Pond Life

It's almost time to start moving our koi fish into the new big pond. But the pond is already full of life.
The new filter system is almost complete and the goldfish we put in already seem to be enjoying their new home.

The lotus is growing and blooming. 

 

 

The newest resident is "Flip" the green frog. He likes to float in the shade under the lotus leaves.

 

 

A big dragonfly larvae.

 

 

 

 A wonderful surprise. . . the first goldfish we put in the pond have already spawned and we have little baby goldfish! These tiny goldfish will be brown in color, for protection, until they get a bit bigger. They are able to hide amongst the rocks around the side of the pond.

 

 

Trap door snails, collected from a local garden center's big natural pond, will eat algae from the sides of our pond and act as nature's cleaners.

Fluttering, Flying Garden Visitors

This time of year, the garden looks lush and mature and we have many small fluttering and flying visitors. The butterflies' beauty and miraculous metamorphosis is enchanting. And the dazzling dragonflies are attracted to our garden ponds.

A beautiful yellow swallowtail on a butterfly bush bloom.

And a delicate winged turquiose dragonfly on an oleander leaf.

I've attempted to capture their beauty in these photos. A search on Etsy for butterflies and dragonflies shows that these beautiful insects are inspiration to quite a few others, as well. Here are just a few of my fluttering and flying favorites from Etsy sellers and artists. Be sure to click on the photo, item name or shop name for more info on each of these beautiful pieces!

1902 Chromolithograph of North American Butterflies, from bananastrudel

An Adorable and Eco Friendly Organic Cotton and Hemp Blend Dress with a Dragonfly print, from ecoLoveOrganics

Mariposa - Monarch Butterfly OOAK Wool Felt Pin or Hair Clip, from pammydawn

Dragonfly keyhole series necklace, from UnderGlass


And this Tiny Collaged Playing Card Book FLUTTER BY BUTTERFLY, from ElizabethAbernathy