My pond runs all winter, zone 2/3

[callingcolleen1]

Yesterday afternoon the sun was bright and the weather has been very nice considering this is Canada.
The fish looked great, basking in the sun, surrounded by a forest of lush green algae, hornwort, and wandering aquatic mint. Pond heater has been off now for many days.
Come sit and look at the fresh fish pictures and have a coffee or your favorite drink.... and look deep into the water, see the sleepy fish are starting to waken with the bright afternoon sun. The water is ice cold, but the fish have no signs of disease or sickness, and after 22 winters of leaving the fish outside with the pumps running, all is still good. I really believe the ice cold water is good for them, kills off natural aquatic parasites and other things that may bug them!

Lets be happy today cause Spring is on the Way!

 

[sissy]

fish with a tan .what next :razz:

 

[callingcolleen1]

Have you ever noticed that the gold fish from the pet store, their orange and reds colors are much paler than the fish in your pond? Couple years ago after the blue heron ate a bunch of my goldfish, I went to the pet store to get some cheap goldfish comets and I noticed that they were very pale when compared to the pond fish. Their colors have since turned darker and more vibrant now that they are outside. I think this may be due to a combation of better food and the sun kissed look!

 

[addy1]

better food, outside living, fish are happier outside........imho. Well until a heron comes along.

 

[callingcolleen1]

Well that bad Blue Heron can't come back cause I got the "heron twine" high above the pond so no place for him to land or spread his big wings!

Addy, I was checking out your "early days of spring" on your thread, have you gone back yourself to look over the pictures again? I know I have been looking at my last spring pictures on my other thread, it's kinda like a journal now, I will compare this years growth to last years, when spring gets here, to see if the yellow flag blooms earlier or later this year. The only thing is I wish I had started my thread a month or two earlier to compare better. I hope my threads never disappear cause they sure are nice to look back on!

Quick picture out the window with this tablet, picture not nearly as nice as the cell phone takes!

 

[sissy]

I would probably strangle myself with that set up .

 

[callingcolleen1]

That's why I put it above my head, otherwise I may strangle myself too! It works and much better than having a net over the pond all summer! Hey you could hang colorful patio lights over twine too for the extra gaudy look! He he

 

[sissy]

disco pond LOL

 

[callingcolleen1]

Well I left the heater plugged in today while at work, weather was very nice, above freezing, and the ice was melting fast. The fish said to quit cheaping out on the heat and were very happy to have the warmer water and were swimming around much more!
Spring is comming very soon now, this time for sure! Saw the geese down by their river nesting area in very large numbers. Tried to get a picture but before I had a chance to get the camera out Bad Bear ran and chased them away!

Today by the pond....

 

[j.w]

Ahhhhhhhh now don't be too hard on poor Bear..............it's the only job he could find in this economy and it doesn't pay that well either cuz all he gets is room/board and meals....................well he does get those extra snuggles

 

[callingcolleen1]

Yes, both puppies get lots of love and attention, both sit by table for supper, they sit on the couch with me, they squish me at night in the bed, if I go out to the back yard they have to come too. I have these" blanket thows" for the bed and couch that I try to match and they wash very nice. They get taken for a ride to the park every day and have a big run, and they have their "chores" after supper, Puppies pre-clean the plates and "dispose" of most leftovers. I can't help it, they look at me with big eyes, the puppies are just part of the family and they need me as much as I need them. Were a "needy" family!

 

[brandonsdad02]

I couldn't agree more Colleen. Our mr. Gunner is the same way. He loves going on car rides. Helps in the kitchen with keeping the floor clean, does yard "work" and keeps our heating bill low by snuggling with us in bed every nigh. He has been sleeping in our bed with us since he was 4 months old. The first night home with our king size bed we were all laying in bed and just fell asleep with him between us and it has been that way ever since.

 

[callingcolleen1]

Now if only I could train them to dig and "fluff" up the garden in the early spring BEFORE I plant then I would not have to rototill! Ha ha

 

[j.w]

That is another thing I remember about having a dog..........they do keep the floor clean don't they. Almost as good as one of those round robot vacuum thingy's,actually maybe better cuz they do the dishes too :razz:

 

[pecan]

I am amazed your fish are up swimming around in a zone 2/3. My pond in our zone 7 is still covered in at least 4" of ice and a few inches of snow other than the hole where my air stones are. I have not seen my fish in months
When is your normal last frost date Colleen?