always impatient in the late Spring, waiting for their flowers.
We’re going for a Monet look in this pond, although two Rushes and some scattered wapatos are also flowering.
We need a better look at the irises.
I planted the irises in 8 inch deep black plastic trays, set on bricks so they are in a foot of warmer water in one corner of the pond. I used those kinds of trays when I worked as a busboy at the Buena Vista Cafe in San Francisco. (I eventually worked my way up to bouncer).
I like growing the irises in underwater trays because they are easy to lift out and split, which irises seem to need all too often.
I toss some nitrogen fertilizer into the trays when I remember, because irises need N. The goldfish like to swim into the trays, to enjoy the shallow warm water and dense plants, and to , um, mate. Sometimes there’s lot of splashing in there, as the female releases eggs and the male discharges sperm onto them.
The heron(s) noticed this and often hunt in the shallow water in the iris bins.
I don’t consider that sporting and complained to the heron, who responded with a profane GAAKK, and then shit and angrily flew away.
By 9pm, one could argue that the irises have rallied and won 3-0, because the lily flowers are all folded shut, while the irises still flaunt their open purple blossoms. Thanks for reading.
The Daily Bucket
is a nature refuge.
We amicably discuss animals, weather, climate, soil, plants, waters and such, and note life’s patterns spinning around us.
Phenology is how we take earth’s pulse.
The Bucket is a place to discuss what you see.
Each note, and your comments, adds to our understanding of life’s cycles. Please comment about your own natural area, and include photos if possible. We love photos!
To have the Daily Bucket in your Activity Stream, visit Backyard Science’s profile page and click on Follow, and join to write a Bucket of your observations.
NOW IT’S YOUR TURN
What have you noted in your area or travels? As usual, please post your observations and general location in your comments. I’m serving a year at �gardening servitude, but will check back.
Be sure to peruse Meteor Blade’s valuable "Spotlight on Green News & Views,” every Saturday at 5pm Pacific Time and every Wednesday at 3:30 Pacific Time on the Daily Kos front page. Please recommend and comment in the diary.