Been off the forum for over a week. Had a pond nightmare and wasn't in the mood to talk ponding. I lost 3 fish not more than a few days before they were going back outside. If you're counting, that means I have two left. They're healthy and happy and out in the pond now. I talked to a few people about it including one who takes care of tons of fish and overall there could've been multiple factors that contributed, but long story short, all fish will be staying outdoors for future winters. There are just too many extra things that can go wrong by bringing them in. I hope to add some new fish to the pond next month. My seven baby fish are still doing great in the pond, too.
Moving past that disaster, and trust me, I'm ready to move on, let's talk about nature. I went walking last Thursday at a small woodland that I was told has salamanders. It's one of the only areas nearby that is known to have them. I flipped log after log and after not too long, I found two Blue-spotted Salamanders.
They were great finds, but equally as exciting, if not more exciting, was finding a specie of snake that I've never before seen. Two DeKay's Brownsnakes were sunning on a log. Not sure how I saw them, they blended right in. They were relatively calm, and probably the smoothest-feeling snakes I've come across.
As far as plants go, Bloodroot was blooming all over woods.
A few days ago, I looked out my front window and saw a Male Turkey eating at the feeder! Safe to say thats the largest bird I've ever had at the feeder!
Then, yesterday, as I was doing yardwork, I walked right past it without realizing it was there. I was walking to the garage to get a shovel, I grabbed it and turned around and realized it was in the driveway. It slowly walked to the backyard and looked like it was heading into the woods.
Today, dozens of Painted Turtles were out sunning at the pond in the woods. Look how tan they are!
and a group of tadpoles were swimming around the lookout deck.
Lastly, I finally got a Peach tree. I've wanted on for years. I'm not sure how many years until it starts producing peaches, and really know nothing about how to take care of one, but I can't wait! Peaches straight off the tree taste unbelievable. I also bought a strawberry plant, and recently a blueberry bush, so when everything starts producing, I'll have some great food. I also plant peas and tomatoes each year.