Thanks Sissy, I am on YouTube quite frequently looking at the pond and pond construction videos. They help a lot.
So Lou, what kind of trees did you plant to shade your pond from the Texas sun, and do you do anything special to deal with the leaves?
Two Louisiana Bald Cypress and one Oklahoma Red Bud. I do not use netting due to potential danger to birds and animals. Leaves are a problem. Lot's of leaf removal using a pool pole and skiming net. Have my pond professionally cleaned each year. It's well worth it though since our pond, trees and yard is a dedicated haven for wildlife and a tranquil setting for us.
Shade sails sound like a good idea. As I'm sure you are aware our North Texas winds can be very strong throughout the year. Admittedly, I'm not familiar with shade sails yet I will suggest you insure they are vented so consistent winds do not send your sails ah sailing away! LOL. We live very mere yards away from the peak of a very high hill so we have wind all the time. Looking forward to your future photo's.